I have worked with many organizations where the starting point for resource development planning is next years budget. However, a “seeking support for programs” approach to resource development is an increasingly less durable way to raise revenues that support programs and program growth. As I have been arguing in my recent posts, strategy is increasingly important to nonprofit agencies. By aligning nonprofit strategic planning with impact philanthropy planning there is the potential to create more rational and sustainable funding models for nonprofit organization.
Nonprofits that embrace evaluation as strategy with strengthen not only their organizational core but the centrality of their place in solving social needs. Together, strategic planning, resource planning and evaluation planning comprise nonprofit strategy. With such a three-legged strategy stool an organization will not only survive but be positioned for growth and stability in social citizen sector.
Program accountability and evaluation strengthens internal practice as a focus of continuous improvement and serves as an external benchmark to proclaim an organizational commitment to excellence. As nonprofit agencies continue to look for ways to innovate in a resource constrained environment, building and implementing strong strategic, resources, and evaluation plans will position agencies well to effectively meet compelling community needs.
Thinking critically about when to focus on innovation from a process, adaptive, growth and disruptive perspective and how to combine such innovations will result in a stronger social-citizen sector addessing compelling community needs. It is my perspective that only with a broader view of innovation can nonprofits, philanthropy, and government organizations can engage individually and collectively in more thoughtful and strategic conversations about social innovation.
Starting with the core of the individual, and rippling through social relationships, families, institutions and community, a socio-ecological approach to change ultimately creates a new understanding of community norms and social policy. In my work with nonprofits, philanthropy, and government, I often see organizations excel in one, or perhaps two, circles of the model but rare is the organization that thinks about its programs and services across the entire socio-ecological system.
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- Mark P Fulop, MA, MPH
PO Box 18144
Portland, OR 97218-0144
(503) 928-4082
mark@facilitationprocess.com Facebook Like Box
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