A Different Take on “Change” within the Nonprofit Sector
Change is at the root of every nonprofit. These organizations are working tirelessly to inspire and instill change; to solve the most pressing problems on the planet.
I’d like to propose the change needed before real change can occur… and it starts from within.
Okay, I know that may sound a little “woo-woo,” but bear with me. I’m not talking Buddhism, I’m talking BUDGET.
How Much Would You Spend, If...
Many of the nonprofit leaders I’ve worked with have been adamant: “We really want to grow!” But, they often get stymied when the board says, “We CAN’T do that because it’s not in the budget.”
That doesn’t add up.
Let’s think about this a different way. How much would you spend on something if you knew it could add a minimum of $1M of revenue to your budget in the next 12-24 months (or so)?
For real: What would that number be that you'd feel comfortable investing?
If our sector is going to actually solve the problems we’ve set out to, we need everyone to be comfortable investing in initiatives that get us further, faster. That means we need our boards and donors to get comfortable, too.
We can’t be held to asking $1,000 questions, or asking even $10,000 questions.
We need to be asking $100,000 questions… and even $1,000,000 questions.
How Do We All Come Together to Fund Real Change?
All of this comes down to your comfort level with risk. If your budget feels more like handcuffs than momentum, it’s time to foster a shift in mindset and revenue model. For example, some questions you might ask include:
Are you following an outdated financing model for your nonprofit?
Are you locked into traditional fundraising methods that keep you from having flexible cash?
Are you afraid to embrace a new way of doing things, going against the grain?
Are you fearful about shifting your mindset for explosive results?
The truth is, my biggest competitor in the nonprofit sector isn’t another person… it’s actually the organization itself that chooses not to change. While they’re not necessarily comfortable in continuing the tactics that aren’t resulting in the revenue growth they need and desire, they’re also not comfortable in taking that (necessary) leap.
It’s just too risky.
Expanding Your Organization’s Comfort Zone
To be fair, nonprofits have been expected and conditioned to avoid risk for decades. It’s not always their fault; sometimes it’s driven by funders. But, I’m convinced this is why 91% of nonprofits haven’t hit the elusive $5M threshold.
Let me say that again… 91% of nonprofits are still aching for the real change they know they are capable of in execution, but find themselves stonewalled in fundraising.
I don’t mean to be rough and tough about this, but I’ve seen it occur over, and over, and over again.
Bottom line: Your budget is a tool to plan out your time, energy, and money. So, if your budgeted income isn’t being raised at the rate you wish, then change SOMETHING. Organizations that get comfortable with risk, that are open to change, and that yearn to learn new things... they grow their funding.
This isn’t anecdotal. My clients with the greatest amount of revenue growth in the last 10 years were the ones that were comfortable with spending, investing, and risk.
Let’s talk about how they did it! Give me a shout here to set up some time.
Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:
👣 Follow me on LinkedIn here where I share the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and adding 7-figures + to their bottom line.
🍎 Read my GUIDE! THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVE/GETS :: Top 5 Reasons Your Board’s Give/Get Is Leaving Thousands (Sometimes Millions) on the Table. See how limiting board members to the Give/Get model restricts gifts and keeps your staff from reaching their full fundraising potential. Here to get it.
📈 Work with me to scale your org's revenue by 2-5X and fund your organization’s Strategic Plan // If you’re a business-minded CEO already raising MILLIONS but need to diversify revenue and secure more general-operating dollars to invest in growth, you can apply to work with me here.
