Cooper Consulting Services, LLC

03/16/2026

In this edition of Mission Matters, we continue the difficult conversations series and emphasize the importance of creating space for these essential discussions. We are also highlighting the Community Foundation of West Central Illinois and Northeast Missouri, along with the concept of fractional leadership.

There's a question I ask boards I work with: "What are you not talking about?" The silence tells me everything. Not because boards lack smart, committed people.

01/03/2026

I'm proud to share that I've officially wrapped up 2025 by achieving certification as a Nonprofit Governance Consultant by BoardSource!

This certification process has deepened my expertise in best practices for nonprofit board leadership, strategic governance, and organizational effectiveness. It reinforces my commitment to empowering nonprofit organizations to achieve their missions through strong, effective, and engaged boards.

As the demand for engaged governance continues to grow in the nonprofit sector, I am more equipped than ever to provide tailored guidance and support in areas such as:

Board development and recruitment

Strategic planning facilitation

Governance assessments and best practices

Board education and training

Succession planning for boards and leadership

I look forward to leveraging this knowledge to further assist my clients in building resilient, impactful, and mission-driven organizations in 2026 and beyond.

Thank you to BoardSource for this incredible program and to my clients and colleagues for their continued trust and support.

01/03/2026

Happy New Year from Cooper Consulting Services! ✨

Cheers to 2026! We’re so grateful to have you as part of our community. Thank you for supporting our company over the past year—we couldn't have done it without you.

We hope your 2026 is filled with joy, health, and plenty of reasons to celebrate.

🎆 Tell us: What’s one thing you’re looking forward to this year?

#2026

11/14/2025

Part of my role as a nonprofit leader and consultant is engaging in the conversations that drive the work so many organizations do on the ground.

Over the past two months, I've had difficult, stressful, angry and yet hopeful discussions with nonprofit leaders about food security in their communities as well as across the U.S. No matter the location, the themes are consistent.

Being vocal, preparing contingency plans, and standing firm in our commitment that we won't let community members go hungry—that's both brave and nonnegotiable. And it's exactly what nonprofit leaders are doing every day.

Organizations like Alliance to End Hunger excel at bringing professionals together from across the country to address hunger in real time. They provide practical research, actionable strategies, innovative solutions, and meaningful connection opportunities. If you're working in this space, I highly recommend checking them out.

If you're a nonprofit leader focused on food security and aren't yet tapped into these resources, let's connect. We're all in this together.

10/15/2025

✔️Read our latest newsletter on LinkedIn or www.cooperconsulting.online/newsletters for insights on board candidate interview prep, Mission Matters organizational spotlight of DC KinCare Alliance, an upcoming webinar and more.

🌟 This week's edition discusses what every nonprofit board candidate should know when considering a board position, Mission Matters monthly highlight of DC KINCARE ALLIANCE, upcoming webinar and more. Click the link to read the latest, like, share and comment! ...

10/14/2025

10 Questions to Ask Before Joining a Nonprofit Board

☎️ Have you been on the receiving end of a call from a colleague and the conversation goes like this, "Hey, I'm on a nonprofit board and we're looking for a board member. I thought this might be the perfect fit for you if you're interested."

You agree to talk to the board chair or executive director, and you find yourself listening to their pitch with nothing to say. Did you walk out without knowing anything about the organization? Was it because you weren't really interested or more importantly, you didn't know the right questions to ask? 😬

It's a common scenario: You leave a board interview committing to serve, but a few months in, you realize you signed up for something totally different than you expected. You're not alone!

⭐ Joining a nonprofit board is one of the most rewarding ways to make a real impact, but it's also a significant commitment of your time, expertise, and resources. You deserve to know exactly what you're stepping into.

⭐ I created a FREE checklist of 10 essential questions that every potential board member should ask before they say "yes."

These questions go beyond the basics. They help you uncover:
🔵 The true financial health of the organization.
🔵 The actual time commitment and expectations.
🔵 The board's current skill gaps and where your expertise is truly needed.

Don't just join a board; join the right board.

Click here: https://www.cooperconsulting.online/downloads to grab your free copy and walk into your next interview prepared to make a smart, informed decision!

10/02/2025

What is a tangible benefit to being connected on social media platforms?

👏 Opportunities.

