Business Minded Nonprofit Organizations

In the last two months, I have read numerous articles on the nonprofit sector regarding trends, ideas, new concepts, and concerns that have surfaced in the industry -- especially in light of current economic times. Truth is, the nonprofit sector in the United States employs 1 in 14 people; and in 2008 U.S. Charitable Giving totaled $307 billion dollars. The nonprofit sector is adapting and changing, proving it is still vital by providing a tremendous benefit to our society.

On February 2, 2010 Shelly Banjo and S. Mitra Kalita wrote an article for the Wall Street Journal titled "Once Robust Charity Sector Hit With Mergers, Closings." (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704586504574654404227641232.html?mod=googlenews_wsj) The authors were articulate and honest about the nonprofit sector. Much of what is written in this piece, are quips and comments I have been speaking on for the last few years. In the article, Paul C. Light, a professor at New York University's Wagner School of Public Service states, "There were too many poorly performing nonprofits. There were very many niche nonprofits devoted to small slices of a problem and they needed to be merged." Nonprofits need to take into consideration revenue, expenses, marketing and accounting. In addition, there is a tremendous amount of competition for the philanthropic dollar. Merging nonprofit organizations that have common missions and goals can result in increased exposure, service and funding. For years, business minded professionals who have served in advisory and board of director capacities for nonprofits have been expressing to the organizations they need to be 100% business minded.

This article also portraits a consolidation success story. In Chicago, Big Brother Big Sisters was consistently avoiding financial concerns by increasing revenue from private funding. Relying less on United Way they merged with Chicago metropolitan area small chapters and the organization has evolved stronger and healthier. They have attracted new donors, recruited board members and created new efficiencies. I believe the Big Brother Big Sister model is a great example of organizations coming together, combining their resources to solve financial issues but remain focused on the mission of the organization.

Nonprofit organizations contain the same important business entities that for profit companies do – accounting, sales, marketing, and operations. In today's economy, it is important nonprofits remain competitive and one of the best ways to do this is through education. Business West Online, the business journal of Western Massachusetts published an article on March 30, 2010 on the importance of nonprofit staff, managers and executives to examine benefits of higher education, more specifically an MBA targeted to nonprofit organizations and nonprofit management. (http://businesswest.com/details.asp?id=2431)

The article's author, Georgia O’Brien, writes about a conversation she had with Kathryn Carlson Heler, professor of Business Administration at Springfield College. The college offers an MBA with two concentrations, one of those concentrations is in nonprofit management.
Heler says, “The definition of a nonprofit today is that of a mission-based business, and those two words sum it up,” she explained. “They have to run like a business, they have to show a profit, and they are under many of the same rules and regulations that any small business is. Most nonprofits are selling a product,” she continued, “and they’re marketing a product. And for social entrepreneurs, they’re looking for new ways to raise money beyond the annual campaign.”

Donors, key leaders and board members are looking for innovative ways for nonprofits to stand out, raise money, attract new support and at the same time, truly be self sufficient. Boards that are governing nonprofits want to see for profit thinking and they want professionals with diverse skill sets steering the organization. Springfield College is not the only school in the United States to offer a nonprofit MBA, a variety of colleges and universities are offering similar programs. For some programs, the student is one that is coming straight from completion of their undergraduate studies – deferring their job search in a luke warm market a bit longer. However, programs of this nature are also seeing career change professionals, in addition to people that have spent careers in the nonprofit industry and being encouraged to freshen up on critical skills.
Between business - minded individuals running nonprofits and a cluster of nonprofit MBA gradutes out in the field – the nonprofit sector will truly benefit and thrive.

Olympic Games -- 2010

On one hand the Olympic games are over, but truly, they are not over. Another set of athletes will start competing shortly.

How many of us are aware that the Paralympics begin on March 12th? Olympic style games for athletes with a disability were organized for the first time in Rome in 1960, now called Paralympics. In Toronto in 1976, other disability groups were added and the idea of merging together different disability groups for international sport competitions was born. In the same year, the first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden. Today, the Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes with a disability. They emphasize the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability. The movement has grown dramatically since its first days. The number of athletes participating in the Summer Paralympic Games has increased from 400 athletes from 23 countries in Rome in 1960 to 3,951 athletes from 146 countries in Beijing in 2008. Keeping with the theme of recognizing the achievements of people with disabilities, below you will find a few nonprofit organizations in the New York area that serve a variety of adults and children with both physical and developmental disabilities.

