Today’s Chronicle of Philanthropy identified 10 trends that are a bit unnerving. These are outside forces that are making life a challenge to put it lightly for anyone trying to carry out a nonprofit mission.
These trends are worrisome at best. They point out warning signs and potholes on the road to a nonprofit’s success.
I’d much rather see the pundits give us some good news coming down the pike for 2010. Listen, I’m the eternal optimist. There’s got to be a way to find something to be hopeful about! : )
Here are the trends that the Chronicle has pointed out:
10 Trends – Emerging Forces for 2010
1) Governments in Crisis – this means that we won’t be seeing grants and support from the governmental sector come back anytime soon. Let’s just hope that your nonprofit has not over-relied on government support!
2) Strains in the Safety Net – yes, this is troubling. Nonprofits are being asked to fill the gaps in the safety net. Can they do it?
3) A Full-Court Press for Modest Gifts – the mega gifts are really declining. And smart organizations are focusing on smaller gifts from generous donors.
4) Grim Grants Outlook – since foundations’ endowments lost so much in the stock market, the funds available for grantees has shrunk considerably for 2010.
5) A Weakened Charity Work Force – ok, so there have been alot of layoffs in our sector and people are straining to do more with less. We can handle it temporarily until things bounce back.
6) A Sharpened Eye on Charity Pay – oversight, transparency, scruitiny – it’s all there when examining nonprofit perks!
7) Rising Donor-Charity Tensions – donors are asking for more and more. They want to be able to control their gifts in ways we haven’t seen before.
Proving That Charity Works – outcomes, results, impact. That’s what everybody wants from us.
9) Volunteerism Becomes Cool – here’s a bright spot. Helping others is now the new cool. Yes!
10) A Stalled Online Revolution – I don’t agree with this one. The online world offers nonprofits incredible tools. We just need to learn how to use it.
I don’t want to hear words like: grim, stalled, weakened, tensions, strains and crisis, I am currently overdosed on the dark side.
Let’s look at the opportunities for us all – even in the midst of a challenging year. Last year, I published “7 Reasons for Fundraisers to be Optimistic in 09″ in the international AFP newsletter. I promise you that I’ll create an even longer list for 2010!
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