"Nothing works unless you do". Maya Angelo

Fidelitycharitable.org recently published an article entitled The Five Qualities of an Effective Charity. Each of these areas can inspire goals for YOUR nonprofit. With a few additions from me, here are the first two items on their list:

1. The nonprofit has a clear mission and purpose. Are you and the board of directors clear about your organization’s mission and purpose? Does everyone involved agree to, understand and embrace that mission and purpose? Are you using that mission and purpose to influence your decision-making process? Volunteers, potential grantors and the people you serve have to receive a consistent message about why your organization exists and that you are all about fulfilling a need in your community.

2. Strong practices, procedures, and policies guide the nonprofit’s operations. NLLI is working with an organization who are doing this right now. For-profit organizations have to have these in place. What wouldn’t nonprofits do the same? This goes hand-in-hand with focusing on the mission and purpose of the organization. A handbook for the organization should include a full section on informing potential employees, members of the board, volunteers and potential grantors how you will, for instance, pay employees, handle employment, recruit volunteers, etc. Be sure to apply these tips as your nonprofit goes through each phase in its growth. The remainder of the tips will be included in next week’s blog.