A Celebration of the Life of …
Where do you send the condolence card after the death of a nonprofit?
Today’s Star Tribune reported that the Senior Federation to Shut Down because of financial challenges resulting from drops in both grant support and memberships. The economy is certainly a big factor since the Federation’s funders include several health care organizations that are cutting budgets everywhere. Membership declines reflect both demographic shifts and changes in the needs of their constituents. Founded in 1973, the Federation really made its mark in the 1990s with advocacy and action to make prescription drugs more affordable with bus trips to Canada and online sales.
This news about the Senior Federation is not the first or the last time that a nonprofit will close. Two weeks ago Centro Legal closed its doors after almost 30 years of providing legal services to low-income, Spanish-speaking clientele with issues related to housing, domestic violence and immigration. The loss of these services has a very real impact on the community.
The current economy has exacerbated the already fragile financial state of many nonprofits which is likely to result in more closures. Every closure is hard, painful, and sad. This sadness made me think about the sadness I’ve seen in the past month after the cancer-related deaths of three acquaintances. These losses were hard, painful, and very sad. Each of these wonderful people were remembered at memorial services billed as “A celebration of the life of … ” The events were indeed celebrations with music, laughter, tears, stories, and food. Friends and members of the community even bring the food, passing out turkey sandwiches and brownies in church basements and park shelters.
I think that we need to organize memorial services for nonprofits. A celebration of the life of the Senior Federation, a celebration of the life of Centro Legal, a celebration of the life of _______ . Current and past board and staff members, clients, members, funders, and the community could gather to tell stories, cry a bit, remember the history and changes, take pride in the impact and significance of the organization, and say goodbye. Invite me and I’ll bring a tray of brownies.
I agree that it is sad when the community loses a long-time service-providing organization. I, too, was shocked and dismayed about the two examples mentioned. Beyond the emotional reaction, however, it is important to recognize that the embodied capacity lost is greater than simply the sum of the individuals turned onto the streets. It is analogous to the destruction of soil by paving it over–some of the life spark of the community is killed. This situation (of long-standing organizations closing their doors) points to the need for a comprehensive service gatekeeper that shaky organizations could turn to for help in envisioning major crisis restructuring options, deciding on a course of action, and carrying it out. Because the need is so holistic, perhaps this service provider would best be created by a task force of existing service-provider organizations such as Nonprofits Assistance Fund, MAP for Nonprofits, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, Minnesota Council on Foundations, HandsOn Twin Cities, and so on. Once we have seen a need as important as this one–and know that we can do something about it–we are then morally bound to act to create a solution.
Comment by Kathy Ahlers — August 27, 2009 @ 5:16 am
Kathy,
I think that your comment about the lost capacity is really important. The organizations that you listed (Nonprofits Assistance Fund, MAP, MN Council of Nonprofuits, etc) do pay close attention to vulnerable organizations and reach out with resources and guidance as appropriate. One of the great strengths of nonprofits is their ability to govern and set their own course. Minnesota has a rich array of community resources to help.
Comment by Kate Barr — August 31, 2009 @ 12:14 pm