Building Capacity in Nonprofit Organizations

Second, we examine capacity building as it relates to the overall quality of life in the communities nonprofit organizations serve. For nearly a century, nonprofit organizations have fulfilled a variety of functions that help build and maintain civil society. They offer resources to residents of local communities, including social services, advocacy, cultural opportunities, monitoring of government and business practices, and much more (Boris 1999). They enable individuals to take an active role in their communities and contribute to the overall well-being of these communities. Nonprofit organizations also provide the basis and infrastructure for forming social networks that support strong communities. Civil society requires more than linking individuals to institutions; it requires building relationships among people. In these ways, nonprofit organizations add value to community life.

Spotlight

Understood.org

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We provide a range of resources to help people who learn and think differently thrive.

OTHER WHITEPAPERS
news image

Bst21 Protocol White Paper

whitePaper | July 26, 2022

In order to transfer all financial activities from a centralized space to a decentralized platform, it is necessary to create a simulated version of the world's current financial market space onto the blockchain platform. In general, a financial market is a structure where a number of individuals exchange their products and services for a certain form of currency.

Read More
news image

The Power of Branding Inspiring Nonprofit Support

whitePaper | February 3, 2020

In 1990, domestic automobile manufacturers found themselves in deep trouble. The innovative design and the quality of production long associated with the three dominant American brands, Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, had long been consigned to the annals of memory. The autos that rolled off of the Detroit assembly lines were notoriously ill designed and were, in general, very unreliable. Additionally, the oil crisis of the 1970s, one that would drive the American consumer to more fuel efficient vehicles, prompted the production of domestic compact vehicles that could not compete with the new foreign imports of Toyota, Mazda and Honda.

Read More
news image

2021 Nonprofit Technology Trends Report

whitePaper | May 10, 2021

Our 2021 Nonprofit Technology Trends Report highlighted some of the specific challenges nonprofits faced this year including decreasing funding, canceled fundraisers, and virtual programming. The survey also highlighted the myriad of innovations nonprofits have developed as a result of the pandemic.

Read More
news image

2023 Top Risks for Nonprofits and Associations

whitePaper | February 2, 2023

A year ago, the phrase “the new normal,” was commonly used to describe expectations for 2022. This year, the word “normal” is largely absent. Nearly every risk report looking ahead to 2023 begins with a litany of disruptions and challenges organizations are facing: COVID-19 variants, inflation, higher interest rates, staffing shortages, cyberthreats, war in Ukraine, supply chain disruptions, increase in energy prices, political and social change, and more.

Read More
news image

Metrics for Mission Impact How Nonprofits Can Strengthen Outcomes through Quantitative Measures

whitePaper | March 25, 2020

In their seminal article, "Nonprofit Starvation Cycle", Ann Goggins Gregory and Dan Howard exhort nonprofit finance professionals to report to funders the real costs of running nonprofit organizations. The authors explain that the popular trend to restrict funding to specific programs without accounting for infrastructure expenses leads to an unintended consequence, a "nonprofit starvation cycle", where charities cease to function because they can't pay for overhead costs, such as administrative employees, computers and electric bills. To break this unhealthy cycle, the article encourages nonprofits to recalibrate funder expectations by providing accurate financial reports and other supporting information to reflect the true costs of nonprofit operations.

Read More
news image

4 Ways Personalized Reporting Helps Your Nonprofit Make Better Strategic Decisions

whitePaper | June 1, 2022

When you are trying to get to the same place as everyone else, you can use the same map. But when you are blazing your own trail, those directions might help you get started, but they won’t get you where you ultimately want to go. With financial reporting, you need the standardized reports that everyone uses—such as a cash flow statement or budget to actuals—to give you an understanding of where you sit financially. These reports also help you see how you compare with industry benchmarks and other not-for-profit organizations. Knowing that the entire industry is seeing their expenses increase because of inflation makes your tighter margins easier to understand.

Read More

Spotlight

Understood.org

Understood is a nonprofit focused on shaping the world for difference. We provide a range of resources to help people who learn and think differently thrive.

Events