Comments on: Dust off that crystal ball and gaze into 2010!

By: Kay Lorraine

Kay Lorraine — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 06:06:06 +0000

I predict that 2010 will be even worse for nonprofit than 2009 (if that’s even possible). The result will be that a lot of small organizations that have been running on a shoestring simply won’t be able to make it. And that’s too bad.

But the smart ones will quickly discover that there is safety in numbers. Savvy nonprofits will band together with like-minded organizations and share costs. They will disclose strategic planning information so as not to cannibalize each other’s programming and educational bases. I predict that the ones who will succeed are the ones who understand their clients’ needs and allocate their budgets to doing one thing really well rather than trying to be all things to all people.

By: Ingvild Bjornvold

Ingvild Bjornvold — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:02:10 +0000

It will begin to become apparent that nonprofits that manage their performance do better for their clients and they will become able to leverage that for fundraising, because funders and invididual donors are becoming more and more aware.

By: Anne Manner-McLarty

Anne Manner-McLarty — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:49:04 +0000

In 2010 I foresee a greater focus on donor relations and an increase in non-traditional donor recognition opportunities. For some organizations this will mean an increase in the number of named scholarships, endowed chairs or professorships and programs. For others, the combination of a tight economy and the leverage of donors interested in supporting a broader range of non-profits will result in naming opportunities and other listings that combine recognition for more than one donor. Across the board, online and digital recognition venues are drawing focus away from the traditional “plaque on the wall” to interactive media that translates the variety of reasons why donors give and motivates new giving.

Donor Recognition Consultant and VP/Creative for Robin E. Williams Incorporated

By: Mark Holmgren

Mark Holmgren — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:13:13 +0000

I think there is a lot of insight in the above comments. My two cents is this: I think we will continue to see a rise in crowdsourcing as it relates to micro-donations which you can read about here: http://wp.me/pikKB-7F

Consultant at Mark Holmgren Consulting

By: Eugenie Mukeshimana

Eugenie Mukeshimana — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:58:56 +0000

Hi Laura,
I predict that donors will give more money for sustainable development programs overseas. Donations to domestic programs will be more localized in the spirit of “good neighbors.” Innovative sound project may have a better chance to benefit from donors seeking to redirect their giving strategy. I also agree with previous comments posted about technology and its vital role for NGOs to navigate and manage data. If small NGOs are able to engage in direct contacts with donors, we could see a fall in donations given to big international NGOs. More donors are seeking to bypass the middle man and go right to the main beneficiary.
Top beneficiary causes:

Domestic:
- Green programs
- Education
- Health (depending on the outcome on the Healthcare Bill)
- Community development (including housing)

International causes:
- Health (HIV- Malaria will continue to dominate the field followed by water purification and nutrition programs)
- Community development (large emphasis on micro-credits)
- Education
- Social entreprise investments will rise
- There will be a worldwide rise of Youth involvement in social programs due to access of information through technology.

Overall the fittest and best connected will survive. Small organizations need to jump on the technology bandwagon to get in the game and stand out from the crowd. More than ever the “look” will matter. Websites that are outdated or don’t tell the story as it’s meant to be told could undermine the organization’s credibility.

Eugenie
Founder
http://www.rwandaconsulting.org

By: Jesse Osmun

Jesse Osmun — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:43:57 +0000

Sadly, in the wake of declining donations and donors, I see consolidation as a rising trend in order to survive. I’ve seen local United Way chapters literally ABSORB small non-profits into wings of their own outreach.

By: Hilary Morgan

Hilary Morgan — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:59 +0000

I agree with Irene. I also have been in the NGO world for the past 25 years. Too often non-profits feel that what they do is better or different than another non-profit providing the exact same service.We need to work together to reduce duplication, initiate mergers and focus entirely on the clientele we serve. This financial crisis is an opportunity for us to entirely re-think how non-profits address community need.

President & CEO Resourceful Results, LLC

By: Martha A. Lindley

Martha A. Lindley — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:53:40 +0000

There is now one nonprofit for every 223 persons in the United States. Perhaps some consolidation and mergers is a natural growth process for the sector. This is not to say that essential services should be decreased, but as any business person learns – there is an optimum size to maintain financial viability. As the recession makes individuals change, and for profit businesses change, we are now seeing how nonprofits will change as well to adapt.

Shareholder, Lindley and Company LLC, CPAs

By: Phil Parkinson

Phil Parkinson — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:26:58 +0000

Laura,

I do see 2010 as another year of competition for the funding pie. The funding pie is going to get smaller with governments cutting spending and raising taxes to thwart the massive deficits being run up.

Also, the financial markets are going to have more swings than orangutans frolicking within the trees of the jungles. Thus, investment income of endowment funds will be heavily pressed to earn respectable returns.

Overall, the people in need are going to get the royal shaft as usual. I hope I am wrong but the economy is just not ready to turn the corner yet.

Regards,

Phil
http://www.philparkinson.ca/

By: Jane Arsenault

Jane Arsenault — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 16:13:03 +0000

As others have noted, we do not see the economic climate improving for at least two years.

We see increasing use of networks as a model for contracting by state government as government seeks to reduce its own administrative overhead and encourage consolidation in the sector. Wraparound models that seek to create comprehensive interventions for families will soon be the norm for children’s mental health, child welfare services, and adult education/workforce development activities funded by states. Health reform, particularly Medicaid reform, will encourage community based alternatives rather than institutional or residential care. Residential providers for the elderly and people with disabilities will be the hardest hit in the social service sector.

We anticipate that the sector will continue to consolidate, with increasing numbers of large organizations providing back office supports for smaller entities. Unfortunately, the lights will go out for many nonprofits or they will devolve into all volunteer efforts.