Future for Nonprofits

In the midst of great economic challenge, there is also great opportunity to reflect on the future of the nonprofit sector.  Many nonprofits are in defense mode trying to weather the current economic tsunami while also trying to sustain a level of social services needed in their communities.  Other nonprofits are looking at the current economic crisis as an opportunity to reflect on scale and scope and identify ways to improve efficiencies--both as an organization and as a sector. 

Holly Sidford, principal consultant for the Helicon Collaborative proposes looking at the "Five A's" to evaluate the viability of institutional change proposals for any nonprofit contemplating transformation.  They include: 

Analysis and Anticipation:  Is the organization planning based on good research and solid projections--including the loss of significant revenue?

Attitude:  Is the organization projecting forward based on opportunities or are they focused on challenges putting them in retrenchment mode?

Adaptability:  "Is there a track record of flexibility, seizing new opportunities, willingness to let go of what no longer works?  In other words, can the organization evolve?"

Articulation:  How clear and concise is the plan moving forward?  Does it have broad stakeholder support?  Are there genuinely new approaches and strategies in the plan?

Audacity:  Is the approach as bold as the situation? 

Social entrepreneurs are chomping at the bit to generate innovative approaches to long-standing social issues.  Strategies such as service and volunteerism as a major infrastructure piece to support health care, education, after school and anti-poverty initiatives is one of the many proposal currently out there to assure that services in communities can be scaled-up with more human capacity.  You can also see that Sidford's 5 A's borrow from free market, private sector approaches to conducting business.  

The long-term viability of the nonprofit sector--much like the private sector--will require vision, innovation and most importantly, a solid business plan!  

Holly Sidford's 5 A's were taken from the Arts and Culture Blog produced by the Cleveland Foundation.