subject: An Nesc Kind Of Plan [print this page] The economy has failed to improve by much, though there is much ado about nothing on the radio and television waves. Though we are told the worst is over, the truth of the matter is nearly 20% of our population is unemployed. Mind you this is the real unemployment level, not the doctored number touted by NPR and CNN. Now is the time when we could all use a helping hand. Now is the time when non-profits could use the help of consultants like NESC to make the most of their talent and resources.
Non-profits respond to real needs -- and nearly 20 million Americans without a job is a real need. This means more families are lining up at food pantries and finding the clothes and toys they need at establishments like Salvation Army and Goodwill. But even smaller non-profits are in need of better allocating their time and resources to help their constitutes.
The balance all non-profit organizations seem to strive towards is the balance between resources and talent.Granted, a typical non-profit is not necessarily interested in profit for the sake of merely making one, there tends to be a propensity for non-profits to fold well before their potential has been realized.
Failure to plan is planning to fail. A plan is not only essential it is imperative. The failure of a non-profit seldom has to do with the dedication or passion of its employees or its beneficiaries. The failure lies in a lack of foresight. It is well enough to begin a non-profit dedicated to feeding homeless people, but the question is: "How?" Like a for-profit business, a non-profit must develop and articulate its goals.
As opposed to for-profit businesses, which aim to distribute their earnings amongst their shareholders, a non-profit organization is concerned with distributing its earnings to the people or causes it is dedicated to helping. The development of a business model is ironically necessary for the successful non-profit. Without the proper guidance and attention to detail, a non-profit is not long in the tooth.
