November 6, 2014
A clear management strategy is essential to the success of a nonprofit organization's mission. Many foundations and charities turn to their board of directors for guidance, but there are several other ways to develop effective approaches to operating a nonprofit group.
The Chronicle of Philanthropy recently wrote about Bridgespan Group, a nonprofit organization that Bain & Company helped establish. Bain is widely renowned as a consulting firm that helps businesses utilize tools and strategies to empower management. In fact, Bain releases reports on a biannual basis to help guide companies through the latest management trends. Bridgespan Group aims to provide a similar service to organizations in the philanthropic world.
Taking an analytical approach to management strategy
The Bridgespan Group survey will have five primary focal points that will guide nonprofit leaders through the decision-making process for tools and trends. The Chronicle indicated some of the areas will include ways to clarify goals by looking at a variety of potential circumstances that may challenge leadership. At the same time, the report will look at how nonprofits can take a theoretical approach to change. Another key function will be to learn how to effectively get feedback from various stakeholders as well as looking at program performance.
The report will be conducted by both Bridgespan Group and The Chronicle of Philanthropy, and it will look into the nonprofit community's perspective through surveys. Not only is it a chance to see what tools and strategies are working, but also an opportunity to recognize what isn't as helpful.
Change is often a necessary risk
When nonprofits reach a certain point in leadership issues, they often have no choice but to reevaluate their management styles and adopt a new approach. Nonprofit Quarterly highlighted the cases of two arts organizations and the issues they've had in management. First, the San Diego Opera nearly became a memory in the Southern California fine arts community. Many of the organization's artistic leaders left, in addition to the president of the board and several trustees.
Meanwhile, the Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami went through a tumultuous several months over the summer, during which the former board of directors decided to create a new organization called the Institute of Contemporary Art Miami. The new leadership at MOCA North Miami is working with a new board that was appointed by the city.
Embracing change in nonprofits can be a precarious act, but it often results in necessary outcomes that benefit the organization in the long run. As The Chronicle of Philanthropy and Bridgespan Group attempt to assist nonprofits in their search for better management, there will always be a period of trial and error that these groups need to face.
Content presented by First Nonprofit Group, the leading provider of state unemployment insurance solutions for 501(c)(3) nonprofit employers.
Ready to chat? Get in touch today to request a no-obligation savings evaluation.
We’ve been a member of First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program since 2011 and highly recommend joining. The program is terrific and allows us to earn interest on our own funds while still meeting the state’s requirements on unemployment payments. In addition, the staff are great and always helpful sorting out any questions we may have. Thank you all!
CCSCT was approached by First NonProfit to discuss its Unemployment Savings Program and ways the program could significantly reduce the amount of unemployment taxes we were paying. At the time, our agency was paying approximately $80,000 per year. First NonProfit conducted an analysis to determine if making the switch would be in our best interest, and it clearly was based on our circumstances. The first year on the program, CCSCT saw a 70% reduction in its unemployment costs and each year, continues to experience further reductions as a result of having minimal claims. Some additional benefits of the program including having a fixed annual cost, an interest-baring reserve account, professional unemployment claims management and representation at all unemployment hearings. This has been one of the best decisions we have made.
We first started using First Nonprofit’s Unemployment Savings Program when we were a small startup nonprofit. We didn’t have an HR department and needed expertise in the event that an unemployment claim was made. We knew we were eligible to be a reimbursing employer, but weren’t sure how to navigate that process. They made it easy to set things up, plan for, and then manage claims when they came at a very reasonable cost. The amount of time and stress they’ve saved us dealing with all this has been worth way more than the cost. We’ve now grown to a large nonprofit and do have an HR department but have no plans to stop using their services. I highly recommend them to every nonprofit I come into contact with!
Throughout our membership in the Unemployment Savings Program, First Nonprofit understood our demands, community dynamics, and the importance of seamless services; that allowed us to serve our constituents better.
Because INCS advocates for the operating conditions that allow charter public schools to provide high quality public education, partnering with First Nonprofit was an easy decision. First Nonprofit’s unemployment programs provide our member schools two operating elements crucial to their ability to provide high quality public education: savings and budget certainty. Capable, committed teachers are the key to student success. By participating in the unemployment insurance savings plan, charter public schools gain peace of mind and are able to invest more money in their teachers.
It has been our sincere pleasure to maintain a strong, vibrant business partnership with First Nonprofit. We greatly admire their strong industry knowledge, technical expertise, constant professionalism, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. They are always extremely responsive, personable and provide us with the necessary guidance and recommendations on a numerous variety of employment scenarios.
NYCON members who use First Nonprofit’s programs enjoy enduring savings and improved efficiency. Our association knows that success, because from the beginning, we achieved the same great benefits. Great savings, seamless technology, and responsive service. NYCON highly recommends First Nonprofit’s remarkable unemployment solutions.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services has been a client of First Non-Profit since it was first offered as a benefit of VisionServe Alliance. We completed a thorough evaluation of cash savings to our agency before taking advantage of this wonderful benefit and it has been a very wise decision. Our experience with the processes from accounting to claims have been professional, expeditious and easy.