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For Current Nonprofit COOs 

Articles and tools on this page have been specially selected for those currently serving in the capacity of a chief operating officer within a nonprofit organization (or similar role). As you navigate your often complex role within your organization we hope you find these resources helpful.

Getting Started:

Bridgestar Networking Resources for COOs

Learn about Bridgestar’s networking resources for chief operating officers: the Boston COO Group and the national COO LinkedIn group. Read more

The Executive Director: The COO’s Most Important Partner

For an organization to run smoothly, the ED and COO must act as a unit. While some bumps in the road are always to be expected in such a complex and dynamic relationship, there are things you can look for in the job search process to avoid a potentially problematic pairing, as well as approaches you can use on the job to help make the ED relationship you are in work better. Read more >

From Second in Command to Chief Executive: How Big a Leap?

Many experienced chief operating officers of nonprofit organizations aspire to become chief executive officers or executive directors. That said, these individuals are in a better position than most candidates to see that the top job has challenges of its own and that the two positions are very different. Read more >

How to Develop Yourself as a Nonprofit Leader

Six senior nonprofit leaders who have spent their entire careers in the nonprofit sector offer advice to mid-level nonprofit managers looking to move into senior nonprofit leadership roles. Read more >

Managing in a Tough Economy: How Nonprofit Leaders and Their Organizations Are Facing the Uncertainty

Facing tough economic times, some nonprofit chief financial officers and chief operating officers share how they are aggressively managing costs while keeping the lines of communication open with their organizations’ stakeholders. Read more >

Nonprofit COOs: Where to Turn for Support

Nonprofit chief operating officer (COO) roles vary widely, and so do the resources they use to gain advice. The key to finding support is in tapping a variety of resources and choosing the ones that work best for the individual COO. Read more >

RAPID Decision-Making

Learn about a tool called RAPID that has been highly effective in improving the decision-making process at nonprofits. Read more >





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