The Leaders of Growing Nonprofits are doing these things DIFFERENTLY . . .
The other day I was thinking through my decade-plus of clients and reflecting on what the leaders whose nonprofits scaled at a higher rate were doing differently. There were a few distinct themes separating those who were aggressively scaling vs. moderately growing.
And before you say it….I know, I know. Not every organization wants to scale by 2X or 5X. About half of my clients come to me to help diversify their revenue first, before scaling! But, most want to grow beyond that 5-7% of growth per year.
Scaling your charitable revenue (especially gen-ops dollars) allows you to smooth out cash flow, invest in retaining your employees, pay solid living-wage salaries, become less dependent on earn revenue, and build a reserve fund. Most nonprofits WANT to do that!
Those distinct themes between aggressively scaling and steadily growing? Want them? See below ⬇️
Aggressively scaling: Constantly invest in teaching their team to be effective fundraisers.
Moderately growing: Set aside small professional development budget per staff member.
Aggressively scaling: Embrace innovation and take calculated risks with larger rewards.
Moderately growing: Hesitate to invest in anything that feels like a donor might see as risky.
Aggressively scaling: Build relationships for 6-24 months to secure the donor's best gift.
Moderately growing: Spend too much time on events, appeals, and campaigns that produce quick wins but leave money on the table.
Aggressively scaling: Set the budget based on the true financial need of your strategic growth plans and learn how to raise to your true need!
Moderately growing: Set the budget based on the financial need of your strategic growth plans and worry incessantly that you won’t reach it.
Remember….Whether you want to diversify revenue or grow your nonprofit’s philanthropic revenue by 2X-5X you must embody this mentality.
➡️ And then invest in your team, systems, and board like there’s no other option.
Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:
👣 Follow me on LinkedIn where I share the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and adding 7-figures + to their bottom line.
🍎 Read my GUIDE! THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVE/GETS :: Top 5 Reasons Your Board’s Give/Get Is Leaving Thousands (Sometimes Millions) on the Table. See how limiting board members to the Give/Get model restricts gifts and keeps your staff from reaching their full fundraising potential. Here to get it.
📈 Work with me to scale your org's revenue by 2-5X and fund your organization’s Strategic Plan // If you’re a business-minded CEO already raising MILLIONS but need to diversify revenue and secure more general-operating dollars to invest in growth, you can apply to work with me here.
