Top 10 Skills Every Nonprofit Executive Director Needs to Succeed — And How to Develop Them
The role of a nonprofit Executive Director (ED) is multifaceted and demanding. They are the visionary leaders, the chief fundraisers, the board liaisons, and the operational managers all rolled into one. To effectively guide an organization toward its mission and sustainability, an ED must possess a diverse skill set. Here are the top 10 skills every nonprofit Executive Director needs to thrive, along with ways to build those skills and trusted resources to help you grow.
1. Leadership and Vision
How to develop:
Attend leadership workshops or nonprofit leadership conferences.
Find a mentor or executive coach experienced in nonprofit leadership.
Read books on leadership like “Leaders Eat Last” by Simon Sinek or “The Nonprofit Leadership Transition and Development Guide” by Tom Adams.
Resources:
2. Fundraising and Resource Development
How to develop:
Participate in fundraising bootcamps or webinars.
Join local or national nonprofit associations with fundraising networks.
Practice donor cultivation and storytelling regularly.
Resources:
3. Financial Management
How to develop:
Take nonprofit finance courses focused on budgeting and accounting basics.
Work closely with your finance team or CFO to learn practical financial oversight.
Use financial management software designed for nonprofits.
Resources:
4. Board Relationship Management
How to develop:
Learn board governance principles and best practices.
Attend board retreats or workshops together with your board members.
Establish regular communication channels and clear expectations.
Resources:
5. Strategic Planning
How to develop:
Facilitate or participate in strategic planning sessions.
Use strategic planning frameworks like SWOT or Logic Models.
Seek training on nonprofit strategy development.
Resources:
6. Communication Skills
How to develop:
Join public speaking groups like Toastmasters.
Practice writing grant proposals, newsletters, and press releases.
Take courses in storytelling or media relations.
Resources:
7. Team Building and Staff Management
How to develop:
Learn performance management and feedback techniques.
Promote professional development opportunities for staff.
Foster a culture of trust and recognition.
Resources:
8. Program Oversight
How to develop:
Review program evaluation tools and best practices.
Engage with program staff regularly to understand challenges and successes.
Attend workshops on outcomes measurement.
Resources:
9. Adaptability and Problem-Solving
How to develop:
Practice scenario planning and crisis management drills.
Cultivate a growth mindset through reflection and learning from failures.
Take courses on change management.
Resources:
10. Advocacy and Community Engagement
How to develop:
Build relationships with local government and community leaders.
Attend advocacy training or policy workshops.
Participate in coalitions or networks focused on your cause.
Resources:
Final Thoughts
Being a nonprofit Executive Director requires constant learning and skill-building across many domains. By proactively developing these core skills and leveraging trusted resources, you can lead your organization to greater impact and sustainability.
Sheena Link is a grantwriter, nonprofit strategist, and the Co-Founder & COO of PureGrant. After years of writing grant applications, supporting EDs, and managing process improvement efforts, she helped build PureGrant to make the grantwriting process faster, smarter, and less painful for nonprofits. She writes about funding strategy, nonprofit careers, and what actually works in real-world development offices. She can be reached at sheena@puregrant.com.