AtoZ Blog

What Interim Leaders See That Internal Teams Often Miss

Every nonprofit develops habits, processes, and ways of working over time. Many of these systems serve the organization well, and some become so familiar that staff and leadership stop noticing them altogether because they're so embedded in the organization. That familiarity can make it difficult to see risk, inefficiencies, or opportunities for improvement, all of which will be revealed when a leadership transition starts. This is one of the unique advantages that interim leaders bring to an organization. Because they enter with fresh eyes and without years of history attached… Read More »

The Staffing Risk You Don’t See Until Someone Takes a Vacation

We all know the importance of staff taking time off. PTO is important for employee well-being, retention, and preventing burnout. But when summer vacations, parental leave, and other absences are in full swing, it often reveals issues that have been hiding in plain sight: too much organizational knowledge lives with one person. It usually starts with a simple question. A team member is out for a week, and suddenly no one knows how to run a report, process a donor acknowledgment, update a database field, or access a critical document.… Read More »

What Becomes Possible When You’re Not Rushing to Fill a Leadership Vacancy?

When a key leadership position opens, it's natural to feel pressure to fill it quickly. Boards worry about momentum. Staff worry about workload. Funders and donors want reassurance that the organization remains stable. But rushing to hire often creates its own risks. One of the greatest benefits of interim leadership support is that it gives organizations the time and space to make thoughtful decisions. Without the pressure of an immediate hire, organizations can take a step back and evaluate the role itself. Has the position evolved over time? Are there… Read More »

Why Interim Development Support Can Prevent Missed Opportunities

Development work doesn’t pause during leadership transitions. Campaign deadlines still approach, donor relationships still need attention, and revenue goals remain in place. When a Development Director or senior fundraising leader leaves, even temporarily, the gap can quickly lead to missed opportunities if not addressed. Consistency matters in fundraising, and lapses in communication or follow-up can weaken trust. Interim development leaders step in to maintain these relationships, ensuring donors continue to feel engaged and valued during periods of transition. Interim support also helps protect revenue momentum. Experienced interim professionals can oversee… Read More »

Two Years at A to Z Staffing: Growing Alongside the Nonprofit Community

In May 2024, Nonprofit Professionals Now (NPN) officially separated its flexible staffing services into a dedicated organization: A to Z Staffing. What began as an operational change has since become an important evolution in how we support nonprofits and mission-driven organizations throughout our community. By creating A to Z Staffing as its own organization, we were able to adopt a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) model that provides stronger HR infrastructure and better support for our temporary employee pool. This shift also gave us the flexibility to expand our staffing services… Read More »

How Temporary Staff Maintain Stability During Summer Absences

On paper, summer can seem like a slow time of year for nonprofits. But when staff take well-deserved PTO, schedules become less predictable, and decision-making can slow as key team members rotate in and out. While the pace may shift in summer, the work doesn't stop, and you can quickly find your organization struggling with a gap in coverage. When multiple team members are out, even routine tasks like approvals, reporting, or donor communication can stall. Remaining staff often absorb extra responsibilities, which can lead to frustration and uneven workloads.… Read More »

Page 1 of 12 pages  1 2 3 >  Last ›