As most of you are aware, I come from a Finance/Accounting background. I found it rather interesting in chapter 1 of the Forces for Good (2008) where it is mentioned that one of the myths of a unsuccessful non-profits is having low budgets. Although I am not disputing that argument; I find that having a larger budget helps lead to a more successful organization. From what I have come across in my little experience in dealing with some of the local non-profits, their main reason for their "struggles" is due to a low budget.
I truly believe, as I'm sure most do that money certainly makes things much easier. However, this is argument suggests that non-profits must be creative to be successful, and not necessarily need an increased budget to move things forward. Fund raising strategies and other low cost, but high effective methods of functioning from day to day are key.
Although it was just chapter 1 of this book, I though the authors did a fine job in laying out a framework for successful non-profits and a high level overview of what is to come in the rest of the book.
Matt,
ReplyDeleteI agree- I think that having access to more resources will help an organization to flourish. Not having these resources definitely can limit their effectiveness. The staff would be spending more time looking for ways around spending money than actually helping their intended targets. The amount of people that will ultimately benefit from the organization will be less because of a lack of funds.