Sustainability: Sustainability: It Takes More Than MoneyIt Takes More Than Money

VCM Annual RetreatVCM Annual RetreatApril 3, 2008April 3, 2008

Robin Lynn GrinnellRobin Lynn GrinnellMichigan Nonprofit AssociationMichigan Nonprofit Association

Define SustainabilityDefine Sustainability

Environmental Term: meeting the needs of the Environmental Term: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.future generations to meet their own needs.

Nonprofit Equivalent: the ability to continue the Nonprofit Equivalent: the ability to continue the work that we’ve started in a self-renewing work that we’ve started in a self-renewing manner. manner.

““Planting trees in our own special way.”Planting trees in our own special way.”

Key PointKey Point

There is a difference between creating There is a difference between creating community impact and sustaining a community impact and sustaining a nonprofit organization. FORM FOLLOWS nonprofit organization. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION.FUNCTION.

Our PREMISE is that Volunteer Centers Our PREMISE is that Volunteer Centers offer long-term benefit to a community; offer long-term benefit to a community; therefore they must think long-term.therefore they must think long-term.

Group ThinkGroup Think

What is the past role of a VC in our What is the past role of a VC in our communities?communities?

What is the current role of a VC in our What is the current role of a VC in our communities?communities?

What is the NEW role of a VC in our What is the NEW role of a VC in our communities?communities?

Barriers to SustainabilityBarriers to Sustainability

Increasing competitionIncreasing competition

Rivalry and turfRivalry and turf

Effective planning takes timeEffective planning takes time

If the community doesn’t know, the community If the community doesn’t know, the community doesn’t caredoesn’t care

Nonprofit funding is typically short-term focused Nonprofit funding is typically short-term focused (2-3 year grants; annual gifts from individuals)(2-3 year grants; annual gifts from individuals)

Aspects of Nonprofit SustainabilityAspects of Nonprofit Sustainability

Mission and purposeMission and purpose

Alignment of capacitiesAlignment of capacities

Ability to adaptAbility to adapt

Financial resourcesFinancial resources

Community ownershipCommunity ownership

Human resourcesHuman resources

Thoughtful planningThoughtful planning

Mission and PurposeMission and Purpose

What is your niche?What is your niche?

What do Volunteer Centers offer that What do Volunteer Centers offer that others can’t?others can’t?

How do you improve the quality of life in How do you improve the quality of life in your community?your community?

Can the community do without you?Can the community do without you?

Alignment of CapacitiesAlignment of Capacities

Financial Financial $ Mgmt$ Mgmt Fund DevelopmentFund Development

Administrative (including Technology)Administrative (including Technology)

ProgramProgram

GovernanceGovernance

Networking/CollaborationNetworking/Collaboration

Ability to AdaptAbility to Adapt

Adaptive CapacityAdaptive Capacity Awareness of external forcesAwareness of external forces Ability to respond/react to change in circumstanceAbility to respond/react to change in circumstance

Stay on Top of the GameStay on Top of the Game Assess the environmentAssess the environment Monitor trendsMonitor trends Utilize technologyUtilize technology Think, listen, learn and respondThink, listen, learn and respond Whose job is it??Whose job is it??

Financial ResourcesFinancial Resources

Do you know the true cost of doing Do you know the true cost of doing business?business?

Is your board committed to securing what Is your board committed to securing what you need?you need?

Can you wean yourself from soft money Can you wean yourself from soft money through sustainable, innovative revenue?through sustainable, innovative revenue? See the POLF ToolKitSee the POLF ToolKit

Community OwnershipCommunity Ownership

Who knows what you do?Who knows what you do?

Who cares, and why?Who cares, and why?

Can you demonstrate an element of Can you demonstrate an element of community voice?community voice?

Can you document the difference you Can you document the difference you make?make?

Who is telling your story?Who is telling your story?

Human ResourcesHuman Resources

Paid staffPaid staff Full timeFull time Part timePart time AdjunctAdjunct

VolunteersVolunteers

Strategic Allocation of Time = ROIStrategic Allocation of Time = ROI

Thoughtful Planning Thoughtful Planning

Mission and purposeMission and purpose

Alignment of Alignment of capacitiescapacities

Ability to adaptAbility to adapt

Financial resourcesFinancial resources

Community Community ownershipownership

Human resourcesHuman resources

Consider this – how are these elements interconnected?

Does staff discuss the bigger picture?

Does board discuss the bigger picture?

Tough QuestionsTough Questions

How does this relate to your VC on a local How does this relate to your VC on a local level?level?

How does this relate to VCM on a state How does this relate to VCM on a state level?level?

How does this relate to the VC network on How does this relate to the VC network on a national level?a national level?

Build Healthy Relationships at Ten LevelsBuild Healthy Relationships at Ten Levels

1.1. Direct CustomersDirect Customers2.2. VolunteersVolunteers3.3. StaffStaff4.4. BoardBoard5.5. FundersFunders6.6. MediaMedia7.7. BusinessBusiness8.8. Other NonprofitsOther Nonprofits9.9. Policy MakersPolicy Makers10.10. Community at LargeCommunity at Large

Current State of RelationshipsCurrent State of RelationshipsRate each group on current relationship with local VC: Rate each group on current relationship with local VC:

10 is a strong relationship; 0 is no relationship10 is a strong relationship; 0 is no relationship

ConstituentsConstituents

VolunteersVolunteers

StaffStaff

BoardBoard

FundersFunders

MediaMedia

BusinessBusiness

NonprofitsNonprofits

Policy MakersPolicy Makers

Community at LargeCommunity at Large

How do we nurture relationships?How do we nurture relationships?

What is the mutual benefit of association?What is the mutual benefit of association? VC gets…VC gets… Constituent gets…Constituent gets…

How much time do we invest? For what How much time do we invest? For what return?return?

What is our targeted strategy for What is our targeted strategy for message/marketing/communication?message/marketing/communication?

Wrapping it up…Wrapping it up…

How does all this How does all this time in the time in the development and development and nurturing of nurturing of relationships relate relationships relate to sustainability?to sustainability?

Mission and purpose

Alignment of capacities

Ability to adapt

Financial resources

Community ownership

Human resources

Thoughtful planning