For nonprofits to reach their pre-recession heights, they need to be active, ambitious and not afraid to fail.
The United Way of Westchester and Putnam and the Westchester Community Foundation offered that take and more at the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit XI at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown Monday, May 6. The event featured speakers Seth Godin, author and entrepreneur, and Ilir Zherka, a human rights advocate.
The economic recession has made life difficult for nonprofits, attendees heard. Repercussions include the loss of seasoned staffing at organizations that channel funding. “It”™s very hard,” said Debra McGinness, executive director of Select Human Services Inc., a Pleasantville-based nonprofit assisting people with developmental disabilities. “We”™ve had budget cuts and a decrease in reimbursement from the state.”
McGinness, who partners with the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, said there has been turnover since the recession hit and she is now dealing with people with little experience.
“It”™s hard to get any direction,” McGinness said.
After a five-year economic slog, McGinness sees the economic downturn as opportunity, including collaborating with other nonprofits and figuring out how to do more with less.
“We need to think outside the box more,” McGinness said.
One way Zherka said to think outside the box is to be more active with elected officials and be involved in lobbying, despite the negative image “lobbying” can confer.
“You have to think about your mission and whether you should exist,” Zherka said. “Not-for-profits have a moral obligation to represent the people they advocate for. It”™s part of our jobs; it”™s what you have to do. It”™s not enough just to provide services.”
Zherka said nonprofits need to be effective at framing their issues. He pointed out how global warming is now called climate change and the fight for gay marriage is now called marriage equality.
“How do you want people to understand your issue?” Zherka said. “Advocacy does not have and endpoint. Be ready for a long-term fight.”
Zherka said nonprofits need to play role in influencing elections and advocating for their issue.
“Elections decide major policies,” Zherka said. “This is not dirty. This is the way our system works. You can find unlikely allies. Don”™t ever assume opposition. Give a person an opportunity to surprise you.”
Godin said nonprofits have the chance to change the world by being innovative and by standing out.
“This is the chance of a lifetime,” Godin said. “Everyone has more resources than the last king of France. The industrial economy is over and has been replaced by a connecting economy. The better we get the more value we create.”
Godin said nonprofits will succeed when they create connections with other people. Instead of trying to appeal to the masses, nonprofits should appeal to the perhaps offbeat, but passionate people who will spearhead their project.
“Do not wait for Bill Gates,” Godin said. “The normal won”™t support you. Do work that”™s worth talking about. You have a platform to do art. No one is stopping you.”
Too many charities try to eradicate a problem now rather than preventing it in the future, because it is easier to obtain donations for now. This hurts charities in the long-term, Godin believes.
“You need to tell your stories to the people obsessed with your cause,” Godin said. “Not ones who will donate now and then forget about you. Don”™t be afraid of failure. If failure is not an option, than neither is success.”
Joseph Ferraro, a certified fundraising executive for Mount Kisco-based AFP Westchester, an organization assisting nonprofits in fundraising, said the recession has caused nonprofits to drastically reduce staff.
“They have cut back in areas to their peril,” Ferraro said. “In a recession, organizations need to be more aggressive so they are ready for when the market gets stronger.”
Ferraro said since the recession he has seen an increase in people downsized from their corporate jobs who want to enter the nonprofit workforce.
