Upbuilding our Nonprofits
This piece in Non Profit Quarterly discussed the need to not just rebuild our nonprofit infrastructure, but to actually upbuild it. The author states that nonprofit infrastructure is better understood as the systems and processes that nonprofits build into their work to become more resilient in difficult times (like pandemics).
And who couldn’t agree with that? One of the bigger thoughts I have had, especially in the Covid world we are in, is what is the long term impact for nonprofits? Will this dramatic event cull the herd, so to speak? Will those operations that aren’t run well or resourced poorly survive? I guess only time will tell.
But, one of the lines of the piece that stood out to me was a general malaise that most of the resources nonprofits receive go to larger ones, leaving smaller ones on the sideline. While that is true, I am not sure that environment can change. Some people call it the Pareto Principle, other the Matthew Principle:
“For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.” Matt. 25:29.
Like taking two magnets of like polarities, some things are just hard to make stick. I am afraid the desire to equitably fund nonprofits is one of those things.
One thing I can agree with the author about is the need to resource development for nonprofit leaders. As you know, over the last few months, I have had tons of conversations with nonprofit leaders and in general, these dedicated men and women are burned out, worn out and worried about their own health, their missions and their future. They need help, I am happy to serve these folks daily.
Northern Virginia Foundation says, “Thanks, but no thanks”
This piece tells the story of how a Northern Virginia non-profit decided to decline a gift from a celebrity. Okay, now I am not completely sure that Jamie Lynn Spears (Brittany’s little sister) qualified for “celebrity” status, but for sake of the story, we will say she is.
Ms. Spears has just finished her memoir outlining the first thirty years of her life. From what I can tell, the book is more of a therapeutic effort to get things off her chest and clear her mind and soul of things that have accumulated in her life, which I don’t really doubt is a lot. Growing up with a famous pop-rock sister has got to have it’s share of hang-ups and hurts.
Ms. Spears was going to have the proceeds of her book go to a Northern Virginia mental health agency called, “This Is My Brave”. The organization thought receiving the proceeds was a great idea, up until it wasn’t.
Reviews of the book weren’t great (it doesn’t look like Ms. Spears is in line for a Pulitzer this year) and was panned as a Jerry Springer-esque tell all of the Spears family. As you might imagine, the #FreeBrittney brigade and other Brittney sympathizers created a small firestorm from the book. And the little non-profit mental health agency decided the juice wasn’t worth the squeeze and declined any proceeds from the book.
There are some real lessons for nonprofits in here. Donations from celebrity-level people are always fraught with the “what happens when things go sideways” discussions. It’s not unheard of to have famous individuals with a tarnished reputation dole out a few charitable dollars in the name of “damage control”. Also, today’s paragon of virtue that hands out money could be found out to enjoy kicking puppies in their spare time (or worse!).
The nonprofit needs to have good policies that allow it to decline large or controversial donations. The nonprofit in this story, “This is My Brave”, took a stand. Whether one agrees with it or not, isn’t necessarily the point. They looked at the value of their organization and the benefit of the donation and decided their organization meant more than the donation. Nonprofits should never feel they need to be a part of someone’s “reputational rehab”.
Five Minutes of Humor
If you have never seen it, take five minutes and watch “The Little Table”. If you are in the nonprofit world, this video will speak to you; you have been there, you have been part of these discussion. If you aren’t in a nonprofit, you will definitely appreciate this and see where things occasionally go off track.
An Excerpt from our “Tips, Tools and Tricks”
The Pinnacle Solutions, “Tips, Tools and Tricks” newsletter comes out every Tuesday and is available for a paid subscription for as little as $7/month. Here is an excerpt from our last version:
The cash reserve ratio is one of those figures that is a snap shot in time and best viewed by looking at this figure with trends. If this figure is moving in a larger number as you get closer to the end of the year, you are on the right track; if you see this number consistently going down as you move through the fiscal year, this is a good sign that something is amiss.
If you are searching for good information that will help you manage and lead a non-profit agency, please subscribe to the “Tips, Tools and Tricks” newsletter! And of course, as a huge “thank you”, all of our paid subscribers will get a special gift.
What do you want to know?
One of the things I would like to add in these weekly emails is to take some time to answer YOUR questions about the non-profit world; fundraising, leadership, tools, whatever is on your mind, let me know. I’d love to dig into it! Send me an email to: pinnaclestrategiesltd@gmail.com!
Other Ways to Connect
Did you can also be a paid subscriber to Pinnacle Strategies content on substack? Why would you want to? Through the paid newsletter, each week you will be given a tangible tool or deliverable that YOU can use to help you understand and serve your non-profit better. The first tool is about Giving Ladders. Huh? Well, become a paid subscriber for $7/month and you can learn more!
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