Nonprofit Growth Rates Are at a 5 Year High
New nonprofits are being started today in waves not seen since 2010. In fact, at the current pace, there will be over 1.6 million registered nonprofits in the U.S. by end of 2016, and as many as 2.25 million nonprofits total. When you add these newcomers to the existing number of nonprofit agencies you have to wonder “Is there room enough for all of these agencies?”How will their presence impact your local landscape and your standard operations? Will there be enough donors to go around? How about volunteers? What does this explosive growth mean for you and your organization?
Our team has combined exhaustive new research with existing industry trends from a variety of top sources. We’ve compiled a new insightful report — The State of Nonprofits — just released today.
As a nonprofit leader, Executive Director or board member, you won’t want to ignore this massive increase in nonprofit growth. The changes we’re seeing may have a significant impact on your outreach efforts and operations. What worked in the past for you may no longer be effective. How might these new entrants impact your agency? They will touch every facet of your organization, requiring you to look at new ways to remain successful and relevant.
Nonprofit Growth Trends
1.6 million nonprofits is a huge number of organizations that will all be seeking many of the same resources — funding, staff, and board members that existing agencies have come to rely on to deliver significant impact in their own communities. So what are some of the key elements you need to think about?
- Obviously, there will be more agencies seeking funding. With the donor base remaining fixed and the number of agencies growing, that means many more people contacting your donors and seeking their help.
- Your very best board members may start hearing from these new agencies, asking them to consider serving on their board. The same holds true for those keyboard candidates you have been cultivating in anticipation of openings on your board. How will you keep your candidates and existing board members engaged and focused?
- You probably have special relationships with several key community strategic partners. Will any of these come under pressure as other, well-intended agencies come onto the scene?
- Will your major donors and social supporters remaining fully invested your mission or can you expect some to adopt these new causes? How will you handle that jolt to your bottom line?
- Some members of your key staff may also find themselves being recruited or otherwise “called” to join the new entrants. How can you re-recruit your key performers so they understand the value they bring and how much you respect and appreciate the contributions they make to your agency’s clients?
- Will you need to do more marketing or community outreach to ensure your agency does not get lost in the crowded nonprofit field? How can you use social media to keep your supporters informed without overwhelming with content so they stay “close” and engaged with your mission?
- Are any of the new agencies working with your same clientele? If so, what is their impact? Are they better at providing some service than you are? If s, made you should merge that part of your agency into theirs.
These 7 elements are only a few of challenges that could impact your organization. Discover what you need to know, by getting your copy of the 2016 Nonprofit Trends Report.