What's It All About?

I had a conversation recently with a friend who wondered why some not-for-profit organizations (i.e. fellowships, churches, and ministries) fail to grow. I have not researched this extensively, specific to this category of organizations. However, should we apply principles used in the corporate world to such entities, we may deduce a few things to note. If you're not part of a 501(c)(3) or have yet to define your calling, you may apply this blog post to your business or employment.

To answer the question: why is there minimal to no growth in not-for-profit organizations? We will likely have to address a few fundamental thoughts.

First, growth must be defined appropriately. Using the working definition that "Growth is simply an increase over time," we must affirm, prior to in-depth discussions, that growth in such organizations may not be profit-driven but mission-driven. Therefore, the growth of such organizations may be increased participation, attendance records, people reached, or lives changed. One would assume that a not-for-profit organization is focused on changing lives, knowing money is needed to get the work done, but nonetheless focused on the lives changed.

Secondly, having laid the profit issue to rest, the next debate often discussed is mission landscape/terrain. According to Porter's five forces (a tool used to determine competitive landscape under the assumption of scarcity), these five things affect growth: Threat of new entrants, Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new substitutes, and Competitive rivalry. Permit me to address this directly; the idea that a mission competes with another for its assignment is contrary to the simple idea of changing lives according to the specific assignment given. If the mission aims to change lives without regard for who the change agent is (self or others), the idea of competition must be erased. Mission-minded organizations must have an abundant mindset for the assignment they've been given and be less concerned with what others may be doing.

With these two thoughts aired (growth as changed lives and an abundance mindset), the question of why not-for-profit organizations fail to grow is simply a loss of focus. A mission that is clearly defined, and centered around people, should always want the best for people, regardless of how that best comes. Such missions must ask themselves often, what is it all about? I imagine changed lives will ring true to all missions. Praying we all keep this in mind as we deliver of God's assignments for us here on earth.

Best wishes,

L.B.