This Month's topic: Small Nonprofits
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My New Book on Generation Change Is Available!
 My newest title, Generations: The Challenge of a Lifetime for Your Nonprofit
is available for review and purchase at the Fieldstone Alliance
website. I'm really excited about the reaction to this book, and I know
that the issues covered in it are affecting your nonprofit and will
continue to in the coming years. Check it out.
Here's what people are saying about the book:
“Helpful ideas for immediate action! Great insight into the
different generations in a practical way that lends itself to clear
thinking about how to most effectively engage people. Easy to
understand and engaging—a pleasure to read.”
“An invaluable guide—it will be a frequently consulted resource.
Brinckerhoff’s ‘Six Big Actions’ provide an excellent operational
framework to plan for generational change.”
—Joan M. Twiss, M.A., Executive Director, Center for Civic Partnerships, Sacramento, CA
Take a moment and check out the book--I think you'll see that it applies to your organization.
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| This Month's Topic: Small Nonprofits |
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Sites of the Month
Each month, this area provides with a number of my favorite and most helpful sites regarding the topic of the month.
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Management
Tip of the Month
Each issue, I start with a discussion
of my management perspective on the month's topic, and give you a few hands-on
ideas to consider.
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Recommended Publications
Here, I provide you with my
recommendations on the materials available that can help you
become more mission-capable in the area of Small Nonprofits
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Technology
I provide you with some good ideas for
uses of tech to better your organization in the area of Small Nonprofits
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Marketing
Tip
So much to say, so little space to say
it.....
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Next
Issue
In September, you'll get some great information on Generation Change and Technology
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Past Issues:
You can see the topics of past Mission-Based Management Newsletters, and then view those that are of interest to you, by scrolling to the bottom of the newsletter, or by clicking here. |
Websites of the
Month
Here are my recommendations for websites of interest
on this month's topic: Small Nonprofits
Back to
Top
Management Tip of the Month
Very Small Nonprofits
Quick. Someone says "nonprofit" or "charity." What's the first thing that pops into your mind other than
the organization for which you work or volunteer? Probably a big, "name
brand" nonprofit. Red Cross, Habitat, your local hospital system or
university. Big is visible. Big is recognizable. Big is where the
action is, right?
Not exactly. While there are just under 1.5 million registered nonprofits in
the United States (according to the most recent data from the National Center for Charitable Statistics), nearly 81% have total annual income of less than $100,000.
So, while we may think first about the big 501(c)'s , the playing field
is actually filled with smaller, dedicated, and often invisible organizations. Fine,
you say. Interesting. So?
The rub is that these hundreds of thousands of organizations have their
own set of problems and issues and that are often ignored or at
least not specifically addressed in the literature, research and
publications dedicated to nonprofits. Very Small NonProfits (VSNPs)
need more attention discussion and examination. Full disclosure:
this issue's topic was not the result of me noticing the issue, but rather because
three different VSNP execs took me up on my offer to suggest a topic.
They all contacted me within four weeks of each other, and it went on the
schedule. So, prior to researching this issue, I wasn't ignorant of the problem, but it wasn't on my radar. Silly me.
So what are the characteristics of a very small nonprofit? In the main,
they are more volunteer driven, they are younger in terms of
organizational age, and are often lacking any significant support
infrastructure. On the other hand, the people involved in small
nonprofits are incredibly energetic and passionate about their mission.
Because they are smaller they can be, and usually are, more flexible;
able to turn on a dime if opportunity presents itself. They do a lot
with very little.
The downside of being able to turn on a dime is that often these organizations turn because
of a dime, dollar, or some other financial incentive. Due to their
sometimes precarious financial situation, they have less ability to
have a long term strategy and can get easily distracted by a grant or
funding source that is "sort of" related to what they do. "Mission-creep" is endemic in VSNPs.
So what should a small nonprofit do? In a lot of ways, the same things
that mid-sized organizations should do. It's just harder when you have
less resources:
Focus. Remember both
the first and second rule of nonprofits ("Mission, Mission, Mission"
and "No money, no mission!") Have a three year plan. Focus. Balance
board and staff needs.Keep good records and be transparent. Be good
stewards of their resources. Focus. Don't try to be all things to all
people.
This is NOT easy for a one-person or even all volunteer organization.
But use the resources noted here and take things one step at a time.
Remember that you can't just do mission, even though that's the fun
stuff. You have to do the organizational background and back room work
to enable mission. And that's a challenge when there is not enough of
you to go around.
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