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The course of my professional career has allowed me to work both within the nonprofit sector and with the for-profit business sector that supports them. This opportunity to see these sectors from the inside has provided some insight into why many nonprofits (regardless of size) struggle with the business side of the organization. Certainly, it is understood that a nonprofit’s priority is the mission/vision for the communities it supports; however, I would argue that without proper financial and business practices the mission will cease to have any impact. https://lnkd.in/dGWSdXyR

THIS. EXACTLY THIS! I would venture to say that most nonprofits create *new* programs that are attractive to funders because those are the things that get funded. In reality, nonprofits need funders to adequately fund the current programs that are already working (including the cost it takes to actually run the program)! Many of us run on shoestring operating budgets that end up costing more in staff time in the long run due to technological inefficiencies (for example) because existing funders don't want to pay for technology upgrades. There has long been an adage in the for- profit world that it "takes money to make money." Why does this not translate to the nonprofit/service sector that it takes money to provide the services for the good of the people? How much more effective could we be with abundant (no, scratch that) adequate operational support?

To thrive, nonprofits need robust support for operating costs. However, finding funding for these essential expenses is challenging due to the public's often unrealistic expectations of low overhead. This creates a vicious cycle where nonprofits struggle on shaky ground, reporting artificially low costs. Breaking this cycle requires funders to understand the importance of operating costs and nonprofits to advocate for realistic overhead spending. Let’s support sustainable nonprofit growth by promoting realistic funding expectations. #NonprofitLeadership #SustainableFunding #ImpactfulGiving https://lnkd.in/gPY-bVdX

"In recent years, nonprofit organizations have faced a multitude of challenges, from the lingering effects of the pandemic to concerns with burnout and staff wellbeing to ongoing economic uncertainty. Please, funders, don’t let silently shrinking grants add to nonprofits’ list of worries." Thanks, Kevin, for this nuanced analysis of grantmaking behaviors. Just adding that, let's make sure we're not only avoiding shrinking grants, but that we're getting cash in the hands of nonprofits as quickly as possible, particularly knowing so many are experiencing the above. This is not a time to pause for strategic planning or delaying renewals by a quarter or two for some other reason, which can also sometimes be silent cuts

It is imperative for nonprofits, and those that fund them, to recognize and lean in to investing in capacity, which includes human capital. The social impact sector, also known as the third sector, exists because the public and for-profit sectors are not filling all of the gaps. I urge everyone to invest in general unrestricted operating funds to build sustainable futures for nonprofit staff and improve the community-wide outcomes we are working on.

As someone who works in the nonprofit sector, it's important to have open and honest conversations about how we can improve the sector. Recently, I shared some thoughts on how nonprofits have a responsibility to ensure equitable use of financial resources. While it may be a controversial topic (and I debated sharing this on LinkedIn), I believe it's crucial to continue this dialogue. As a nonprofit community, here's to working towards creating a more equitable and just society - starting with us! #nonprofits #communitycentricfundraising

Trying to figure out grants for your nonprofit? Melanie Lambert has you covered with a great guide for 2024. One tip: Look in your own backyard! Community foundations, local government grants, and regional philanthropic organizations often have funding specifically tailored to your geographic area. They understand your community's needs and are often easier to access for smaller nonprofits. #nonprofit #grants #nonprofitgrants #grantwriting

A great article in Stanford Social Impact Review about the lack of support for nonprofit operating costs. The author of this article calls it the Nonprofit Starvation Cycle. Although it is getting better, there are many funders that do not support operating costs. A friend and I were discussing this a few weeks ago; how do funders that only support programming costs expect nonprofits to run programs without the staff and other resources needed to implement them. In addition funding operating costs supports projects that allow organizations to strengthen their infrastructure and internal processes. This article highlights a study of larger nonprofits. So if larger nonprofits are impacted by this starvation cycle, can you imagine the impact to small and medium sized nonprofits which according to recent data from Candid is the majority of the nonprofit sector. Nikole Collins-Puri Errika (Mallett) Moore Lauren Thomas Priest, MNM Ebonie Johnson Cooper Joy B. Webb ,MBA, CAP® Orletta Caldwell, Ph.D

Budget management can present difficulties for nonprofit organizations, especially when determining where and how to allocate funds effectively among fundraising, administrative, and program costs. The research-backed model in this article can offer your organization insight into budget allocation in a way that considers both your nonprofit's current needs and long-term sustainability. https://hubs.la/Q02txrv80 #NonprofitOrganizations #NonprofitFundraising

It’s so important to reframe how and why we invest in nonprofts. It’s not just about supporting programs today, but building resilience for the future!