I am excited to announce that I have been accepted into the Milestone Circles program at the Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center! Milestone Circles is a 12-week program that provides entrepreneurs with the access, resources, and knowledge they need to grow.

As my own business continues to grow, I am thrilled to be able to participate in this program with other entrepreneurs. Community and mentorship are some key values to my own professional growth and I'm excited to be a part of the program.

Thankful that this program is supported and underwritten for entrepreneurs through the generous support of the Wells Fargo Foundation. A special thanks to Lakeya Cherry, DSW, MSSW, PCC and others for sharing this opportunity!

Want to learn more? Click here for more details: https://lnkd.in/grsvXT64

10/02/2025

Is your nonprofit a recipient of federal funds?

✔️ Were you a board member or nonprofit executive that woke up this morning to your coffee and the news of a government shutdown?

✔️ Did you take yourself into the office with your implementation plan or did you make a phone call to your CEO asking how you could help? Or did you whisper to yourself, "now what"?

➡️ If your answer is no, you're not alone.

➡️ Statistics show that 60-80% of nonprofits that receive federal funding may not have enough funds on hand if their funding was frozen or delayed. Instead of walking in with clarity and direction, you're dragging in stress and upheaval.

➡️ Having a plan to mitigate crisis is often an overlooked strategy in the nonprofit sector. You're so busy trying to diversify funding, overseeing operations, keeping donors and community members engaged and answering all the emails and calls that crisis prevention often happens in real time. Board leadership often find themselves placing all of the responsibility on the executive, not because they want to, but because the conversation hasn't happened in the board meetings or as one-on-ones.

➡️ If this sounds like your day, like it was for many others, let's connect. No nonprofit leader or board member should start their day trying to put out fires (that already happens without a threat of a shutdown). If you need to know how to create your plan, reach out. We're all in this crisis together.

09/24/2025

💡 Quick thought for the day...

🖋️ Leadership is less about leading from the front and more about building the bridge for others to cross. The journey to a shared goal is only possible when we create a path for everyone to walk together.

🖋️ This means more than just setting a goal; it means clearing the obstacles, providing the right tools, and reinforcing the structure so everyone feels confident in their steps. A truly impactful leader doesn't just show the way—they make the way safer and more accessible for the entire team.

💡 What bridges are you building for your team today?

09/22/2025

Lately I've been asked, "What are fractional executive director services?" The conversations usually start because a nonprofit is facing a new set of hiring challenges in today's environment.

The time is right for nonprofits to consider an untraditional leadership model. Why?

✔️ Financial Pressure: With donations shifting and revenue for benefits being less of a certainty, nonprofits need to make every dollar count. A fractional model provides top-tier leadership without the burden of a full-time salary and benefits.

✔️ Constant Crises: The nonprofit sector is often reactive, managing one crisis after another. A fractional ED brings an objective, strategic perspective to help you get ahead of challenges and build a plan for long-term sustainability.

✔️ The War for Talent: Attracting and retaining top talent is harder than ever. By offering a flexible, part-time leadership role, you can access a pool of highly skilled professionals who might not be available for a full-time position.

Enter the fractional executive director.

Imagine having an experienced leader guiding your mission and team, but on a flexible, part-time basis.
This model provides:
📌 Cost Savings: Get top-tier talent without the full-time salary and overhead.
📌 Strategic Implementation: Drive key initiatives with an objective, expert perspective.
📌 Capacity Building: Bolster your team's skills for specific projects or long-term growth.

Ready to explore a flexible, cost-effective way to lead your nonprofit into the future? Let's connect to discuss how a fractional executive might just be your answer!

09/21/2025

📌The latest newsletter article is out..check it out here:

🌶️ The latest newsletter article is out and it's spicy. This edition reveals how women over 50 bring a wealth of experience to the table that can’t be taught in a classroom. It's time to stop viewing age as a liability and start seeing it for what it is—a competitive advantage. Are you over...

09/20/2025

🛣️ I'm heeding my own advice I give to executive leaders: it's not enough to work hard; you also have to prioritize your own well-being to avoid burnout.

🛣️ Taking a break isn't a luxury; it's a necessary step in making sure you can continue to show up as your best self for your team and your work. See you all in a few days, refreshed and ready!