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Nonprofits are in a difficult position. We are trying to find
ways to maximize our impact and continue to deliver services amidst impending
government cuts, fundraising challenges, and general uncertainty.
The last few weeks have been especially trying. At the end of January,
Governor Pawlenty announced his budget proposal. Although it's still early, we know that the
news is not positive for the nonprofit community or those we serve. For more
information, visit Minnesota Budget Bites, a blog from MCN that does a great job
of unpacking and synthesizing the information.
We can spend time talking about the implications of the budget and
our concerns about the Governor's proposed solution, but we also need to take
action.
By taking action, we do mean making the case to your supporters and elected
officials. But we also mean being realistic about your own organization's budget
and capacity. As Kate discussed in her blog post The Stockdale Paradox, now is the time to balance faith in
your mission with the reality of current conditions:
What nonprofits can learn from this philosophy is to maintain the conviction
that their work in the community is essential, vital, and will be valued.
Carry this passion with you in advocacy, fundraising, and communications as you
tell your story and share the impact. At the same time, confront the brutal
facts of economic downturn and budget cuts by being disciplined about financial
information, contingency budgets (with multiple scenarios) and cautious use of
reserves. I’m afraid that the optimists who approach next year with an
upbeat attitude that funding will arrive “because it just has to” will be the
ones that fail. The survivors will commit to and believe in their mission and be
realistic in their decisions.
How Nonprofits Assistance Fund Can Help
It's hard to plan for tomorrow when today is uncertain. Especially when it's
difficult to find reliable and useful advice on how the changing economic
conditions may impact your nonprofit.
Nonprofits Assistance Fund can be a guide to help you make informed, timely,
and strategic financial decisions that will put your organization in the best
position for the future.
Financial Needs Assessment
Organizations are struggling to balance immediate needs while laying the
foundation for the future. How can you see the forest for the trees?
You know your organization and its needs, we can help you develop a timely
and realistic plan to get there.
Whether you are looking to better understand your financial picture, trying
to cut costs, or exploring new ways to raise revenue, a Financial
Needs Assessment can help you take action.
A Financial Needs Assessment Can Help You:
- Clarify the state of your finances
- Identify strengths and weaknesses
- Leverage an opportunity to expand your program, capacity, and mission
- Implement healthier financial practices and processes
- Navigate an organizational transition
- Address a critical financial issue or event
- Respond to a major external change that impacts your financial stability
Contact
us for a Financial Needs Assessment and position your organization for
sustainability today and vitality tomorrow.
Sustenance in Lean Times - a Resource Guide
Sustenance
in Lean Times is our resource guide to help nonprofits navigate the
recession. It includes a collection of materials from places such as The
Chronicle of Philanthropy, the
Foundation Center, and the Minnesota
Council on Foundations. It also includes helpful articles, blog posts, and
other resources from Nonprofits Assistance Fund and other groups in Minnesota
and across the country.
Blogging the Downturn
Balancing the Mission Checkbook
Kate writes about the subject that concern our sector, from the intricacies
of nonprofit finance to negotiating strategic management decisions. She draws
on her unique set of experiences as a banker, executive director, board member,
and citizen to discuss the economy and its impact on nonprofits, as well as
other critical issues.
Nonprofit Harvest
The amount of content being generated on the economy is overwhelming. How can
you make sense of it all? This fall we launched a second blog, Nonprofit Harvest, to help nonprofits sift through all
the news stories, blog posts, and articles. Our goal is to bring into focus the
most useful information.
We post approximately once a week. For up to the minute tips and links, follow @NAFund on twitter or check out our delicious bookmarks.
Upcoming Workshops
Presenting Financial Reports to the
Board
February 10, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Your board of directors has ultimate fiscal responsibility for your
organization. This workshop will help you work with them more effectively.
Learn
more.
Building a Nonprofit Social Enterprise
February 24, 9:00am - 12:00pm
If you are seeking to diversify funding or stabilize your financial base, you
may be exploring opportunities to create a business venture or social
enterprise. This workshop will help you identify the right earned income
opportunities, begin business planning, and more.
Learn
more.
Register
today and begin implementing healthier financial practices at your
organization.
Financial Management Network
And don’t forget to participate in our monthly lunch series
for nonprofit leaders, the Financial
Management Network. Join us at noon on Wednesday, February 25, to share
thoughts and ideas with your peers on this month’s topic, Developing Financial Policies. Just bring your lunch, your business cards, and your
ideas.
Notes
from previous discussions are available on our website. Whether or not you
are able to attend the network, you can benefit from the wisdom of your peers.
Learn
more about our workshops and other upcoming events.
About Us
- The Social Enterprise Network
- Nonprofits Assistance Fund in the news
The Social Enterprise Network
To support Minnesota's social entrepreneurs, Nonprofits Assistance Fund and
MAP for Nonprofits launched the Social
Enterprise Network.
The Social Enterprise Network is designed for nonprofit organizational
leaders who are current practitioners in social enterprise. The conversations
will focus on sharpening the management of existing social enterprises and
building organizational cultures to support those enterprises. Participants will
exchange tools and knowledge that will help each other advance their social
enterprises.
Learn more about our inaugural event, Fostering a Culture of
Entrepreneurship:
Nonprofits Assistance Fund in the news
Neal St. Anthony, the Star Tribune's business columnist, recently profiled
Kate Barr. His article, This banker to the nonprofit sector a lending success story,
outlines how critical our work and expertise is during this challenging economic
time:
"Nonprofit Assistance Fund has seen demand rise as recession grips the state.
But the group's default rate on loans is around 1 percent.
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