The week we explore nonprofit startup best practices and frankly, the ideas work for new programs of existing nonprofits as well. My guest is Robert G. Ottenhoff, president and CEO of the Center for Disaster Philanthropy in Washington, D.C. The Center was highlighted in The Chronicle of Philanthropy in December as one of five “nonprofit high points of 2012.” Bob has been on the show a few times but it was in his former role as the leader of Guidestar, an online information source about nonprofits.
Bob and I discuss his new organization’s vision and how he’s developing services that help community and foundation leaders respond with certainty and alacrity to natural disasters. He describes start-up best practices he’s using and also, common mistakes startups often make. It’s a fascinating conversation about the challenges of starting a non profit and the world of disaster response.