Successful nonprofit organizations require commitment, grit, and determination. However, not every mission of your nonprofit will succeed. Identify the common grounds that cause these mistakes. Probably you’ve misallocated your resources or are too ambitious for an event.
Common mistakes to avoid with your nonprofit
Sometimes we don’t realize that we are already making a mistake and we don’t know that it can have a huge impact after things are already becoming worse. So, if you have recently established a nonprofit organization, here are some things that you should put your attention to:
Underestimating the power of fundraisers
Nonprofit organizations depend on fundraisers or donations to keep their operations intact. Money is needed to pay off rent, utility bills, and most importantly, food. Even though the causes of nonprofit organizations are as humane and noble as possible, they are still not exempt from the expenses of the general public.
Not appropriating a proper budget
That being said, the first thing that nonprofit organizations should do is to design and execute a budget for projects, admin works, and programs. After doing so, a significant amount of that money should be saved for another work development. Failure to create a successful budget and prepare for another one could lead to a quick exit for nonprofit organizations.
Poor people management skills
People management starts with hiring good people that can fit your organization. This may sound tough, given that nonprofit organizations usually give lower or no salaries at all for their members, but you should still try to look for quality over quantity. Yes, looking for people to work for your nonprofit organization may mean requiring them to do more for less, but still one good hire is better than a hundred people that may turn out to be bad hires later on.
Not employing employee morale
Now if you are already confident with the people that you have on your organization, you should focus on keeping them. If you can give salary raises, you should do so, but if not, you can give out incentives or throw occasional lunches or dinner parties to your people. Make sure to engage and bond with your people as much as possible to build a sense of “family” or “togetherness” with them.
No legal counsel
Nonprofit organizations are also bound by law the same way as all other companies. Having a legal counsel by your side helps you to be briefed about the policies governing your operations, as well as the possible actions that your organization may take, in the event that a lawsuit was filed against you.
Having unqualified leaders
Leaders in nonprofit organization generally have the decision-making power, and of course, you do not want to be giving that power to someone who is not incompetent or “shady”. Make sure that your management team or the board of directors would be people who genuinely care for the set goals of the organization, for the future or the survival of the organization, and most importantly, for the people working in the organization.
Lacking “brand presence”
Lastly, if your nonprofit organization is some entity that no one has ever heard of, then you are making a big mistake. You would not be able to accomplish the following if you do not promote the name of your organization: hiring good people, getting successful fundraisers, getting good partnerships, and many more.
Starting a nonprofit organization is not an easy thing to do. So, when you already succeed on that part, make sure that you will never commit these mistakes to ensure that your org will never be crippled down.
How to avoid the pitfalls of your mistakes?
How to minimize or curb the mistakes you’ve done for your nonprofit? While most nonprofits are largely inclined to risks, you can minimize these concerns, or eliminate them, with these tried and true tips.
Set strategic deadlines
Strategic deadlines help to make sure that you and your teams are accomplishing a set of tasks that will move you closer to your goals. Aside from that, your team will be more motivated by experiencing small wins after completing every task connected to your general goal.
Create SMART goals
When creating goals for your nonprofit organization, make sure to stay specific, measureable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound. Many groups tend to float around aiming too high to attain, and thus, got burned out in the end. Hold realistic expectations with the resources, timeframe, and planning you have.
Appreciate your staff
When your employees have done a good job, give them some recognition! That way, they feel appreciated, trusted, and valued. When employees feel this way, they develop more trust, self-esteem, and productivity.
Train members and give them accountability
Give your team members a sense of purpose, a goal, or objective to accomplish. That way, they have a purpose, a meaning, and something to look forward to in your company. When we say employee growth, it doesn’t have to be a promotion or added job work, instead, you invite them to attend a training, seminar, or workshop to hone their skills.
Adopt a budget and set measures to it
Always adopt a budget and set measure not to go overboard with it. Your budget allows you to thwart any excesses that won’t give value to your organization. It imposes not a limit, rather, the prioritization of what’s important to the nonprofit.
Leverage the power of digital marketing
After jotting down your goals and action plan, know where and which online marketing channels will work best for your brand. You should only choose a few good channels that work for your brand voice.
