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.  

Our Shifting Values

Looks like the President's call to service is resonating with America's youth.  According to the Seattle PI, applications for volunteer organizations like Teach for America have seen a significant increase from the previous year.  According to the report, Teach for America saw a 50 percent increase in applications from one year to the next.  

The downturn in the economy along with the President's commitment to volunteerism are two factors that are driving young people to choose the nonprofit sector as an alternative to a career in corporate America.  

I think we are starting to see a fundamental shift in values to more of a community-centered, as opposed to an individual-centered focus in the job market.  This shift can be attributed, in part, to the economic conditions we are facing.  However, it also signals a cultural shift at the federal policy level with the rise of a community organizer to the executive branch of government.  We can see tangible results already from our federal government that service to the community is a a value that will remain constant throughout Obama's presidency.   

    

The Bush Doctrine

A day after her interview with Charles Gibson, most of the political analysts, media rags and bloggers will be focused on Gov. Sarah Palin's blank expression when asked about the Bush Doctrine.  Gov. Palin obviously did not know the particulars of the doctrine, choosing to focus on the broad stroke foreign policy objectives of the current administration.

To be quite honest, I had know idea what the Bush Doctrine was.  I would venture to say that most Americans don't know the particulars of the "Doctrine." So, how will this affect our perceptions of Gov. Palin's readiness to lead?  Very little, I'm assuming.  I can see now, however, why the GOP held Gov. Palin back from doing media interviews.  She looked visibly nervous and stiff throughout the interview.  The "Palin Bounce" was more of a dribble with a flat ball last night with the GOP vice presidential nominee sticking to canned rhetoric instead of fluid responses to some pretty tough questions.  What I saw was a false sense of confidence in the presence of a seasoned, informed reporter.   

In other news, our presidential nominees showed spirited support for National Service at the ServiceNation Summit last night.  Both candidates pledged their support to double the number of service opportunities for citizens to respond to the most pressing needs in our country. Being a huge advocate for National Service, I was pleased to see the candidates publicly support a National Service agenda that will mobilize more volunteers to assist in our educational, environmental, healthcare and social justice efforts.