If your organization offers life memberships, how do you manage the program so that those members remain involved and continue to benefit the organization?

MinnPost and Philanthropy Potluck report on a prediction that the 2009-2010 biennium will begin with a $2 billion deficit for the State of Minnesota. Solving that problem will most likely result in tough choices that could restrict funding as in 2003-2004 when the state suffered a $4.5 billion deficit. Therefore, two questions: 1) have you had any early indications of what your local government partners are considering regarding your funding? and 2) what are some measures you are taking now to avoid severe financial problems that could begin next summer?

Scott Russell covered “Nonprofits discuss how to improve their credibility” recently for MinnPost. Although the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Charity Review Council forum he cites looks at nonprofits in general, the observations are instructive for nonprofit historical organizations. On the one hand for historical organizations is the comfort of the often cited statistic that historical museums are perceived by the public as the most trustworthy source of history (”Presence of the Past,” by Roy Rosensweig and David Thelen), and the forum showed that the public trusts nonprofits with making better use of financial resources more than government and business. However, there is concern that the level of trust is only 72 percent. History museums seem to take public trust very seriously for all aspects of operation. To help in many of those aspects, the American Associaiton for State and Local History is piloting a Self-Assessment project to further ensure at least minimum standards are used through a graduated system.

Without worrying about other museums, what are some ways that you and your organization seek to bolster public trust in the communities that you serve? Have you seen improved results from users after making a change to improve trust?