10 Tips To Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability

Ten Tips to Ensuring Long-‐term Sustainability in the

Nonprofit Arena Monica Gould, MBA, CMC

5/8/14 1pm EDT

Your Presenter

Monica Gould, MBA, CMC !Monica Gould, MBA, CMC is the President and Founder of Strategic Consulting Partners. Monica possesses over 30 years of senior leadership experience. !She has a MBA from American University. She is an award winning Certified Management Consultant (CMC). Only 1% of management consultants have achieved this designation.

3

Objectives● Understand the state of the nonprofit

sector in today’s economy!● Explore ways to create long-term

viability!● Develop realistic strategies to

implement a long term sustainability focus

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Decreases/Denial from Funding Sources Center for NonProfits, New Jersey

Source

OtherLocal Government

County GovernmentState Government

Federal GovernmentUnited Way

Patrons at EventsIndividual Donors

Corporate DonaWonsPrivate FoundaWons

0% 13% 25% 38% 50%

Source


Organizational Reactions to Current Trends Center for NonProfits, New Jersey

Sought AlternaWve Funds

IniWated New Fundraising Appeals

Entered into Partnerships/collaboraWon

Froze or Reduced Salaries

Increased Advocacy

Cut Staff

Curtailed Programs

Increased Fees for Service

Added a Special Event

Reduced Employee Benefits

0% 15% 30% 45% 60%

Plan to DoHave Done


Strategies for Maintaining and Improving Sector Center for NonProfits, New Jersey

Strategies

Capacity Building

FoundaWon Funding

Giving & Volunteer IncenWves

AaracWng Workers

Federal Funding

State Funding

Reducing CompeWWon

EffecWveness

0% 15% 30% 45% 60%

Strategies


State of the Economy Study…Center for NonProfits, New Jersey

● 70% reported demand for services increased!● One-third expenses exceeded support/revenue!● Over 60% expected expenses to increase

while only 27% expected revenues to increase!● 89% reported a dramatic change in funding in

2009 and 2012.!● 60% reported that previous funding sources

have stopped funding them.!● 29% curtailed programs; 34% cut staff

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Ten Tips to Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability1. Develop a long-term strategic plan!2. Refine organizational structure!3. Engage and motivate staff!4. Refine operations/budget !5. Create a “Case for Support” and/or Positioning

Statement!6. Diversify fundraising sources!7. Develop communications and marketing tactical

plan!8. Formulate strategic alliances!9. Engage your board and volunteers!10. Monitor results & refine strategies & refine where

needed


1. Conduct Long Term Strategic Planning● Refine your mission!◦ Who are you?!◦ Who do you serve?!◦ Where are you located?!◦ How do you serve?!

● Define Vision!◦ Where do you want to be 3-10 years from now?!◦ Conduct after doing a SWOT Analysis!

● S.W.O.T.


S.W. O.T. Analysis

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VISION

GOALS

Strategic Plan - Visioning Pyramid ™

PURPOSE/MISSION

VALUES

© W

eber

Busin

ess S

ervi

ces,

LLC.

ORGANIZATION

OBJECTIVES

TACTICS

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2. Refine Organizational Structure● Review Organization Plan!◦ Performance management plan and structure!◦ Do you have the people you need?!◦ Do you have the right employees and

volunteers?!● Can work be outsourced for efficiency?!● Sharing resources!● Cross training!● Succession planning!● Use of volunteers vs. paid staff


3. Engage & Motivate Staff● Honest, open communication!● Include staff in problem solving!● Offer alternative benefits !● Empower staff to complete key

objectives!● Create a team environment!● Provide forewarnings for changes


4. Refine Budget/ Streamline Operations● Are we in line with mission & vision?!● Cost/ROI of programs?!● Cost/ROI of events?!● Can we eliminate events or programs

and replace with higher return activities?!● Can some services/expenses be

donated?!● Sharing resources/expenses!● Outsource?


5. Draft Positioning Statement● Straight forward and exact expressions

of your organizations unique identity!● Use everyday language, avoiding

technical, insider terms!● Convey the organization’s character!● Crisp and action oriented!● Says how you want to be known

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www.yourstrategicconsultant.com

6. Diversify Fundraising● Events!● Annual Campaign – Individual Donors!● Foundations!● Grants!● Corporate/Business Partners!● Joint ventures


7. Detailed Marketing & Communications plan● Newsletters!● E-marketing – email blasts!● Annual appeals!● Social media!● PR Strategy & Media Database!● Target communications to meet different

stakeholders!◦ Clients!◦ Volunteers!◦ Funders!◦ Media!◦ Donors


8. Formulate Strategic Alliances● Agency Alliances!◦ Partner with others that provide similar or

complimentary services!● Corporate alliances!● Government!● Other!◦ Sharing of staff/support services with like or unlike

agencies!◦ Sharing of services by outside vendors


9. Engage Board and Volunteers● Connect them through mission!● Communicate their role !● Communicate your needs!● Cultivate relationship!● Ask for commitment!● Garner commitment through follow-up

and communication!● Reward and Thank them!!!!


10. Monitor Results & Refine● Monitor regularly & review major

variances (at least monthly)!● Conduct ROI or balance scorecard

analysis on each program !● Conduct ROI analysis on each event or

fundraising activity!● Revisit short plan objectives and budget!● Engage key stakeholders to redefine

objectives


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Questions?

Personal Action Plan● Take a moment to reflect on what you

have learned today!● Identify at least one strategy you will

employ when you go back to the office.


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Thank You!

Monica Gould"Strategic Consulting Partners!

[email protected]

Questions?

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10 Tips To Ensuring Long-Term Sustainability