A Blog for Nonprofits

Your team is pouring their energy and dedication into the nonprofit every day, yet somehow, progress remains elusive. The mission that once seemed clear and attainable now has unmet objectives looming large. As the adage from Will Rogers warns, "Even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there." In the journey of growing a nonprofit, a multitude of factors could be contributing to a state of stagnation, making advancing your mission feel like an uphill battle.

Let’s explore some of the reasons why.

• Reviewing the Strategic Vision. Consider the last occasion when both the board and executive team engaged in crafting a strategic vision. Has this process taken place within the recent three years? If affirmative, when was its execution last assessed? An effective strategic vision ought to be dynamic, revisited, and refreshed at intervals ranging from three to five years. The onus lies on the executive director to demonstrate accountability by regularly briefing the board on the progress each quarter. It's natural for organizational priorities to shift as circumstances alter; however, maintaining an open dialogue between the board and the executive team remains essential.

Regrettably, it's not uncommon for a strategic plan to end up as a mere formality—a document that’s compiled, shared, then shelved indefinitely, effectively rendering the exercise futile. This practice leads to a stagnant organizational state, devoid of direction. In contrast, a strategic plan that is actively employed as a foundational guide can empower both the board and the executive director to drive the growth of a nonprofit and its necessary adaptation.

• Mission Relevancy. Is your mission still relevant to the community’s needs? This may be a difficult question to answer, but it’s important to answer honestly. Are there other nonprofits or organizations now operating in your space? Do you find yourself competing rather than collaborating with like-minded organizations? It is a board worthy conversation that needs to happen and should be included as part of the strategic planning process. Does it still make sense to deliver the mission in the same way as you always have? Should the mission be the same or tweaked? To grow a nonprofit’s mission, it must be relevant to the community it serves.
  
  Is there a problem at the board level (with engagement, fundraising skills, mission alignment, term limits) or at the executive director or management team level? Your board should have the right mix of talent on it (finance, legal, technical, p/r, etc.) with a deep network. There should also be a balance of institutional knowledge and new energy. If the wrong people are steering the ship, the organization is bound to be off course. To grow a nonprofit out of stagnancy, it must have the right leadership in place. Don’t be afraid to implement the changes necessary to jumpstart action.
  
  
• "We’ve Always Done It That Way." Let's abandon the phrase once and for all. Nonprofits often find themselves mired in outdated methods, overlooking the potential of digital technology due to perceived resource shortages. However, citing a lack of resources as a reason for not updating systems doesn't hold water. The reality is, the cost of modernizing with new equipment or software is frequently offset by increased efficiency and reduction in wasted labor hours. From my own experience, there are numerous instances where this holds true.
  
  
  • a failure to use digital signatures (requiring paperwork to be mailed, faxed, or emailed – printed – scanned – emailed),
  • still filing all paper rather than scanning and filing digitally, then paying for storing the paper,
  • printing paper for all board packets rather than distributing digitally,
  • failing to understand and utilize password management software tools such as LastPass, increasing cybersecurity risk,
  • failing to understand encrypted email protocols, thus not utilizing features on Microsoft Exchange already included in subscription and further increasing cybersecurity risk.

The list of potential improvements is extensive, yet one key takeaway remains: never settle for the phrase, “but we have always done it this way.” Approach every process with a fresh perspective, seeking out opportunities to enhance and evolve. If you find yourself not fully up to speed with the latest technology and its capabilities, consider enlisting the help of a college intern who is studying computer science or information technology. Their current knowledge and innovative approach can prove to be invaluable and will help to unleash the barrier to growing your nonprofit.

If you would like to learn additional strategies on growing a nonprofit, please contact me for a free consultation.