Why now? Why Cook Silverman?

I remember being in elementary school in the Midwest when the sirens would go off and we would be ushered single file into the long hallways to sit on the floor with our hands over our heads. We were waiting for the tornado to come and wreak havoc over the city - rip the roof off of buildings, destroy farms and businesses, take people’s lives, and often cause irreparable damage. I remember the feeling of being a child and sitting next to my classmates, far from my parents, hearing the sirens, hands over my head, feeling scared and wondering what would happen next…what would the world look like when the tornado passed, and we emerged?

Within five minutes of the first “shelter in place” order (thank you Governor Newsom!), my email started pinging every few minutes with questions, requests, and comments.  There was a flurry of emails from nonprofit execs and consultants asking for references for good grant writers – specifically those with government grant experience. There were conversations and email with clients and candidates regarding their respective searches.  There were emails from friends and family asking how this pandemic would affect our business. 

Almost immediately, it seemed everyone jumped on the bandwagon and started posting their opinions on how nonprofits could and should weather this seemingly never-ending storm. Tips and tools for successfully hosting an online event, recommendations for rebranding and re-messaging so that an organization can continue to fundraise, advice from experts on whether to slow the campaign, or put it on hold. Government funding options, unemployment resources, self-help classes, online classes, online meetings, online performances, happy hours, book club meetings, religious gatherings and more.  

What does all this have to do with job searches you may ask? It helps emphasize the importance of the best use of your valuable resources and, that if you are able to properly convey your case for support, you can and should be raising money – now more than ever.

Time is money.  

We at Cook Silverman Search are experts in the nonprofit executive recruitment space, and we can make your life easier, and produce a more cost-effective solution for you. Recruiting is an extremely time-consuming proposition. Executive Directors and board chairs/members need to focus on the most important work right now – maintaining relationships with donors and friends and evaluating the efficacy and relevance of your programs in this changing environment. Planning and playing out scenarios based on different realities, is critical to your successful future, not placing ads and reading hundreds of resumes.

We know that nonprofit executives are unique and require special vetting and evaluation. Cook Silverman prides itself on many things, but among the most important – our team hails from a nonprofit background, and has raised money for nonprofits for all, or part of their career. I personally spent more than thirty years raising hundreds of millions of dollars, during some of the most challenging economic and politically charged times this country has faced.  

• We know the challenges you face.

• We know who the candidates are.  

• We know what questions to ask.  

• We know what answers to expect.

I am a chronic optimist and a planner – I always have been. And while this pandemic evokes those childhood memories of sitting in the long hallways, waiting, fearing, and wondering what would happen next, it also reminds me of the excitement I felt over imagining the future.