Tim Domini

Not for profits, as a rule, work with a scarcity of resources when it comes to infrastructure and headcount. This can either be terribly debilitating or drive creativity. Decisions must be made to invest in direct or indirect expenses. The challenges arise when outside forces are grading performance based on “efficiency” of delivery of service (admin and fundraising as a percentage of total costs) and management is challenged to “keep costs low”. The result is that most NFPs do not have a strong succession plan or work with old technology that pulls the organization south. In the end great organizations find ways to meet the challenges, and make themselves efficient and well managed, but most work with scarcity, and employee deficits.

Leadership is so difficult to define - but great leadership brings enthusiasm to the organization and makes an organization have the impact the mission is looking for. I believe in the NFP world great leadership is called to an even higher calling - beyond the list provided - great leadership requires making the mission connect to the community and the outcomes meet the mission.

To work in the world of nonprofit the employee must embrace a mission first mindset - this impacts every decision - from how to motivate employees, to where to invest funds in programs, to sharing why you have decided to work in for a mission. I can show examples of programs that were funded by general funds because they were considered "core" to the mission despite not having direct funding. I can also show examples where financial presentations can not show the impact on society being made by your mission. Unless you can embrace this pardigm shift in thinking you will find working in the NFP industry disatisfying.

In so many meetings I have had folks say to me "I want to transition to a job where I make the world a better place". As you consider this transition understand a few truths. 80% of all not for profits have a budget less than $1 million One out of ten jobs in America are Not for Profit NFPs impact 10% of the annual GDP What these three truths mean to a transitioner; You may have to work for a number of NFPs to generate one job's worth of income There is an enormous market of work - what in your skill set maps to the NFP universe of opportunity? Yes, you can find organizations that can pay you well but the hirer is going to want you to demonstrate why the mission matters to you so you must work to define what work moves you.

I often am frustrated that the fiscal picture may not present the true impact of mission driven work. From the limitations of Charity Navigator ratings to not investing in infrastructure because it is not pure mission, fiscal results can not draw a full picture of success for many Not-for-Profits. Great NFPs have found ways to tell the story of impact which can not be expressed in numbers. The new park has brought together the community, the new proposal may impact local laws around voting access. Like so many things the true story of impact and mission success may not be presentatble in financial presentation.

When employees see their impact in terms of a greater mission the leadship must find the levers that will have the team work hard on the day to day while emphasizing the impact of the work. Great NFP leadership understands that mission driven work attracts a different sort of motivations beyond simply safety and income, and using that understanding to acheive outstanding results is a true management art.