It's not enough for nonprofit leaders to simply lead, says author Brinckerhoff. They must also act as stewards of the money and other resources entrusted by the community they serve. The concept of stewardship should guide the decisions of the leader and other decision makers in the organization.
Another way to look at the issue of stewardship, he says, is to understand that no contributor gives your organization a dime. Whether it is the United Way, the government, or individuals, donors are paying you to provide a service. It is the organization's imperative to make sure it is providing those services in the most efficient manner possible, and that decisions and spending stay true to the mission (a familiar lesson from Brinckerhoff's previous book, Mission-Based Management: Leading Your Not-For-Profit in the 21st Century).
This book is written to be used. Readers are encouraged to read it in book club fashion, with management, the board, and staff reading concurrently. Each chapter ends with questions for discussion that can help open the debate on real-life organizational issues.—Manda Salls