A Big Ugly Word in the Non-Profit World: Sustainability
Originally posted on LinkedIn on May 2, 2016
Non-profits and funders are stuck in a funding trap due to differing realities and measures of organizational sustainability and what is needed to get to that coveted place.
Who starts this conversation? What are the consequences of not having the discussion on sustainability? I believe funders and Boards need to give Executive Directors a safe opportunity to discuss these issues and support them in solving this essential component holding most, if not all, non-profits back.
Funding back office operations and development work are essential to a non-profits ability to deliver programs and services central to its mission. Yet, funding these areas is taboo. Without investment in these areas, how do you create efficiencies which will translate to more stable funding? You can’t. This quagmire forces non-profits into a perpetual cycle of inefficiency—the VERY thing that watchdogs and the media hold-out as the reason to hold back donations to non-profits.
Sustainability requires stability and efficiencies. Smart investments in infrastructure and development are the most efficient and cost-effective delivery system to achieve this goal. We know this in business and our personal lives, why is it different for non-profit entities?
Small to medium size non-profits are struggling. The paradigm needs to shift; the conversation needs to begin.
Start the conversation.
Today starts our 20 Tips in 20 Days for Non-Profits on Twitter and Facebook.