The sustainable nonprofit: Optimizing operations for community impact

The past two years have been defined by disruption, and for many individuals and organizations, the prospect of more change may be intimidating. In fact, half of respondents to a recent Innovation Process Design (IPD) survey of community foundations said they worry about overwhelming staff with process changes. In reality, however, thoughtfully examining and optimizing operations—the day-to-day organizational activities that define how an organization achieves its objectives—can actually help philanthropic and nonprofit organizations recapture time, improve accuracy, increase coaching, and otherwise enhance their community impact.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a significant driver of change over the past two-plus years, as organizations scrambled to adjust to a rapidly evolving work environment and shifting community needs. According to the IPD survey, 92 percent of organizations installed virtual meeting systems to support a remote workforce, and 66 percent went paperless. Further, 66 percent of survey respondents reassigned job responsibilities and 61 percent overhauled operations.

Now, with two-thirds of organizations anticipating appreciable growth as the pandemic eases, changes are likely to continue through 2022 and beyond. Quite simply, organizations will have to make changes if they hope to keep up with demand. In light of that anticipated growth, 65 percent of organizations plan to bring in a major new operation in the coming year, 83 percent plan to expand or add programs, and 43 percent plan to create or execute a new strategic plan....

Read the full column article by Lee Kuntz, founder and president of Innovation Process Design Inc. 

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