The Foraker Group

For an organization to begin its sustainability journey, it must consider how different aspects of sustainability are interrelated. An organization may have the right people, partnerships, and even adequate unrestricted funds, but without focus, it may not have what it needs to keep it on track. Focus is the most important factor – it is an organization’s foundation.

An organization’s founding purpose and values are part of its focus. In a sustainable nonprofit, purpose and values don’t change. The focus reflects the passion of the founders, defining what they intended to accomplish and why. Focus serves as the anchor for everything an organization does. It helps provide the answer to the fundamental question: Who are we?

The other part of focus is flexibility – it helps an organization stay relevant. It answers the question: Where are we going? That direction is under constant review. As the external environment changes, an organization must adjust so it can continue to move in the right direction.

Together, the founding purpose and values and a clear direction provide a focus that is both true to the intent of the founders and currently relevant to the community in which it operates.

Is your organization’s focus clear not only to the board and staff but to those who support you financially? Give us your tips on how you communicate your organization’s focus to the external world.

–Dennis

Dennis McMillian, president of The Foraker Group, a capacity building organization based Alaska, and the author of Focus on Sustainability: A Nonprofit’s Journey.