How to Brainstorm for Ideas for a Nonprofit Company

Each member of the brainstroming team offers his opinion.

A nonprofit organization shares a few ideals with other companies. One of these shared ideals is the need for a focused plan. Taking a broad goal and turning it into that focused plan involves thinking strategies. Considering the old idiom, two heads is better than one, you come to the conclusion that a group of thinkers will come up with ideas faster and be more focused than an individual. One of the most effective group planning sessions is called brainstorming. During brainstorming sessions, the members of the team all offer opinions so the group can make a decision.

Instructions

1. Choose your brainstorming team members. Pick a decision maker, someone who is hands-on with the process and someone who is outside the process to give you a fresh look.

2. Meet with your team in a private spot. This area must be free of distractions to ensure an uninterrupted flow of ideas.

3. Set the goals for the meeting. Listen to each team member's input and collectively decide the direction you will take.

4. Break down the goals into steps. Discuss each step individually. Let each member give input. Write down every idea so you can come back to it.

5. Narrow the focus of your discussion each time you come back to it. The purpose of brainstorming is to turn large ideas into focused plans.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid infighting at your brainstorming sessions. Change the members of your team if the sessions are unproductive because members become argumentative.

References

• Fundraiser Cyberzine; Fundraising Idea of the Month: Brainstorming; Doug Nash; 2010