Listed resources are ones that have been developed by Wendy Lazarus and Laurie Lipper or that Kids Impact has found particularly helpful. This is an evolving list as we identify new resources to add.
Articles/Webinars
“Insights From a Nonprofit Leadership Transition: Practical Ideas to Ensure a Successful Handoff to the Next Generation” (2017)
Laurie Lipper and Wendy Lazarus outline several approaches to assist long-time executives facilitating a transition while still running an organization day to day. See the related Checklist for Executives.
“The Leadership in Leaving” (2013)
From the Building Movement Project, this report focuses on how nonprofit leaders, in this case long-term leaders, make a leadership decision about when to leave.
“The Long Goodbye: Advice, How-Tos and Cautionary Tales for Extended Leadership Exits” (2016)
This report from the Building Movement Project aims to assist organizations and their leaders in devising practical solutions for managing an extended executive exit.
“Table for Two: Can Founders & Successors Co-Exist So Everyone Wins?” (2009)
The Management Assistance Group provides case studies and analysis of organizations where founders remained on board after a leadership transition.
“Making Founder Successions Work” (2018)
In this article from the Stanford Social Innovation Review, authors Jari Tuomala, Donald Yeh, and Katie Smith Milway explore the notion that nonprofits benefit when they plan an “extended role” for founders who transition out of their leadership role.
“Six Strategies for Nonprofit Leadership Transition: How to successfully hand off your organization to the next generation” (2017)
In the Stanford Social Innovation Review, Laurie Lipper and Wendy Lazarus detail the lessons learned from their successful leadership transition.
“Flying Monkeys: Organizational Considerations in an Executive Transition” (2013)
Tom Ford Webb’s article in Nonprofit Quarterly discusses how an executive transition provides an organization with a unique opportunity to take an honest look at itself.
Nonprofit Leadership Transitions and Organizational Sustainability: An Updated Approach that Changes the Landscape (Webinar) (2017)
In this webinar, Jeanne Bell and Tom Adams discuss new ways to think about leadership succession and what it means for a nonprofit organization.
Publications
Blue Avocado
This newsletter of American Nonprofits, a membership organization, provides practical, provocative, and fun food-for-thought for nonprofits.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy
An independent news organization, The Chronicle offers news, advice, resources, and career listings for nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, grantmakers, and others involved in the philanthropic enterprise.
Nonprofit Quarterly
Nonprofit Quarterly publishes the latest nonprofit news and trends affecting philanthropy, charities, nonprofit, and 501(C)(3) organizations.
Stanford Social Innovation Review
This website and magazine informs and inspires millions of social change leaders at nonprofits, businesses, and governments around the world.
Organizations
BoardSource
Comprised of a network of leaders from across the social sector, BoardSource provides resources and inspiration for leaders of nonprofit organizations.
Building Movement Project
The Building Movement Project provides research, tools, training materials, and opportunities for partnership that bolster nonprofit organizations’ ability to support the voice and power of the people they serve.
CompassPoint
This national nonprofit leadership and strategy practice helps leaders, organizations, and movements committed to social justice realize their full power through research, consulting, publishing, and other methods.
Grantmakers for Effective Organizations
This nonprofit helps grantmakers turn their desire to improve into real progress through research, peer sharing, and publications.
Management Assistance Group (MAG)
MAG strengthens individuals, organizations, and networks to bring about transformative change. It offers consulting, coaching, facilitation, and other services.