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TheLifecycleStageofyourNon-Profitand
WhyitMatters
A presentation for the
Washington State Nonprofit Conference May 2019 by
The Leading Change Collaborative Susan Burgess Dianne Dickerson Susan Smallidge
InspiredLeadership|PositiveService©Allrightsreserved
InspiredLeadership|PositiveService©Allrightsreserved
© All Rights Reserved
Capacity Matters The
organizational platform which supports nonprofit Mission and Programs
Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.ExcerptedfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.Allrightsreserved. 5
Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Lifecycle Capacity Is Most Usefully Assessed at the “Table Leg” Level
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Programs(Services)
Simple, experi-mental, more breadth than depth, may lack distinct approach
Begin to see and define distinct methods and approach
Well-organized, results focused, in touch with community needs
Losing clients to others whose approach is more accessible or relevant
Programs are re-assessed and modified in light of current market needs and financial viability
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Management
Leader is a “spark-plug” and the group’s most experi-enced staff person
Organ-ization is led by people who see infinite potential and do multiple jobs
Role clarity exists and Executive leadership is often second or third generation
Organ-izational slippage is either unseen, denied, or blamed on others
Turn-around leader is a gutsy, strong-willed person with a clear sense of direction
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Governance
Members almost always have a personal connect-ion to founder
Board structure begins to appear, but director is still driving
Board sets direction, is policy oriented and leaves manage-ment to staff
Board is unaware something is wrong; and often don’t take action
Core of committed board members are ready to do what it takes to restore
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Financial Resources
Usually a low-budget, boot strap operation grant
More income sources create greater acctg & compliance complexity
Organiz-ation has sound and multiple sources of income and is not dependent on one source of funding
Budgets are fixed-cost and expense heavy, with income projections not reflecting current reality
Willing to cut expenses to reflect realistic income and cash flow
10
Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Systems/Administration
Financial & admin functions & systems are generally weak and may be out-sourced to others
Current systems, never good to begin, must be substant-ially improved to meet demands
Organiz-ation operates with clear course of action for routine client, board and personnel matters
Systems, although developed, are often antiquated, and physical space may be deterior-ating
Existing policies and processes may be too complex, expensive, and “mature” for us
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
LifecycleCapacityPlacement
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Doing the “Selfie” with your team » Gives you the vocabulary to understand “where you are” and puts your challenges in perspective
» What you need to be a healthy start-up is not the same as for a healthy mature organization… it can even be dangerous!
» You realize you’re “normal” and not the only one going through this
» You now have a way to talk to contributors about where you are – and what you need to make progress
» It depersonalizes management, staff and even board weaknesses
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.ExcerptsfromthebookNonprofitLifecycles:Stage-basedWisdomforNonprofitCapacity.
Questions from the Assessment
» What immediate changes would improve your organization’s capacity at this lifecycle stage?
» What long-term changes would help support your organization’s capacity and sustainability?
» Which of these changes can you make on your own?
» Which require additional resources?
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Copyright©2001-2016SusanKennyStevens,Ph.D.NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute.Allrightsreserved.
NonprofitLifecyclesInstitute
Acommunityofnonprofits,fundersandconsultantsdriving
organizationalcapacityinthenonprofitsector
tobuildstrongercommunities.
StrongNonprofits.StrongerCommunities.
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buildingcapacity
The Leading Change Collaborative www.leadingchangecollaborative.com
contact: Susan Smallidge [email protected] Dianne Dickerson [email protected] Susan Burgess [email protected]