The Foraker Group

Last week I talked about “focus” being the most important factor in achieving sustainability in your organization. Although focus is critical, the other three sustainability principles must also be in place to have a well-functioning organization. Having the right people – represented by the board and staff working in balance – will always be a factor in the sustainability of an organization, although the skills required for the people themselves may change as the environment changes.

Partnerships are essential for a sustainable organization, but partners will change as circumstances change. Unrestricted funds are always needed, but the sources of that support will change as the funding landscape evolves.

Organizations that use the lenses – focus, right people, partnerships and unrestricted funds – as a way to view their actions become more resilient and are able to achieve the following:

• Focus on founding principles, make strategic decisions and look ahead
• Recruit and retain the right board and staff and work together effectively as partners
• Seek and nurture strategic partnerships and maximize impact
• Assure sufficient unrestricted funds to take advantage of opportunities and handle emergencies

Using the lenses, you can begin to understand the dynamics of sustainability. Then, and only then, is it time to develop programs and services.

–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.