Join a community before you try to help that community

[Amit Banerjee]

#4504 Reply |

Many nonprofit organizations show up trying to solve issues found in different types of communities. Typically its led by a board that has a very limited relationship with the community they are trying to serve. Nonprofits should spend significant resources to build a relationship with the communities they expect to serve before coming in as an “outsider” or “savior”. It allows for more long-term impact and makes the community more receptive to the mission of the nonprofit.

[Sandy Birkenmaier]

#4531 Reply |

When we, as nonprofits, attempt to join a community that we wish to help, we must make sure that we are doing much more listening than talking. When we are talking, we tend not to be listening, and we often keep other community members from speaking. We need to thoroughly learn what the community’s issues are before we presume to fix their problems.

[Hugh Ballou]

#4544 Reply |

We all do better and perform at a higher level if we have a community with a common cause aligned by similar values and principles

[David J Dunworth]

#4573 Reply |

I see a lot of activity in developing a 501c3 as a means of promoting a personal mission. Example: a woman I know formed one to educate children on bullying, learning they have value and are deserving of respect, etc.
It took her years of work to advance because she tried to do everything herself. With support from the onset she could have advanced her mission significantly.
She finally hired consulting and that moved her dream closer to maximizing her impact. She now shares her programs in Africa and across the nation.
Support works. We don’t know what we don’t know.

[David J Dunworth]

#4574 Reply |

Much like growing a small business, identifying the ideal audience to network with, find collaborators and volunteers.
Gotta get out there at the right places.

[Author]

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