The grantmaking community has a saying, “Once you’ve met one foundation, you’ve met… one foundation.” I think you’ll agree that no two foundations are alike. I would argue that the same can be said about nonprofits. For example, one education nonprofit is usually vastly different than its peers – different curriculum and different approaches; different client focus and communities served; different business model and financial resources. Each nonprofit also has different executives with different tenures, leadership styles, and ideas about how their transition will play out.

According to BoardSource, the U.S. leader in nonprofit governance tools and resources, “the type of transition influences the challenges involved and the strategy the board will adopt to manage the process…” Identifying the specific type of transition an organization is experiencing can help staff more effectively understand its nuances, manage the transition’s challenges, and capitalize on its unique opportunities. BoardSource uses an extensive range of tools, resources, and research data to increase board effectiveness and strengthen organizational impact. The graphic below outlines BoardSource’s five classic examples of leadership transitions. For a more detailed description of each example, click here.

Once you understand the type of transition you’re experiencing and start to plan your executive transition, we invite you to consider these questions in context with your nonprofit unique situation.
 Has your board approved a succession policy and a plan to handle sudden and planned
transitions? Is your nonprofit covered in case of an emergency?
 Has the board recently reviewed executive’s job description and compensation? What
additional financial resources may be necessary to attract a new CEO?
 How well organized is your nonprofit’s donor database? Is information about the status
of different grants and funder relationships easily accessible to the new CEO?
 Who will manage the organization’s existing funder relationships during the transition?
What steps will be taken to maintain communication following the CEO’s departure?
 Is a stakeholder communications plan in place to reassure funders that the transition will
have minimal disruption to the organization’s programs?

Author Carlyn Madden is a passionate supporter of nonprofits, with over a decade of experience working in the areas of arts and culture, education, and human services. She consults on executive search, strategy development, and capacity building. Her blog is reposted with permission from ELEVATE

If your nonprofit needs or is considering interim leadership during a transition, please contact with Interim Executive Network today.