Sustainability: It Takes More Than Money VCM Annual Retreat April 3, 2008 Robin Lynn Grinnell Michigan Nonprofit Association

Define Sustainability Environmental Term: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Nonprofit Equivalent: the ability to continue the work that we’ve started in a self-renewing manner. “Planting trees in our own special way.”

Key Point There is a difference between creating community impact and sustaining a nonprofit organization. FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION. Our PREMISE is that Volunteer Centers offer long-term benefit to a community; therefore they must think long-term.

Group Think What is the past role of a VC in our communities? What is the current role of a VC in our communities? What is the NEW role of a VC in our communities?

Barriers to Sustainability Increasing competition Rivalry and turf Effective planning takes time If the community doesn’t know, the community doesn’t care Nonprofit funding is typically short-term focused (2-3 year grants; annual gifts from individuals)

Aspects of Nonprofit Sustainability Mission and purpose Alignment of capacities Ability to adapt Financial resources Community ownership Human resources Thoughtful planning

Mission and Purpose What is your niche? What do Volunteer Centers offer that others can’t? How do you improve the quality of life in your community? Can the community do without you?

Alignment of Capacities Financial $ Mgmt $ Mgmt Fund Development Fund Development Administrative (including Technology) ProgramGovernanceNetworking/Collaboration

Ability to Adapt Adaptive Capacity Awareness of external forces Awareness of external forces Ability to respond/react to change in circumstance Ability to respond/react to change in circumstance Stay on Top of the Game Assess the environment Assess the environment Monitor trends Monitor trends Utilize technology Utilize technology Think, listen, learn and respond Think, listen, learn and respond Whose job is it?? Whose job is it??

Financial Resources Do you know the true cost of doing business? Is your board committed to securing what you need? Can you wean yourself from soft money through sustainable, innovative revenue? See the POLF ToolKit See the POLF ToolKit

Community Ownership Who knows what you do? Who cares, and why? Can you demonstrate an element of community voice? Can you document the difference you make? Who is telling your story?

Human Resources Paid staff Full time Full time Part time Part time Adjunct AdjunctVolunteers Strategic Allocation of Time = ROI

Thoughtful Planning Mission and purpose Alignment of capacities Ability to adapt Financial resources Community ownership Human resources Consider this – how are these elements interconnected? Does staff discuss the bigger picture? Does board discuss the bigger picture?

Tough Questions How does this relate to your VC on a local level? How does this relate to VCM on a state level? How does this relate to the VC network on a national level?

Build Healthy Relationships at Ten Levels 1.Direct Customers 2.Volunteers 3.Staff 4.Board 5.Funders 6.Media 7.Business 8.Other Nonprofits 9.Policy Makers 10.Community at Large

Current State of Relationships Rate each group on current relationship with local VC: 10 is a strong relationship; 0 is no relationship Constituents Constituents Volunteers Volunteers Staff Staff Board Board Funders Funders Media Media Business Business Nonprofits Nonprofits Policy Makers Policy Makers Community at Large Community at Large

How do we nurture relationships? What is the mutual benefit of association? VC gets… VC gets… Constituent gets… Constituent gets… How much time do we invest? For what return? What is our targeted strategy for message/marketing/communication?

Wrapping it up… How does all this time in the development and nurturing of relationships relate to sustainability? Mission and purpose Alignment of capacities Ability to adapt Financial resources Community ownership Human resources Thoughtful planning