There are well over 600,000 nonprofit organizations (not including churches, which would double that number) in existence in the United States today, and many more are being formed every day. Individuals, in search of meaning in their life and desirous of giving something back to society are constantly looking to nonprofits to meet a personal need, even as they help the organization achieve its own goals. More than ever before, nonprofit organizations are playing a valuable role in society on many levels.
But if you think running a successful business is hard, just try a running an effective nonprofit! The grand irony, as anyone in nonprofit leadership can attest, is that nonprofit life appears uncomplicated when in fact it is exceedingly complex.
This is because many people think nonprofits simply trade profits for doing social good. Not true. Peter Drucker's immortal statement that "nonprofit organizations have two bottom lines" captures the complication succinctly. Figuring out the ensuing balances can be extremely tricky. For example, balancing:
- sufficient profitability versus producing greater service
- investment in the future versus producing effective and immediate results today
- cooperation with other nonprofits versus establishing your own unique identity
- an internal sense of urgency and drive versus creating an understanding, nurturing culture among staff and volunteers
- distributing additional funding messages versus giving donors some "breathing room"
- the use of paid staff versus relying on volunteers to meet critical labor needs
The list could go on and on. Is it any wonder, then, why so many nonprofits have a bad reputation? Running a poor nonprofit is easy. Running an effective one the public appreciates and admires is tough.
With consultants who have walked in both worlds, Cool Strategies sincerely wants to help. We have dedicated a solid portion of our practice to supporting the needs of nonprofits of all shapes and sizes. We love your heart and passion to do something meaningful, something significant, and want to be a part of the solution. We also understand it's a different world today, and relying on your good intuition isn't enough anymore.
You'll find us flexible and willing to consider engagements of virtually any length. Know that our intent is to be an ally by bringing solid business expertise to you through high impact, relatively brief engagements that deliver practical benefits worth your investment of time and money.
Start today by selecting one of the following areas of service which interest you, or contact us directly for more information.
