Nonprofits – Shaping Our Future!
Return to the business of shaping our future
“During these troubled times, what lies in store for the non profit sector…” begins an article by Dr. Paul C. Light , NYU Wagner’s Paulette Goddard Professor of Public Service and founding principal investigator of the Organizational Performance Initiative. Dr. Light spoke on this topic recently as part of the Continuing the Dialogue(tm) series of the Nonprofit Services Center (NSC). Over 60 non profit leaders, from both the agency and funder side, were enlightened, educated and entertained by his presentation. With anecdotes we can all relate to, Dr. Light shared his perception of four different futures; (1) the miraculous rescue or a “Wall Street-esque” bail-out for the non profit sector, (2) general withering or the quiet dissemination of smaller NFP’s, (3) arbitrary winnowing, eliminating the “middles class” of non profits or (4) rejuvenation. Practical advice on how to proactively pursue option four, rejuvenation, followed including the need to focus on your own organization’s theory of change and transparency. But, most importantly Dr. Light stressed the importance of shaping our own future and quoted economist Paul Romer by reminding us that, “a crisis is a terrible thing to waste.”
Dr. Light encouraged nonprofits to not “hunker down” and ride out this economic downturn, but use it to our advantage. It is Dr. Light’s recommendation that now is the time to invest in three key areas: human investment, innovation (where appropriate) and capacity building. It is his opinion that these investments will help nonprofits survive; and it is those nonprofits that will help shape the future.
I was humbled to be one of three panelists who spoke following Dr. Light’s presentation. Joining me were Judy Berkowitz, Executive Director of Kids in the Middle and Bridget Flood, Executive Director of Incarnate Word Foundation. As panelist, we were each charged with the daunting task of following Dr. Light but also sharing our own perspectives on what we are doing now organizationally to prepare for life after the recession. I cannot do justice to all of the information shared but in summary, we had perspectives on outsourcing for strength, collaborating across what may have previously been viewed as competitive lines and advocacy ~ becoming that voice for the change needed for a stronger, more cohesive sector.
I applaud those who took the time even within these troubled times to attend; investing in ourselves and organizations is one of the pieces of practical advice shared for rejuvenation. And I applaud Nonprofit Services Center and Gateway Center for Giving for making it possible for us to learn from such inspiring national thought leaders. Thank you to Wells Fargo Advisers for underwriting such an important discussion.
To quote Dr. Light, “I am not for profit and proud of it!”
post by
Kimberly McKinney
Kimberly McKinney, CEO
Humanity Saint Louis
Ms. McKinney serves on the board of NSC.
Tags: capacity building, national thought leaders, nonprofit leadership, Paul Light
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