The chapter’s ‘Run Your Nonprofit Like a Business’ workshop will be held May 10
The Times
Similar to businesses, nonprofit organizations, in order to succeed, must operate under the same basic guidelines as for-profit entities. While not primarily focused on making money, nonprofits must generate revenue annually to cover expenses, further their mission and pay staff.
On May 10, certified mentors from SCORE Bucks County will lead a new workshop, “Run Your Nonprofit Like a Business.” The goal, according to SCORE mentor Joseph Lutes, is to enhance the success of a nonprofit with review and discussion of the following topics: governance, financial reporting, fundraising, staffing and planning.
Lutes, who has spent more than 30 years in the investment industry working mostly as a chief financial officer of a $35 billion organization, served as the finance director for three separate nonprofits and has served on numerous nonprofit boards.
“Many times, when one talks to people at a nonprofit, they say that they are different than profit-driven organizations in that they are not in the business to make money,” Lutes said. “While that is technically true, if they don’t make money year after year, they will fail just like a profit-oriented business will.”
SCORE mentor Peter Niche will lead the discussion related to fundraising and how new and prospective nonprofits can generate an ongoing donation system. Niche has spent more than 30 years serving as a board member for various charities.
“Fundraising is the lifeblood of all nonprofits,” Niche said. “You can have the best programming and services, but without donations, you can’t deliver.”
SCORE mentor Marissa Bloedoorn will share her 20 years of training and organizational development expertise in leading the portion of the workshop focused on staffing and planning.
“Nonprofit organizations that create and implement a volunteer management process are most effective in saving time, increasing volunteer engagement and improving retention rates,” Bloedoorn said. “A volunteer management process can be used to establish guidelines and create a blueprint for your nonprofit that can be implemented throughout the organization.”
If you go: SCORE Bucks County’s “Run Your Nonprofit Like a Business” workshop will take place on May 10 from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at the Boy Scout Office, 1 Scout Way, Doylestown. Cost is $15 and includes breakfast. To learn more, visit buckscounty.score.org or register at events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eg8zvvkw952e2549&oseq=&c=&ch=
