Category Archives: FUNdraising Good Times

Sometimes it is the questions we don’t ask that lead us astray. In part one of this series we discussed how today’s changing – and challenging – economic times can be a catalyst for nonprofits if we are brave enough to ask questions we might prefer to run from. Here are a few.

“How can we operate more efficiently?” For example, as a community of nonprofits, can we decrease operating costs by using one resource for payroll, purchasing, insurance (health and liability), and even accounting? Lawyers would need to be involved; computer systems set up and tested… But at the end of the day, this could increase efficiency and increase resources devoted to service delivery. Or maybe not. You won’t know until you ask. Asking the question and having the conversation could lead to new approaches.

Another question is “what can we do differently?” One organization we know provided residential services for the most vulnerable children in their community. They had their own campus with new buildings. They received public funds, ran their own school, provided housing, counseling and more. But changes in public policy and changes in best practices caused them to change how they operate. They looked at the funding landscape – and the children’s needs – and changed their service delivery model. They have closed their residential campus and expanded their community-based and school-based services. They could have continued to raise funds for their residential program. Instead they had the foresight to ask “where is the market headed” and adjusted course.

We don’t know the questions you need to ask, but we encourage you to think outside the box. Put aside preconceived notions of what success looks like. Remember, as non-profits, our mission is the public good and that changes over time. New issues emerge. Populations change. Funding opportunities change as well. Here are a few questions to spur you on: Would becoming a program of another organization or institution allow us to better focus on what we do best? Are we effectively communicating what we do? Are the services we offer the best way to address community challenges and opportunities? Have we become dependent on one or two revenue sources? Do we leave everything in the hands of our CEO – what if she leaves – what would we do? Would a change in public policy help reduce the need for our services? If so, should we become involved in public policy? Are we focused on sustaining our organization or eliminating the need for our organization? Do the people we serve believe in our work? What do they want us to do differently? Would they miss us if we were gone?

What are the questions you can ask, and where will they lead your organization and community?

As non-profit leaders it is time to go to a new level of honesty with ourselves and those we serve. It is time for questions we may have put off. Questions such as “Are our current operations best serving our community?” “How could we do things differently to be of greater impact?” “Should we phase out some programs and introduce new ones?” “Is our mission relevant?” “Is there a more effective or more efficient model of service delivery?” “Should we consider merging with another organization?” “Who could we partner with?”

These questions are pressing given today’s realities. They are a doorway to the future, even though we may not know where we will end up as we summon the courage to ask them. They may represent the road less traveled; they may lead us to where we need to be.

As the year comes to an end, we can reflect and step up in a new way. We can call on our internal strengths, and the relationships we have developed over time. We can bring stakeholders and those we serve together to examine community needs and how our programs and advocacy meet – or don’t meet – those needs. We can identify gaps in service, and duplication of efforts. We can move beyond commitment to our individual organization and its mission, and look at ourselves in the context of the larger community, or eco-system we are a part of. 

This organizational change – or challenge – mirrors our individual changes and challenges. So many of us have had to reinvent ourselves, change our expectations. There is loss in letting go of what we thought would come to pass. For many it is accompanied by the emergence of a new strength. A new resilience. New competencies are uncovered; connections and relationships are rekindled. We are forced to do things differently as the old ways won’t work. And somehow we find our way.

What is true of us as individuals, and families is also true for us as a community. The way things used to be isn’t the way things are anymore. For many non-profit organizations there is the continuous process of doing more with less. There are smaller budgets, smaller staffs, and more demand for services, advocacy and solutions. And there is more competition as organizations and institutions increase their fundraising and turn to individuals, corporations, government agencies and organized philanthropy in new ways, with new appeals, in hopes of securing new funding. The dreams of a new building, expanded services, or even continuing support from long time supporters may seem out of reach.

But the questions we now ask may contain the answers we need. We can seek guidance for ourselves and those we serve. We can ask questions in conversation with others who can help us see what we cannot currently see or imagine. Today’s challenges can be a touchstone for a better future.