Nonprofit Survey: Managing in Tough Times

Hi everyone,
Here's a link to a study by the Bridgespan Group about nonprofits managing through tough time: http://www.bridgespan.org/managing-in-tough-times-survey-update-november-2009.aspx that was covered in the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

None of us will be surprised to learn that many of the deeper effects of the recession are just starting to fully play out with nonprofit organizations.  But, the study astutely points out that, "while the hardship of prolonged financial pressure cannot be overstated, many organizations appear to be making the difficult decisions that may gain them stronger footing as market conditions improve in the future."

We are seeing evidence of that here with our current and prospective nonprofit clients.  The organizations that are going to get to the other side of this situation stronger are making a conscious effort today to reach out and connect with their core supporters.  They recognize that their relationships have never been more important than right now.  We are glad that so many are choosing GiftWorks to help manage and sustain these critical relationships.

As Bridgespan reports, "While tough times force hard choices, they can also bring people together. As a result of the recession, many nonprofits are reaching out and strengthening relationships with key stakeholders. Indeed, 69 percent of organizations we surveyed are developing new plans to communicate with stakeholders, 88 percent are investing more deeply in relationships with core funders, and 77 percent are engaging their boards or a subset of their boards to address the financial ramifications of the downturn. Reaching out to key supporters is often a nonprofit’s first line of defense in a crisis."

I hope you find this report helpful.  Please do share your insights in managing your organization through the Great Recession.  

We Support Universal Healthcare

This is not a political company or political blog--we all have different perspectives on how the world should work. We make nonprofit fundraising software, and we do it well. But we all agree on at one thing: the health insurance crisis is affecting each of us personally, and we are committed to supporting any efforts to ease the pain.

So, for business reasons, for humanitarian reasons, for community and economic reasons, we support single-payer healthcare and would gladly pay a "health assurance" tax of 10% of payroll than a health insurance "tax" of 14% of payroll--our current costs.

Today, the single-payer legislation introduced by an org I'm involved with was endorsed by the Patriot News of Harrisburg. Everybody in, nobody out, and businesses pay less. I'm on my way to Harrisburg to meet with the Governor's Office on Healthcare Reform in about 10 minutes.

What's going on in your state? Can you afford health insurance? Would you join a pool of other nonprofits to make sure your employees are covered? Let us know.

Katrina

I got an email from United Airlines offering 500 free air miles if I donate $50. I think their intentions are good--I certainly will donate this week. But I didn't need United Airllines to lure with with miles so I'd make a donation. I'm guessing the intent wasn't crass marketing, but a genuine attempt to help, but the assumption that it would take air miles..well, I'm just going to believe the intentions are good and leave it at that.

Everyone wants to help in some way--all of us here do, of course. One of our friends is heading down with the Red Cross for 3 weeks to help. I asked him what he was going to help with--software (he runs a software company) or logisitics? He said--whatever is needed. Load trucks, hand out water, whatever.

We have nothing new to add here--we're stunned just like everyone else. The American Red Cross is in the best position to help, generally, outside of the government. Here's their contact info www.redcross.org but the site is not responding. Other relief agencies? MCC is a very good one near us. http://www.mds.mennonite.net/Home