How to Manage a Non-Profit Organization
Do you envision yourself dedicating your career to helping others? Possibly managing an organization that serves the sick, the needy, or the elderly? There are many facets of running a not-for-profit organization and the smaller the organization's operating budget, the more roles an executive can play. Below you will find basic, helpful steps in managing an organization successfully.
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Things You'll Need
- College Degree (Bachelor's or higher typically) Non-profit work experience is helpful
Instructions
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Manage your non-profit as a business. You may be providing a free or discounted service to the community but you will still need to pay the rent, keep the lights on, generate revenue, manage a budget and oversee employees and/or volunteers. If you are thinking about a career in non-profit management, consider whether or not you are comfortable serving in a role where you are expected to make non-emotional business decisions about liability insurance, vendors, and staffing issues.
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Find the right people to serve on your Board of Directors and committees. Engage your most active board members to help recruit new individuals to fill seats as term limits expire. An ideal Board of Directors will include individuals who are committed to your organization's mission, can bring financial resources to the table and stay engaged without attempting to micro-manage the paid staff. Non-profit boards often consist of business leaders, members of clergy, educators and others who are active and known in the community.
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Manage people effectively and treat them the way you would want to be treated. Understand that your staff is most likely working for less pay than they would in the for-profit world. Involve your staff in decisions whenever possible so they feel more invested in the organization. Keep morale higher with annual raises whenever possible and small gestures of appreciation, such as treating staff to lunch, instituting a dress-down Friday or by having a holiday party. Such efforts may seem insignificant to you but go a long way toward making sure staff members are happy and content with your organization.
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Always appreciate your volunteers. Always respect and appreciate your volunteers and the time and resources they commit to your organization. They serve your organization because they want to; they have been touched by the cause, are committed to the mission and want to help others. There is a fine line between management of volunteers and management of paid staff; a volunteer who has been reprimanded may not return the next day.
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Be up for the challenge of raising money. If you are responsible for fundraising but do not have a development background, learn as much as you can through courses, workshops and books. Talk to seasoned fundraising professionals and put them on your Development Committee or board, if possible. Learn how to write grants and run successful events. Learn the basics of planned giving and annual appeals. Always remember, you can never raise too much money for your organization.
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Tips & Warnings
Many colleges offer non-profit management courses, so take advantage of them if you can. Network with other not-for-profit executives and business leaders; join a local organization for non-profits if one is available. Always be on the lookout for potential board and committee members and volunteers. Act as a mentor to staff and volunteers - involve staff in decisions when possible. Take a grantwriting course if you are not familiar with the grantwriting process.
Be prepared to act in different capacities in a small organization. Staff turnover is often higher in non-profit organizations Working environment is not always ideal; cramped office space with second-hand furniture is not unsual for a small, storefront organization. Fundraising is always challenging and never guaranteed year to year.
