Leader Spotlight: Leading product in a nonprofit organization, with Don Boulia

Leader Spotlight: Leading product in a nonprofit organization, with Don Boulia

Transitioning to Nonprofit Environment:

Don Boulia shares his experience transitioning from product management in for-profit organizations to a nonprofit environment at Charity Navigator. He discusses the unique challenges and considerations when measuring success in a nonprofit setting, where the focus is on furthering the mission while also ensuring sustainable revenue generation.

Measuring Success Metrics:

In a nonprofit organization like Charity Navigator, success metrics go beyond revenue and profit margins. Don and his team track metrics related to the impact on their audience, number of people reached, and effectiveness in promoting top-rated nonprofits. Balancing the mission with revenue goals requires a nuanced approach to performance evaluation.

Stakeholder Engagement:

Identifying and engaging stakeholders is crucial in a nonprofit setting. Charity Navigator considers donors, nonprofits, and foundations as key stakeholders, each with unique interests and contributions to the organization's mission. Understanding the diverse stakeholder landscape guides decision-making and product development efforts.

Introducing Product Management:

Don's initial steps in introducing product management at Charity Navigator involved creating a roadmap to visualize priorities and resource allocation. While the organization already had a product owner role, establishing a roadmap helped in clarifying project timelines and dependencies, enabling better decision-making around capacity and project prioritization.

ROI and Impact Assessment:

Product management in a nonprofit organization focuses on evaluating the return on investment in terms of both financial outcomes and mission advancement. Don emphasizes the importance of continuously assessing the impact of product decisions on revenue generation, audience reach, and overall mission alignment.