You already have your purpose and mission in mind for starting your Non-Profit Organization (NPO).
Now you need to know how to effectively manage your organization.
Here is a handy list of tips for managing your NPO to achieve the best results.
Maintain Your Volunteer Team
Your NPO will undoubtedly need various types of volunteers to operate effectively. Volunteers are essential to an NPO, so keeping up their motivation, education, and communication will benefit all greatly.
Hiring volunteers will be an ongoing process. So, set up an adequate induction program for each new batch of eager individuals. Students in social work, for example, will most likely fill a lot of volunteer spaces since a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree requires fieldwork.
Use your induction program to tell them what to expect as a first-year MSW student. Combine this with truly selling your NPO’s mission, as well as showing them how beneficial social workers are for NPOs.
Volunteers need to feel passionate about the cause. Make them feel appreciated, needed, supported, and important with consistent check-ins and education. Provide them with ample opportunities to have their ideas heard. New voices are vital for your organization’s growth.
Maintain Your Employee Team
Employees work a bit differently from volunteers.
Hire skilled individuals. But make sure to give everyone, especially those who struggle with income, an opportunity. For example, you could hire homeless individuals, veterans, or individuals with criminal records.
Naturally, set expectations and give detailed job descriptions from the get-go, so you’re all on the same page. This includes being transparent about long- and short-term plans, budgets, mission, and intended results.
Keep your team diverse. This displays cultural awareness, opens up connections to different communities, and allows for bigger-picture decision-making.
With fun wellness competitions among your employees, you can ensure their overall health. Encouraging social time also allows them to connect and ultimately feel a sense of belonging.
Research Donation Acceptance Policies
You’ll already know that NPOs are built upon donations.
But you may not be aware of how specific donation acceptance policies are. They are already stated by the government or the IRS, so ensure you and your finance team are well aware of them.
NPOs need to specify to the public what will help them and what exactly they need. What type of gifts will you and will you not accept? What are the circumstances under which you will receive specific gifts? And how are you going to record and track contributions and major donations?
All of these questions guide your organization so that donations go to good use, rather than to waste.
Regulate Finances
Finances in an NPO are just as important as in a For-Profit Organization.
Consider everything. And consider it from the very beginning. Create a budget from scratch at the start of each year. And update and adjust it monthly and quarterly based on new information or unpredictable changes. Money management, adaptability, and innovation are vital to your NPO’s success.
Regulating your finances allows you and your team to constantly pursue positive change.
Don’t ignore anything. This includes assets, liabilities, and risk assessments. Be realistic.
Additionally, be realistic towards your goals. Make your long-/medium-/short-term goals specific, measurable, achievable, and time-limited.
When you set up your fundraising activities, ask yourself questions surrounding them. For example: when will we expect to generate the most and the least income? And then plan your budget around this.
Communicate With Donators And Supporters
Every donor and supporter needs to know exactly what they’re supporting in your NPO.
All generations, but especially Millennials and Gen Z, are passionate about social change and responsibility. They want to know that their investment is going to good use.
Be completely transparent with every one of your donators. Social media can help to be fully open with the public, gaining their trust and an overall better following. Keep your language simple, personalized, and attention-grabbing when communicating your intentions. Everyone should understand and feel included.
Social media also allows you to connect with other organizations on the same wavelength as you. Your ultimate goal is to make a change, not to compete. Think about forming potential partnerships and discussing ideas with those organizations with a similar mission to yours.
And always portray your passion and dedication to the public as well – this will truly enhance your cause.
Keep Your Ultimate Mission In Mind
It is too easy to get thrown off track with all the above considerations. So, make sure to frequently revert to your ultimate mission and initial intention.
Why did you start your NPO in the first place? That’s what’s most important.
Keep on topic, so to speak. Any fundraising endeavors shouldn’t veer too far from your original purpose. Although diversity and novelty are important too. Keep all in consideration.
You want your organization to be sustainable, profitable, and have longevity. And you will be able to stick to these values by considering all the above factors together.
