subject: How to grow your nonprofit [print this page] How to grow your nonprofit How to grow your nonprofit
In today's economic climate, growing a nonprofit is tough. There is no doubt about it.
"Growth can be painful, but a nonprofit has no alternative unless it can live with the idea of shrinking as an organization and perhaps even dying," said Paul Davis, a leader in the nonprofit field for 20 years and currently president of the Michigan-based Scanlon Leadership Network.
That's sobering information. However, even in this uncertain time, nonprofits are indeed growing and thriving. They are doing it by aggressively meeting this challenge. Here are five main goals that form the foundation for growth in nonprofit agencies.
1. Stay focused. If your nonprofit lacks overall vision for its future it is difficult for it to grow. When it starts to suffer from vision drift it becomes even more challenging. Many organizations eventually suffer from vision drift, meaning they lose focus or adopt too wide a vision and try to be all things to all people. Eventually, vision drift will become a formidable barrier to growth.
2. Find and keep staff members who can maintain your vision as you grow. As it grows, a nonprofit should spend time building management capacity in its key positions. The staff may do a good job when the nonprofit is smaller, but may be unable to handle the big responsibilities that come with sustained growth.
And if you want to retain and nurture good workers, pay them what your budget can bear. Nonprofits have something that for-profit groups don't have: the chance to make a difference. But at some point, compensation can become an issue. Don't cut corners. Make sure your key staff members are adequately compensated.
