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MEDIA, JOBS & RESOURCES for the COMMON GOOD


3 comments

  • Mrs Sandra V says:

    Thank you for the interesting discussion. Something that may benefit the above is to actually move away from the term 'Not for Profit' which for many many people is extremely misleading. Unfortunately it is interpreted by some quite literally which is not the case. As we know, the 'Not for Profit' only refers to how surplus funds can be distributed (ie profits cannot be distributed to shareholders or members). A Not for Profit must make a surplus or profit because otherwise it will become insolvent like any "for Profit" organisation. Certainly there can be discussion about the scale of surplus or profit but I suspect even that becomes to a degree moot if the following change were taken up. I know that there has been talk of changing the sector name to "For Purpose". Making such a change, I suspect would have many positive consequences for not only the above discussed issue but also the quality/diversity of people attracted to the sector.

  • There are three basic problems which stem from the argument outlined in this article: 1. Culturally in the sector as well as in the general public, people believe the term 'not-for-profit' means you can not make money. 2. Organisations do not understand the competitive advantage they have over business and how reinvesting money into their organisation adds value to clients. It is not always about offering the cheapest or free service to everyone. 3. Business can get a lot from supporting not-for-profits but they should not try to do the 'social' work themselves. We all need to recognise the tremendous working being done by organisations with a view to their expansion rather than going off on your own. There is a way all this can work, but the changes must come from within the NFP sector first. The risk is otherwise they will be over run by businesses who for all their 'social good' and 'moral drive to add value to the community' will always be beholden to their shareholders. The trick is in showing both parties how it can work for them. The answer is simple when you take it step by step and work on solid foundation, understand how everyone needs to benefit then provide the outlets for success. I have spent some time developing a framework which will be published in my book next year.

  • Graham says:

    here is an interesting concept on changing the way we fund change – http://profitforothers.com/blog/changing-the-way-we-fund-change/


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