The Non Nonprofit

For-Profit Thinking for Nonprofit Success

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7 For-Profit Principles That Build Nonprofit Success

One

Have a Clear and Appropriate Purpose

Purpose establishes an organization’s rationale for existence. It is what an organization strives to achieve, and once that purpose is established, it doesn’t waver.

Two

Measure What Counts

Metrics have a way of focusing our attention. In a world of limited resources, it’s critical to measure what counts because organizations get what they measure.

Three

Be Market Driven

There are many elements of marketing—advertising, brand management, and public relations, to name a few—but the most important one is the least often understood by traditional nonprofits: serving your customers.

Four

Create Mutual Accountability

Successful organizations practice mutual accountability with every stakeholder, whether clients, participants, customers, donors, staff, or government.

Five

Support Personal Empowerment

An empowered individual can manage his or her emotions, thinking, and behavior to achieve positive, long-term life goals.

Six

Create Economic Value from Social Benefit

Many are accustomed to thinking about social good in terms of moral imperative rather than economic benefit, but every improvement in social good does in fact have monetary value.

Seven

Be Learning Driven

Great organizations aren’t distinguished by getting it right the first time. A learning-driven approach is an ongoing part of the strategy of great organizations.

Steve Rothschild is the founder and board chair of Twin Cities RISE! He also founded Invest in Outcomes, which developed the Human Capital Performance Bond (HUCAP), a new financial instrument to fund nonprofits. He launched Yoplait yogurt in the U.S. and later became Executive Vice President of General Mills.

Steve publishes article in Community Development Investment Review

April 17, 2013

Steve authored an article about Human Capital Performance Bonds for the Pay for Success issue of the Community Development Investment Review, a publication of The Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

Human Capital Performance Bonds (HUCAP) are State “annual appropriation” bonds that are purchased by social investors who support organizations that demonstrate positive societal impact.

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Twin Cities RISE! provides employers with skilled workers by training under- and unemployed adults for skilled jobs that pay a living wage of at least $20,000 annually.