Nonprofit Trends 2011

This is advice about a dissertation research topic by Dr. Paul Rux to one of his 2011D.B.A. (Doctor of Business Administration) students

Sustainability techniques for nonprofits ought to be wide-open to new research.

Here is why. As our economy continues to crash, tank, all of us, especially nonprofits, must learn how to do more with less.

In manufacturing we call it "lean." The environmentalists call it "sustainability."

The challenge is how to stretch diminishing resources; this is going to be a huge challenge, need out there. Become expert in it; you will carve out a profitable professional future for yourself.

In fact, your humble servant here is in the process of dealing with the IRS right now about his nonprofit. It is a paperwork nightmare.

Beyond the IRS however is declining donations. I am a member of our local chapter of the AFP, Association of Fundraising Professionals, and our membership has dropped by half over the past year!

There is less and less money out there; this means what money people get, they will need to stretch, stretch, stretch.

Moreover, the IRS and Congress are threatening to remove the tax breaks for gifts, donations to nonprofits. If this happens, the "sky will fall" on nonprofits, and they will be evern more desperate to do more with much, much less than they are now.