This book of practical essays by Louis J. Beccaria, Ph.D. and Constance Carter, CFRE is filled with scores of helpful best-practice tips about leadership and grantmaking that have been learned through many years working with hundreds of nonprofit organizations and their leaders. Included are articles about the challenges and obstacles facing nonprofits today, suggestions about how to build and maintain effective and inspired boards of directors and committees, problem-solving strategies to use when issues arise, and a diverse collection of sample policies, documents, and planning aids. Also featured are essays about thoughtful grantmaking and “insider” advice for grant-seekers. Whether readers are new to the nonprofit sector or have decades of experience as leadership, volunteers or staff, this book will challenge your thinking and offer new ways of approaching old problems. What can the book give to you and your organization? Practical advice about recognizing and managing the challenges nonprofits face - Best practice tips on leadership, mergers, grantmaking, and strategic planning - Advice for grantseekers about foundations and working with grantmakers - Guidance about how to build and maintain effective boards of directors and committees - Tips for thoughtful and effective grantmaking - A toolkit of policies, documents, and planning aids that are essential for today’s nonprofit organizations. Kudos! Connie and Lou have teamed up to write a useful, time-tested, collection of insightful best practices. This is required reading for every nonprofit board member, as well as the CEOs and executive leadership who nurture board responsibilities. Karen Simmons, President/CEO, Chester County Community Foundation Nonprofits speak a language all their own. Nonprofit Excellence: Strategies for a Challenging World captures our realities and challenges plus provides guidance on how to be a better organization. The fact that our Board members and Leadership Team each have a copy of this wonderful resource enables us to have a shared understanding and vocabulary to continually improve as we work to fulfill our mission. Kris Keller, Executive Director, Orion Communities A great book of essays that would be valuable as a board and staff education tool. The essays provide practical guidance and good points for reflection and discussion. Assigning the board an essay to read and then, taking 10 to 15 minutes to discuss the contents at a board meeting will help keep the board invigorated and engaged.Patricia Mogan, Standards for Excellence Director, Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations Louis J. Beccaria, Ph. D., has 50 years of professional experience spanning government and nonprofit positions in criminal justice, health and human services, and higher education, including 30 years as a grant maker. Lou has also been an adjunct professor in nonprofit management at Eastern University and Villanova University. He has served as a consultant to nonprofit organizations and foundations and as a member of various nonprofit Boards for over 45 years. He also has 20 years’ experience as a local radio and public access TV talk show producer and host on community issues and has been recognized many times for his significant community service work. Constance Carter, CFRE, has 35 years of experience in nonprofit strategic planning, campaign management, fundraising, and organizational development, and 20 years’ experience as a teacher and workshop leader. She is a co-founder of Sylvia & Carter & Associates, a consulting firm dedicated to improving the quality of life through philanthropy and building the capacity of the nonprofit sector. She is skilled at developing creative strategies that lead to funding and in working with diverse groups, with a variety of needs and capabilities.