--- title: "Principle Impact: Maximize Performance with Principles for Nonprofit Leaders | Leadership" description: Leadership | Learn about principles for success as a foundation for collaborations, opportunities, and maximum mission impact. --- [Skip to content](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership#main-content) ![EIMG stone pyramid](https://extendedimpact.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EIMG%20stone%20pyramid.jpg?width=500&height=500&name=EIMG%20stone%20pyramid.jpg) - [Home](https://extendedimpact.com/) - [About](https://extendedimpact.com/about) - [Contact](https://extendedimpact.com/contact) - [Services](https://extendedimpact.com/services) Show submenu for Services - [My Biz Dev Revenue Strategist](https://extendedimpact.com/services/my-bd-revenue-advisor) - [My Fractional Project Manager](https://extendedimpact.com/services/fractional-consulting) - [My Extended Enterprise](https://extendedimpact.com/services/quarterbacked-relations) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Home](https://extendedimpact.com/) - [About](https://extendedimpact.com/about) - [Contact](https://extendedimpact.com/contact) - [Services](https://extendedimpact.com/services) Show submenu for Services - [My Biz Dev Revenue Strategist](https://extendedimpact.com/services/my-bd-revenue-advisor) - [My Fractional Project Manager](https://extendedimpact.com/services/fractional-consulting) - [My Extended Enterprise](https://extendedimpact.com/services/quarterbacked-relations) - [Contact us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/don207/lets-connect) [Contact us](https://meetings.hubspot.com/don207/lets-connect) # Blog Be principles-based and maximize your impact. [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/Iceberg%20with%20Hidden%20Elements%20Below%20Water.png)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-real-reason-nonprofits-struggle-to-grow) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [The Real Reason Nonprofits Struggle to Grow](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-real-reason-nonprofits-struggle-to-grow) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Apr 9, 2026 7:46:45 PM Let’s start with a statement that might feel a little uncomfortable. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-real-reason-nonprofits-struggle-to-grow) [![Principles to fuel your fundraising and grow your nonprofit.](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/A%20sign%20with%20the%20phrase%20Foundation%20before%20fundraising%20%20be%20fundable%20and%20findable%20first-1.png)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/20-steps-to-fuel-fundraising) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Fundraising](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/fundraising) ## [20 Steps to Fuel Fundraising](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/20-steps-to-fuel-fundraising) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 6, 2026 4:54:16 PM The last five blog posts have concentrated on strategy, clarity, alignment, and fundraising tactics. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/20-steps-to-fuel-fundraising) [![Strategy is clarity (credit to Nick Curum)](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Strategy%20is%20clarity.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-power-of-strategic-clarity) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact) ## [The Power of Strategic Clarity](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-power-of-strategic-clarity) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Feb 15, 2026 1:22:15 PM Why Getting Your Strategy Right is the Ultimate Competitive Advantage [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-power-of-strategic-clarity) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/4%20Quadrants.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/clarity-alignment-and-communications) [Strategy](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/strategy), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Fundraising](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/fundraising) ## [Clarity, Alignment, and Communications](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/clarity-alignment-and-communications) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Aug 1, 2025 11:39:24 AM Hello. It has been a while since my last post. Took a little hiatus. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/clarity-alignment-and-communications) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20depicts%20the%208020%20principle%20and%20its%20fractal%20nature%20with%2080%20of%2080%20and%2020%20of%2020%20inside%20each%20other%20and%20generating%2016x%2064x%20250x%201000x%204000x%20the%20results%20with%20less%20time%20effort%20and%20money%20invested-1.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/80/20-everything) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [80/20 Everything!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/80/20-everything) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) May 15, 2025 4:31:14 PM These days, it seems we are all expected to do more with less. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/80/20-everything) [![Sifting for opportunities image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/The%20image%20portrays%20a%20serene%20sunlit%20garden%20filled%20with%20lush%20green%20plants%20and%20vibrant%20flowers%20in%20full%20bloom%20In%20the%20center%20a%20man%20kneels%20by%20a%20small%20stream%20his%20fingers%20sifting%20through%20the%20soft%20white%20sands%20revealing%20glimmers%20of%20diamonds%20that%20catch%20the%20ligh-1.jpeg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/principles) ## [Uncover Your Own "Acres of Diamonds"](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Apr 13, 2025 1:59:04 PM And now for another Impact Principle. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/uncover-your-own-acres-of-diamonds) [![The "charity" elephant in the room."](https://media.licdn.com/dms/image/v2/D4E22AQEp3ppwT3HLgQ/feedshare-shrink_800/feedshare-shrink_800/0/1705909153385?e=1744848000&v=beta&t=gTeiRrokqKbq482w_17WgmLyPYSaBRWN7qiXzJ6MNtA)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership) ## [The elephant in the room!](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 13, 2025 12:11:30 PM We all want to work in optimized organizations. You know enterprises that are high-performers and op... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-elephant-in-the-room) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/What%20gets%20measured%2c%20gets%20managed.webp)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [What gets measured, gets managed.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Jul 30, 2024 12:19:10 PM You need to track and measure activities, performance, and outcomes. This allows you to know if you ... [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/what-gets-measured-gets-managed) [![Lipstick on a pig image](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/Lipstick%20on%20a%20pig.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Systems](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/systems) ## [Don't put lipstick on a pig.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 28, 2024 5:27:47 PM Let me first share a personal story. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/dont-put-lipstick-on-a-pig) [![](https://extendedimpact.com/hubfs/The%20obstacle%20is%20the%20path.jpg)](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) [Key Principles](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/key-principles), [Leadership](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership), [Impact](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/impact) ## [The obstacle is the path.](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) ![Picture of Don Stephenson](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/ad16b434abce58fa4657cf2b515cc35f) [Don Stephenson](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/author/don-stephenson) Mar 15, 2024 2:59:07 PM This is one of the first core principles I ever followed. It is one of my favorites. [Read more](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/the-obstacle-is-the-path) First Prev [1](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership) [2](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership/page/2) [Next](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership/page/2) [Last](https://extendedimpact.com/en/principle-impact/tag/leadership/page/2) ## Access a Fractional Philanthropic Strategist Get help spotting opportunities and solving problems. Increase your capabilities and fine-tune strategies and execution. 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