Habits Eat Goals for Breakfast

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for setting goals and making resolutions, and we have plenty of both at Good Works and in the Kouri household!

But implementing and sticking with healthy habits seems to contribute more meaningfully to good organizations becoming great, as it's those regular habits that add up over time to help us reach our desired outcomes. So we thought we'd share a few of the most common habits we've found in the most healthy and impactful of nonprofits.

1. Healthy Nonprofits Meet Together Well

Weekly team meetings, regular supervisor check-ins, in-person board meetings, annual planning retreats, consistent client check-ins, and similar intentional gatherings are the lifeblood of your organization’s work, as they create space for building relationships and fostering community. We should regularly re-evaluate how effectively we use meetings and make changes to promote meaningful togetherness.

2. Healthy Nonprofits Track Things Well

Accurate financial accounting, robust donor data, consistent client impact measurement, and employee performance tracking all lay the foundation for healthy organizational decision-making. We should master these fundamental practices to propel us to greater mission achievement.

3. Healthy Nonprofits Practice Gratitude Well

Frequent donor thank-you's, regular recounting of client success stories, team time spent on thanksgiving, and giving gifts to staff and volunteers all foster a culture or gratitude and generosity, which create a virtuous circle for your ministry. We should ensure that gratitude infuses our daily work and habits.