About the Axelson Center

 Top-performing nonprofits are driven by a clear, compelling mission that guides all activities and programs. They regularly revisit their mission to ensure it reflects evolving community needs and remains relevant. 

Strong organizations: 

• Clearly state their purpose in a focused mission statement 
• Align all programs and activities with that mission 
• Periodically review and update their mission and strategy 
• Evaluate programs using both quantitative and qualitative data, with culturally sensitive methods 
• Use evaluation results to improve effectiveness 
• Deliver measurable impact on real human or community needs 

Ongoing assessment ensures the organization stays mission-focused and responsive. 

Strong nonprofits are guided by skilled, diverse, and engaged leadership—at both the board and executive levels. Effective collaboration between the board and senior leadership is essential to mission success.

High-performing organizations:

• Reflect diversity, equity, and inclusion across board, staff, and leadership 
• Build boards with the skills, experience, and lived expertise needed to advance the mission 
• Expect board members to contribute time, talent, and financial support 
• Engage boards in strategic planning and mission-aligned decision-making 
• Establish clear governance policies, including board procedures and term limits 
• Support board development through training, evaluation, and succession planning 
• Regularly evaluate the CEO’s performance and organizational fit 
• Ensure senior leaders have the experience and values to lead effectively 
• Maintain a strong, collaborative relationship between the board and executive leadership 
• Plan for leadership transitions to ensure long-term stability 

Leadership and governance rooted in collaboration, accountability, and inclusivity drive sustained organizational impact.

Mission-driven nonprofits thrive when they pair clear strategy with a culture of innovation. Top organizations adapt to change, pursue continuous improvement, and seize new opportunities.

Strong organizations:

• Develop a clear, actionable strategy aligned with their mission
• Use performance indicators to assess both strategy and program effectiveness
• Regularly review and adapt strategy in response to internal and external shifts
• Grow programs efficiently to meet evolving community needs
• Gather feedback from service recipients to drive ongoing improvement
• Encourage innovation across systems, programs, and partnerships
• Create space for learning, including learning from failure
• Value and elevate ideas from underrepresented voices
• Explore partnerships across nonprofit, for-profit, and government sectors

Strategy and innovation go hand in hand—fueling relevance, responsiveness, and long-term impact.

People are at the heart of every nonprofit’s mission. High-performing organizations invest in staff and volunteers through supportive policies, fair practices, and an inclusive, empowering culture.

Strong nonprofits: 

• Maintain board-approved personnel policies and clear job descriptions
• Conduct regular performance evaluations
• Offer professional development and prioritize diverse, equitable hiring and retention
• Create succession plans for senior leadership roles
• Define roles and responsibilities across all organizational levels
• Use up-to-date org charts that reflect current structure
• Benchmark compensation and plan salaries thoughtfully
• Ensure fair, transparent processes for hiring, promotion, and advancement

When people are valued and supported, the entire organization thrives.

Financial health is essential to mission success and long-term sustainability. Strong nonprofits build systems that promote transparency, accountability, and adaptability.

Top-performing organizations:

• Develop an annual board-approved budget to guide operations
• Provide timely, accurate financial reporting to stakeholders
• Undergo annual audits by a Certified Public Accountant
• Maintain clear financial policies, including internal controls and investment practices
• Monitor financial performance through strategic cash flow management, risk assessment, and key financial ratios
• Align practices with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP)

Financial strength isn’t just about numbers—it’s about ensuring resources are used wisely to advance the mission.

Transparency and ethical leadership build public trust and long-term success. Nonprofits must model integrity in every aspect of their work.

Strong organizations: 

• Share clear, accessible information about their mission, programs, and finances
• Maintain responsive communication with the public
• Implement and regularly enforce conflict of interest policies
• Conduct periodic internal reviews to ensure compliance with legal and reporting requirements

A culture of accountability reinforces credibility and deepens stakeholder confidence.

Larry Anderson
Retired CFO
Covenant Ministries of Benevolence

David Bea
Principal
Bea & VandenBerk Attorneys at Law

Michael G. Bergmann
Executive Director
Public Interest Law Initiative (PILI)

Tempia A. Courts
Attorney
Pluymert, MacDonald, Hargrove & Lee, Ltd.

Shannon Deamer
CEO
The Deamer Group

Joy Decker
Deputy Director of Community Services Program, Division of Developmental Disabilities
Illinois Department of Human Services

Ed Duffy
Director of Marketing Communications
Ed Duffy Communications

Malayna Evans
Brand Storyteller/Content Marketer
Ammit Creative

Janine Hill
Consultant
Soar Strategies

Sandee Kastrul
President and Co-Founder
i.c. stars

Andre Kellum
CEO/Principal Consultant
A.G. Kellum and Associates

Lesley Kennedy
Vice President of Community Engagement
Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago & Northwest Indiana

Richard Kohng
Assistant Vice President for Civic Engagement
North Park University

Julie Lenner
Managing Principal
JK Lenner Consulting

Wesley Lindahl
Professor Emeritus SBNM
North Park University

Craig Maki
Chief Strategy Officer
Provisio Partners

Malik Nevels
Executive Project Director
Safer Foundation

Tim O’Brien
Lecturer SBNM
North Park University

Ann Pinkney
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
Metropolitan Family Services

Shailushi Ritchie
Founder, CEO
Sevah Consulting

Evette Simon-Williams
Chief Human Resources Officer
UCP Seguin of Greater Chicago

Brenda Swartz
President & CEO
Getting it Done
Professional Services

Alnierys Venegas
Assistant Vice President of Programs
Misericordia