BLOGS
Mattison
From strategic planning to day-to-day execution, our blog is where leaders in the association and non-profit space find practical tools, fresh perspectives, and support for what’s next.
Check back for fresh insights, practical tips, and evolving strategies to help you run your business and manage your association more effectively. We’re here to keep you informed and ahead of the curve.
Non profits, associations, and coalitions are built to solve meaningful problems. They bring together passionate, important missions, and a deep commitment to making a difference. But as these organizations grow, so do the complexities: managing stakeholders, aligning priorities, measuring outcomes, and sustaining momentum.
Strategic planning is essential for associations, but too often plans fail to move beyond discussion. Without the capacity to implement and track progress, even well-developed strategies can lose momentum and impact.
Volunteer leadership is the backbone of many successful associations. Board members and committee leaders bring industry expertise, passion for the mission, and a deep commitment to service. But as associations grow more complex, passion alone is no longer enough to sustain effective operations.
Sustainability is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—responsibilities of an association board. While many organizations associate sustainability with funding or membership growth, true organizational sustainability is rooted in governance, structure, and long-term decision-making.
When you work with Mattison, you’re not hiring a vendor—you’re gaining a partner. We’ve worked with some of our clients for over a decade because we believe in building relationships rooted in trust, flexibility, and shared purpose.
Growth is exciting—but it also brings complexity. Whether you’re seeing a surge in membership, expanding your programs, or entering new partnerships, managing growth takes time, expertise, and a solid strategy. And it’s more than just a feeling — the nonprofit sector routinely reports that growth and increasing demand are stretching teams thin.
You’ve got plenty of data—but do you know how to use it? Associations today collect data through registrations, email campaigns, surveys, social platforms, and more. And McKinsey reports that data-driven organizations are 23 times more likely to acquire customers and 6 times more likely to retain them than their peers [1]. But too often, that data ends up siloed or underused. That’s a missed opportunity.
The association and nonprofit world is constantly evolving—and organizations that stay ahead of the curve are the ones that continue to thrive. As we look toward the future, leaders need to be aware of the shifting expectations, tools, and cultural changes that are redefining how associations operate and engage their communities.
Your board of directors should be your biggest asset—not your busiest committee. But without the right structure and support, boards can get bogged down in tasks instead of leading with vision. At Mattison, we help associations build boards that thrive, so they can focus on the big picture while staying aligned with the organization’s mission.
Efficiency and authenticity aren’t mutually exclusive. Many organizations worry that streamlining operations means sacrificing the personality and heart that make them special. But at Mattison Corp, we believe the right systems actually enhance your identity—they don’t erase it.
You don’t have to be overwhelmed to know it’s time to ask for help.
We work with associations and nonprofits of all sizes–many of whome reached out when they realized their current approach wasn’t sustainable anymore. If you’re wondering if it’s time to bring in outside support, here are some signs…
Your members are the heartbeat of your organization—and keeping them engaged is essential for long-term success. Yet research shows that new members have only about a 50 % chance of renewing, and those who don’t engage within their first 90 days are 73 % more likely to churn.
Every standout association event begins the same way: with a simple idea. But turning that idea into a meaningful experience takes far more than good intentions—it requires coordination, creativity, and strategic planning.
From annual conferences to leadership summits and networking mixers, events play a critical role in member engagement, revenue generation, and mission visibility.
Marketing is often one of the first things associations and nonprofits know they should be doing—but don’t have the time, tools, or team to do well. The result? Missed opportunities, disengaged members, and a mission that isn’t reaching the audience it deserves. In fact, nearly 70% of nonprofits report that their marketing efforts are underfunded or inconsistently executed
Starting a new association or nonprofit is exciting—but let’s be real, it can also be overwhelming. You’ve got a mission that matters, a spark of vision, and maybe even a handful of committed people ready to dive in. But where do you start? How do you turn that passion into a sustainable, thriving organization?
In the fast-paced world of nonprofits, associations, and coalitions, it can feel like you’re juggling a hundred different priorities at once—board relations, event planning, finances, member engagement, and more. That’s where an Association Management Company (AMC) like Mattison comes in.