It' only January 13, 2022 but I'm thinking that the year change isn't really feeling for most nonprofit boards like much tangible difference from 2021. All things being equal then, there's still time for ensuring your nonprofit ship stays off the rocks. What follows is some offering on how to accomplish this task by the folks at the Tallahassee Democrat.
Strategic thinking tops list of trends and predictions for 2022 Notes on Nonprofits
Nonprofits faced unprecedented challenges and opportunities in 2021 that will likely continue in the new year. Here is my list of trends and predictions for 2022.
Need for strategic thinking
The pandemic has caused some nonprofits to delay certain projects and revise their strategic plan. To maintain services and keep a nonprofit viable in the current climate, board members will need a greater understanding of the external forces impacting the people it exists to serve and the most effective way to serve them.
This will include financial forecasts based on the projected availability of funds, impact of COVID and its variants, and the results of the 2022 gubernatorial election. Identifying strategic thinkers and people with good problem-solving skills will be imperative when selecting new board members.
In 2022, nonprofits will need superior strategic plans with measurable outcomes. Thoughtful planning will require engaging key stakeholders, conducting or updating a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, and understanding the internal and external factors that will impact service delivery.
Importance of contingency plans
Boards will need to assess or re-assess their appetite for risk and review their investment strategies. They will need to give careful attention to developing and updating contingency plans that will enable the organization to successfully shift to provide services as needed. Prioritizing the growth of reserve funds is critical, not only to implement contingency plans but also to provide protection for funding changes at the local, state, and federal level. More than ever, it will be critical for nonprofits to be nimble, financially savvy, and future focused.
Adopt an equity mindset
As stewards of the public good, nonprofits will be expected to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion that is reflected in organizational policies, decision-making, board composition, and staff leadership at all levels. One approach is to adopt an “equity mindset” defined as “building on an awareness of systemic inequities and commits the organization to advancing equity in all that it does.” (Board Source, “The Four Principles of Purpose-Driven Board Leadership). I have to admit I am still mulling this so-called innovation by Board Source - I'm just not seeing the so-what.
Retain qualified workforce
Boards will have to find funding to meet the mandated increase in the minimum wage which may require adjustments in how services are delivered. This will require boards to be strategic and thoughtful as they consider a phased-in approach. Nonprofit leaders will need to act quickly to be competitive with at salaries, benefits, and overall workplace satisfaction to attract and retain a qualified workforce. I do think this a bit presumptive that it's "boards" who must find funding - I guess this to be true from a big picture perspective but I believe it's the staff who do the finding and then the board can partner with the staff to do the asking.
A survey conducted in November 2021 by the National Council on Nonprofits found that 80% of all the nonprofit organizations surveyed said salary has become a major issue in hiring, with real consequences. Finding ways to compete in the job market is one of the biggest challenges nonprofit leaders will face this year.
Data-driven decisions
Funders and key stakeholders will expect nonprofits to invest in their digital capacity to drive data-driven decision making. This will require nonprofits to have an electronic database of clients, donors and volunteers; a constituent relationship management platform; mobile friendly website; virtual meeting capability; and some level of cyber security to protect confidential client records, financial accounts, and donor information. Thankfully, more governmental entities, private funders, corporate, and individual donors are recognizing these as vital and allowable expenses. I honestly don't know what other types of decisions there are but I get the point. Meanwhile, dashboards are a great starting point.
Recurring giving
Recurring giving will remain at the top of my list of strategies that every nonprofit should include in their 2022 fundraising plan. This is an easy, convenient way for people to give monthly in any amount and a predictable source of unrestricted income for nonprofits. For your reference, this is what is done by public media. Do understand though that so-called "recurring giving" means that an individual is REALLY dedicated to mission and fully and frequently understands results. It's not just the structuring that matters but the communications as well.
Use of QR codes
One third of the direct mail solicitations I received in December included a QR code to enable readers to go directly to the website to learn more and/or make a gift. QR codes will continue to be used to elevate print communication and social media to drive traffic online.
Meeting the need for services
While the needs of people being served by the organization have not stopped, giving from all sources is down. Without the infusion of PPP loans or CARES Act funding, nonprofits will be on their own to fund a sustained and, in some cases, increased demand for services. This will drive nonprofits to seek larger philanthropic gifts from new and existing supporters, relaunch capital campaigns that have been paused, and launch new campaigns to meet unmet community needs. I don't know that this is a change in the world of nonprofits.
Prioritizing relationships
Driven by the mantra to “know thy donor,” more nonprofits will use phone calls, in person visits, and online meeting platforms to build relationships and ask for gifts. Nonprofits who rely solely on email, special events, and social media to engage donors will generally result in transactional gifts. Nonprofits who prioritize and invest in personal, authentic relationships will more likely receive transformational gifts. I hope 2022 will be the year more nonprofits will recognize the person behind the gift rather than defining donors by the size of their gift. Nonprofits who do this well will deepen donor loyalty and receive bigger investments in the mission. This too is not something new.
Remote work
Another trend based on lessons learned during the pandemic will be more requests by staff to work remotely. Nonprofits needs to become savvy at understanding the benefits of remote work, including the reduced need for office space. Supervisors will continue to learn new skills to manage remote workers and build a cohesive team. All these changes, in addition to health and safety protocols related to COVID testing, will require up-to-date personnel policies. This is a very sub-sector-centric reality and not applicable to all nonprofits within the sector.
Executive transitions
2021 was dubbed the year of the “great resignation” and I expect to see more executive transitions in 2022. As part of its planning process, boards will need to adopt or update its executive succession plan to be ready in the event of ab planned or early retirement and unexpected resignation. These conversations will need to include the current ED. Here is one of those predictions that has been repeated for 20+ years. The reality is that an executive succession plan should be readied by all nonprofits just as a norm of common-sense governance.
Donor and funder expectations
The more things change, the more they stay the same. As long as I have been in the fundraising profession, motivations for giving have always been changing and 2022 will be no different. In addition, public funders, private foundations, and other grant-makers will continue to expect the highest quality outcomes despite not covering the full cost to deliver services.
Notes on Nonprofits is produced by Alyce Lee Stansbury, CFRE, President of Stansbury Consulting and includes new ideas and resources, answers to reader questions, and timeless topics from the vault.