President of Opportunity Knocks Explains the Playing Field for Nonprofit Organizations

STATUS REPORT: In the first nine months of 2008, 35 percent of nonprofits experienced decreased giving. Then the stock-market plunge depleted foundation coffers by some 30 percent. The result: 100,000 nonprofits could perish, according to Paul Light, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. But there’s a flip side: Nonprofits had been outpacing the business sector—assets of public charities grew 48.5 percent between 2001 and 2006—and are expected to do so again in a rebound.

OUTLOOK: Organizations specializing in energy, the environment, and health care are expected to grow fastest when the economy recovers. Meanwhile, the shift to social entrepreneurship—launching profitable projects that support nonprofit missions—has many organizations looking beyond classic fundraising formulas. “What’s really been increasing are business ventures,” says Karen Beavor, CEO and president of Opportunity Knocks and the Georgia Center for Nonprofits. “Nonprofits are looking for new sources of capital.”

BREAKING IN: The movement toward a business model means new opportunities for those with for-profit sales, marketing, and management skills. One must-have trait: commitment. “Focus on a particular issue and you’ll be a strong candidate,” says Russ Finkelstein, associate director of Idealist.org, which connects organizations, volunteers, and employees. Yearlong service programs offering moderate wages but invaluable experience (e.g., AmeriCorps) are an increasingly popular entry track. Also check out opportunityknocks.org.

—KATE SIBE
Source:

Outside Magazine