Tension always exists between time devoted to donors — part of a nonprofit’s business side — and its overall mission.
Sometimes, that tension exists because the founder started the nonprofit with a desire to help others but now must spend time connecting with donors.
Jim Maltry, a retired nonprofit executive and SCORE mentor, advises leaders of nonprofits to develop a strategic plan to help ease that tension and provide balance.
Every nonprofit should have a strategic plan that should be updated each year — not unlike a for-profit’s business plan, Maltry says. At the outset, you must wear many hats, making time management crucial.
Other tips from Maltry:
- Grow slowly. Do not let demand outstrip the financial and human resources. Resist the temptation to help everyone when the resources are limited.
- Seek volunteers to assist with specific skills to help with certain tasks like marketing, finance, event management and technology. Use social media and your website to recruit volunteers who support your mission. Post your volunteer application on your website to make it easier to volunteer.
- Identify the skills you need and develop a position description for that particular task, as the first question a potential volunteer will ask is “what do you want me to do?”
- Ask your friends and relatives to spread the word about your need for volunteers. Be sure to prepare the message for them. Speak to groups such as the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotary or Lions Clubs. Many skill sets nonprofits need can be found within the memberships.
- Consider affiliations with for-profit businesses. Companies give to nonprofits in order to build their brand, advertise their company, and help recruit employees. Some corporations also promote volunteering at nonprofits to their employees. Research the business through Dun and Bradstreet, the Better Business Bureau, the company’s latest financial statement, and general Internet searches to ensure the affiliation will be mutually beneficial.
- For more details, go to
- www.score.org
- to see all of Maltry’s nonprofit guides.
SCORE Southern Arizona is hosting a free workshop on running a nonprofit on Nov. 21 (Details above in the If You Go box).
