A Note From the Executive Director

The AIHP Executive Director, Lucas Richert, has shared some thoughts on LinkedIn about AIHP and we are sharing them here for you. Follow Luc as he reflects on his and the institute’s journey in this and future posts.

I’m a Professor at UW-Madison, and I occupy a funny spot as a historian in a school of pharmacy. But I also serve as the Executive Director of an 80+ year old nonprofit organization called the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy. Here are just a few lessons I’ve learnt over the short time I’ve acted as the Director:

1. The Board is Critical
A small nonprofit needs a caring, clever, and hands-on board that contributes a blend of time, expertise, and fundraising support—not just governance. So, recruit board members who understand the nonprofit’s needs and are willing to actively engage.

2. Mission Focus is Essential
With limited resources, staying laser-focused on your mission ensures that time and money are spent on what truly matters. There’s a danger with getting too big for your britches. Avoid “mission creep”—trying to do too much can dilute your impact.

3. Financial Sustainability Requires Diversification
Relying on a single funding source is risky; aim for a mix of grants, individual donations, membership fees, and earned income. Try as best as humanly possible to build a reserve fund to weather unexpected financial challenges.

4. Partnerships Expand Impact
Collaborating with other organizations can amplify reach, share resources, and reduce costs. The AIHP is still working on this and can improve. Universities, larger nonprofits, and community groups can be valuable allies.

5. Volunteers & Staff Need Support
A small team means that everyone wears multiple hats (and gloves and scarves!) —burnout is a risk. I have tried to recognize contributions, offer professional development, and set realistic expectations. I can improve.

6. Storytelling Drives Engagement
A compelling narrative helps with fundraising, community engagement, and advocacy. The AIHP is growing in this way. We will continute to show impact through personal stories, data, and visuals.

These lessons above are only just the beginning of the story — or a small glimpse of a larger issue. I’ll try and share more from my journey at AIHP as time passes!