Running a non-profit organization is no easy task and requires intelligent strategy. There are some similarities to running a business, but there are also a lot of differences, so not all business strategies will be effective, and you need to know the best ways to grow your organization so that you can achieve your goals and avoid running into financial trouble (a major issue for non-profits). So, whether you are thinking about starting a non-profit or you currently do and are simply looking to grow, read on to discover a few of the best tips for growing a non-profit organization.
Define & Focus On Your Mission
As a non-profit, you must be able to clearly define what your mission is and then focus on this, stated Michael Freund, the founder and chairman of Shavei Israel, an organization assisting hidden Jewish communities in returning to Zion. An ordained rabbi, he has lived for the past 25 years in Israel where, for over a decade, he has contributed the column “Fundamentally Freund” to the Jerusalem Post. He was born in New York and remains a loyal New York Mets fan. Defining and focusing on a mission will make it much easier to make the most out of your resources, make intelligent strategic decisions, and promote your non-profit. Create a mission statement for your organization, and then keep this in mind when making any kind of decision.
Operate On A Lean Budget
Most non-profits fail due to cash flow issues. It is not easy to run a non-profit, which is why you need to be smart with every cent and make sure that there is no waste. You should go through all of your regular expenses and try to identify ways that you can make savings, no matter how big or small. You should also keep track of all finances with accounting software for non-profits and regularly review expenses to try and make savings.
Start A Non-Profit Lottery
Following on from this, you will also want to try and find ways of bringing a steady stream of money into the organization, as this can make it much easier to manage. One of the best ways to do this is with a managed charity lottery service from somewhere like www.woodsvalldata.co.uk. Running a weekly lottery will bring in a regular stream of money, help you to reach more people, and grow your non-profit.
Document Your Progress
Many people want to support non-profits, but they also want to know that they are contributing to a cause that makes a difference. This is why it is so important for non-profits to document their progress and achievements, which can then be shown in case studies on the website and shared on social media.
Network & Encourage Word-Of-Mouth Marketing
When it comes to running a non-profit, you need to do all that you can to get your name out there and to build connections. Networking remains one of the most effective ways to do this, so you should be looking to attend as many relevant events as possible as well as networking online (a good way to maintain relationships). You should also encourage word-of-mouth marketing to improve your reputation and reach a larger group.
However, you should also read this guide for information on grants for ad campaigns – they might be cheaper than you think.
Hopefully, these tips will come in handy and help you to achieve your goals as a non-profit so that you can help your community.