Camp Paqauatuck -- a summer camp for children with special needs situated on beautiful grounds in Center Moriches, Long Island.

Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities -- ACLD is a leading not-for-profit agency on Long Island that proudly serves the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.

Best Buddies -- Long Island -- nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Eden II / The Genesis Programs -- Eden II / Genesis Programs has been a leader in the effective intervention and education of individuals on the autism spectrum for over 30 years.

Five Tips on Giving to Haiti Disaster Relief

5 Giving Tips for Haiti Disaster Relief

1. Determine what kind of relief you want to support.What matters most to you? "Disaster Relief" has many components - medical assistance, emergency housing, provision of potable water, feeding the hungry, sending in search and rescue teams. Decide which one(s) you would like to support.

2. Do a bit of research.Use Guide Star and Just Give to find out more details on a nonprofit you are considering for a donation. Make certain that the nonprofit you choose is a 501c3, which ensures that they are considered a charitable organization, eligible to receive tax deductible contributions and have filed the necessary application with the IRS.

3. Options.
Listed below are just a few nonprofit organizations that are conducting Disaster Relief Efforts:

~~American Red Cross
~~United States Fund for UNICEF
~~Catholic Relief Services
~~Oxfam America

4. Consider making your gift in a few weeks or months. As time passes and the new stories, reporting and media around the tragedy may slightly diminish, help will be needed then as well. We certainly saw this in the case of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

5. Questions? Need help with your research and / or some guidance? Call me or email me. I am happy to help.

Meghan McCain, Maria Shriver and Women Entrepreneurs

Diane Sawyer conducted a terrific interview this morning with Meghan McCain and Maria Shriver, live from Long Beach, California. They are both speaking at The Women's Conference, the nation's premiere women's leadership event. The conference features two full days of speakers and events that strive to inspire, empower, and educate women of all ages.

There were a number of topics covered in the few moments Diane, Meghan and Maria spent together but one of the comments made by Maria truly spoke to me. She stated, "You see at this conference the entrepreneurial spirit of women in America," Shriver said. "Women are opening small businesses at twice the rate of men."

It is intriguing to see how so many women, are taking risks, making a decision to go off on their own, in their own business within a wide variety of industries. I know first hand, as a women entrepreneurs, it is daring, exciting, scary and thrilling to start your own business and now that I am here, I can't picture my career in any other fashion.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

For so many of us, breast cancer has impacted our lives. What are you doing in support of breast cancer awareness? Please find below a few events taking place in this important month for breast cancer awareness and education that I personally will be supporting.

• Thursday October 15, 2009 -- Healing Star TM Launch Party at Ron Rizzo Jewelry Design, East Hills.
  
• Sunday October 18, 2009 -- Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Jones Beach.
  
• LL Dent Restaurant, Carle Place. From October 1st to October 15th, LL Dent is offering a price fix menu, with all proceeds benefiting the Adelphi NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program. The cost is $25.95 per person.
  
• The Inn at New Hyde Park. Think Pink Drink Event. During the month of October proceeds from every "Pink Drink" will be donated to The Maurer Foundation. On Saturday October 17th, Pink Drinks are free with your donation.

Utilizing Your Database -- October 2, 2009

Utilizing Your Database -- October 2, 2009

Non-profit organizations have many options regarding databases they can utilize to manage their constituents. Raisers Edge, Donor Perfect, ETapestry are all great options -- as well as Microsoft Access if your organization is truly budget conscious. However, no matter what size non-profit organization, it is critical to carefully manage the data that is being put into the database. Treat your database carefully, keep it healthy and up to date – it can be one of your greatest resources.

Here are a few helpful tips that will help non-profit maximize their database and make certain they are utilizing the database efficiently.

1 – Consistency. There should be one person that is responsible for data entry. This will ensure that all constituents are entered properly. Standardize the entry process, this will give you access to the information you need and it will give you that access quickly!

2 – Birthdays. Make sure you capture the birthday of all donors. Make sure your database records the birthdays of all constituents and remember to send a birthday card to your donors to acknowledge their special day!

3 – Back up your files. We have all seen viruses on the internet and we have all realized that technology can let us down. Keep your database backed up on a different server; the information in the database is way too valuable to lose.

4 – Invest in the proper training. All of the major database software companies offer top notch training. Invest in a one or two day workshop or at least an hour long webinar. Adequate training will prove to be cost effective and essential for accuracy.