In my long experience helping many nonprofits succeed, I look for organizations that are ready for transformation, not just transition. What’s the difference?
Transition: Examples: Getting a new executive director, or sprucing up the fundraising.
Transformation: Examples: A new CEO who’s willing to take on a major change in programmatic focus, or a board that is ready to commit to a major capital campaign.
Transitions are fine, of course. But I prefer to work with organizations that are ready for transformation. Because that’s where we make the most impact on the organization’s success. I look for organizations that are ready to embrace the following four principles of the transformational approach. Is your organization ready for the transformational approach?
Be open to transformational change
Like all humans (including me!), organizations can get comfortable in their routines. Board, staff, donors, and the people they serve are mostly content with the way things have been. If business as usual is working, then that stability is wonderful. As the old saying goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
How does one know when an organization needs to change? One obvious sign is trouble raising money. Sadly, the trouble is often ignored for too long. Now the need is larger and more urgent. That’s when organizations call me. They know they need to raise money. But they don’t generally understand that they need to transform the organization to raise the money that they need, both now and in the future.
Alternatively, an organization with solid year-to-year finances may wish to take on a big, hairy goal like a capital campaign. Big goals may require big changes.
Organizations that are open to transformational change are the ones that I can best help. Openness to change can be a key sign of readiness for success. Openness to change can grow fundraising and program results in leaps and bounds, not just incrementally.
Embrace and focus on fundraising
Often the first change an organization needs to make is in its attitude toward fundraising. Fundraising is not distracting drudgery or an icky side task performed once a year. Fundraising is integral to the organization’s existence. I’ve run numerous nonprofit organizations. If you’re not focused on fundraising then you will not succeed in your mission.
It’s called a nonprofit for a reason. The most import thing about an organization is how money comes in. Money comes in because the organization’s work inspires people to give money. That is why you should consider fundraising when selecting programs. Consider fundraising when allying with partners. Consider fundraising when adding board members. Consider fundraising when hiring staff.
To be clear, fundraising is not the mission. Fundraising serves the mission. A mission without adequate fundraising serves nobody.
Look at the whole organization and all its people
Organizations are most likely to succeed when they give their all.
Organizations that come to me understand that they need to raise money. But they may not understand that they need to review all aspects of the organization to raise that money. Some organizations think they can bolt on a fundraising push without considering changes in programs, the board, [or other aspects]. Transformation is about looking at every aspect of the organization and how it can change. I’m not saying change everything. I’m saying look at everything so the organization can gives its all to its mission and its success.
Likewise, transformational change requires everybody to get on board. It’s not enough for the Executive Director or a subset of the board to want change. Organizations are more likely to succeed when they mobilize board, staff, donors, and clients.
Sustainable, lasting change
An organization facing fundraising challenges may find it difficult to look ahead. They look for a quick fix so they can get back to business as usual.
My approach is different. I can help an organization craft and execute a plan that doesn’t just solve this year’s problems, but ensure long-term success.
Transformational change is often the best long-term solution to current fundraising woes. If the world has changed, then the organization must adapt to survive.
I prefer organizational transformation because it’s often the most sustainable solution.