The Impact of Nonprofit Organizations, Reaction Paper Example

The key to a successful nonprofit organization is developing ways to achieve goals while inspiring the missions of the organization. Many nonprofit organizations have large goals and missions; particularly involving helping people. Government funding is often given to nonprofits to assist in the financial burden most work underneath.  With declining resources nonprofits are high especially hard. With limitless needs, nonprofits also look to the private sector for donations. In order to solicit funds from private organizations and individuals, nonprofits must have an intention to impact successfully on society.

Nonprofits must clarify their intended impact on society. The intended impact is a statement or series of statements about the organization and what it is trying to achieve and hold itself accountable for within some manageable period of time (Colby, Stone, & Carttar, 2004). A particular element of a nonprofit is that it seeks to serve both the organization and the beneficiaries of that organization. For example, one organization in California in the San Francisco Bay Area decided to help the homeless, specifically ages 12 to 24; specifying which part of the population to serve (Colby, Stone, & Carttar, 2004).  This provides a dedicated avenue and helps show the government and private sectors exactly what they are working towards; thereby recruiting support in a streamline, upfront and clear method.

There are strengths and weaknesses associated with nonprofit practices. Nonprofit organizations rely heavily on external funding and this can be problematic and unpredictable. Unreliable funding can impact the practice as this determines salary issues; long hours and low pay are employee determents creating high turnover in staffing. However, a strength which assists to some degree is the tax exemption status nonprofits can apply for to help control costs. Some individuals enjoy donating time to nonprofits and this factor can also help combat the funding issues.

Strategic priority development is useful for nonprofit organizations to explain the cause and effect the organization and the financial resources will be used. Providing continuity of service and dedication to the intended impact of the nonprofit also helps keep the organization in line and accountable. Strategic clarity helps the management team understand and evaluate with a specific measurement to determine the final outcomes. This is a process of inquiry and analysis, not a formula (Colby, Stone, & Carttar, 2004). An actionable intended impact is beneficial to providing realistic and achievable goals. It provides measurable metrics for accuracy.

This can also create discomfort among staff and key constituents by the implementation of new behaviors and expectations. Providing mentorship on change management will help empower the staff and open the pathway for problems to provide something good for individuals. A review of finances also provides the assurance that money is being spent effectively and efficiently. Ensuring that money spent is actually in line with the core mission is very important to keep on track. Providing clarity on priorities is vital to the success of a nonprofit. The organization’s leaders and board members are to hold themselves accountable for objectives that reflect their strategic priorities and are the dynamic that transforms an intended impact statement and theory of change from expressions of good intentions into strategic decision-making tools (Colby, Stone, & Carttar, 2004).

I believe in the benefits of nonprofit organizations and the need for them to develop strategic clarity to keep the organization in alignment with the missions. Nonprofits are organizations I have always respected and supported. In particular to the ones that assist individuals learning to help themselves build a high quality of life. The childcare centers which operate as nonprofits are also wonderful organizations helping families and the communities. I see the need to develop goals and intended impact statements in order to survive in today’s economy.  Recognizing the strengths and weaknesses is the most adventitious way to run a nonprofit practice. The relevance of this is the key to controlling impacting factors on the organization.

References

Colby, S., Stone, N., & Carttar, P. (2004). On impact. Stanford Social Innovation Review, 25-33.