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What makes a good organisation… GREAT?

A PRESENTATION TO THE TONIC CONFERENCE, TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND BY KAT E F RY K B E R G , T H I N K TA N K C O N S U LT I N G

K AT E @ T H I N KTA N K . C O. N Z1 0 N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 6

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Outline1. Definitions of GREAT

2. Expert opinions on what makes a non-profit great

3. My thoughts on what makes a non-profit great ◦ What helps to effectively enable positive social change?◦ How does GOOD compare to GREAT?◦ How to fund great organisations

4. Six useful questions

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What does GREAT mean for non-profits? Peter Drucker:

“The bottom line for a non-profit organisation is changed lives”

My definition: “A great non-profit effectively enables positive

social change”

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What others say on what makes a good organisation great

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What the experts say:Peter Drucker – the management school approach:

Mission comes first A great strategy Managing for performance The right people and relationships Great leadership

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What the experts say:Charity rating sites – it’s all about metrics:

Givewell: Evidence-based programmes Cost effectiveness Transparency

Charity Watch Programme costs vs overhead costs Efficiency of fund-raising

Not really measures of changed lives!

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What the experts say:Forces for Good: Analysing what helps impact:

Both advocate and serve Harness market forces Engage supporters, donors and volunteers Work as allies not competitors Be nimble and innovative Share leadership and empower others

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My personal perspectiveson what makes a good organisation great

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What helps enable positive social change? Working at “kitchen table and

legislative chamber” Working together Environments where people help

themselves and each other Challenging power structures

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Good compared to Great: Vision

A GOOD organisation: has a clearly articulated

vision / kaupapa

A GREAT organisation: uses their vision for

everyday decision making

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Good compared to Great: Community

A GOOD organisation: Consults with & serves

their communities

A GREAT organisation: Actively involves the

communities they serve

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Good compared to Great: Approach

A GOOD organisation: Provides effective, evidence-

based services

A GREAT organisation: Supports people to help

themselves and each other

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Good compared to Great: Leadership

A GOOD organisation: Has good leadership and

strong teams

A GREAT organisation: The whole is greater than

the sum of the parts

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Good compared to Great: Money

A GOOD organisation: Has well managed finances

A GREAT organisation: Has fit-for-purpose finances

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Good compared to Great: Impact

A GOOD organisation: Evaluates their impact

A GREAT organisation: Constantly learns and adapts

what they do

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Good compared to Great: Collaboration

A GOOD organisation: Networks well and has

MOUs in place

A GREAT organisation: Works collectively for the

good of communities

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Good compared to Great: Relationships

A GOOD organisation: Has good relationships with

everyone

A GREAT organisation: Has open, honest and brave

relationships

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Funding a great org - where philanthropy fits in Income Source Philanthropy?Contracts for ServicesTraditional fund-raising activities (eg events)Earned income (social enterprise)

MembershipSponsorship

Grants Y

Donations (including bequests and regular giving)

Y

Crowd-funding YSocial finance (eg social loans) SometimesAdapted from Exult - Helping Non-Profits Grow www.exult.co.nz

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Helpful Hints for philanthropic funding Look for a close fit between what you do and what they fund Try to have a conversation before applying Look at who they have funded & how much Write applications for an audience who: Don’t have much time (keep in succinct!) Are not experts in your field (keep it simple and clear)

Calculate your “net grant” ($ received – your time) Build honest, reciprocal relationships with funders

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Six useful questions1. Do we use our vision as a touchstone for

decision making? 2. Does our board and team reflect our

community? 3. Do we put our community first? (Even, if

necessary, ahead of our own survival?)4. Can we articulate why we do what we do? 5. Are we a learning organisation? 6. Do we have robust relationships within our

organisation and with our stakeholders?

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Final thoughts “Changed lives” and effectively enabling

positive social change is hard, important work

The road is long, slow and full of potholes and things beyond our control

What matters is the journey The most important thing is relationships