The Maine Nonprofit Viability Program, launched by the Nonprofit Sector Viability Collaboration (NSVC) in 2009, assists organizations in navigating the current economic climate. The program consists of three components—formal self-assessment, a one-and-a-half-day viability session, and consulting assistance.
The goal of the Viability Program is to provide the senior leaders of up to 10 nonprofit organizations at a time with a structured and supportive environment in which to think deeply about ongoing viability of their mission, programs, and finances. Through the process, organizations gain clarity about goals going forward; a concrete plan for coping with immediate organizational and financial challenges; and a longer-term strategy for how to adapt their missions in the face of change.
Viability Program Clinics
The NSVC held three pilot clinics in 2009:
- Cumberland County, May 18-19. Convened in Portland by the United Way of Greater Portland (UWGP). This clinic gathered ten UWGP grantees together focused on youth, education and human services.
- Downeast, September 29-30. Convened in Machias by the United Way of Eastern Maine. This clinic supported seven social service and health-related organizations from across Washington County.
- Health Care, November 12-13. Convened by the Maine Health Access Foundation. This clinic supported seven residential care facilities and home healthcare providers.
The NSVC has scheduled four clinics for 2010:
- York/Cumberland County, March 24-25. Convened by United Way of York County. This clinic will utilize an open enrollment model bringing together nonprofits from various sectors.
- Arts and Culture, May 18-19. This session will bring together a cohort of arts and culture organizations from across Maine.
- Western Maine, June 24-25. This session will serve community and economic development organizations operating in Western Maine.
- Department of Health and Human Services, October. This session will target organizations within Maine’s health and human service sector that have been impacted by budget cuts.
2009 Results
The 24 nonprofit organizations that participated in the 2009 pilot programs came with varying degrees of concern and understanding about the long-term viability of their own mission. The Viability Program facilitated deep discussion around program and financial priorities; each organization left the clinic with detailed action steps on how to improve the sustainability of their mission. Nineteen of the 24 requested post-clinic consulting services.
Key Themes
- The delivery model works: The combination of presentation and small group working session central to the program model has been successful.
- Once they are in, they are hooked: Although organization staff may arrive skeptical, they recognize the value once they attend.
- Consulting tightly tied to the working session: The requests that have been received for post-session consulting have been closely tied to the action steps.
Consulting Assistance Requests: Issues Addressed, Actions Taken
- Board and executive director roles and responsibilities and consultation on mergers
- Merger strategy
- Guidance on implementing action steps
- Plan and facilitate a board retreat
- Guidance to determine new business models
- Guidance on leading change in the organization
- Fundraising (capital plan)
- Design and facilitation of focus groups to help in action planning
- Strategic planning
- Plan and facilitate a board retreat and facilitation of a community forum
- Guidance with executive director and board president to plan for a retreat
- Develop a dashboard and identify potential partners
- Financial analysis and strategic planning
Funding Update
To date, 19 funders have contributed more than $160,000 to support the design and implementation of the Viability Program. The Nonprofit Sector Viability Collaboration is grateful for the generous support and confidence early funders have provided to its efforts. This support provides 90% of the $30,000 required to offer one Viability Program to 10 organizations. At approximately $3,000 per nonprofit, the value of services being delivered is without question more affordable than if an organization hired outside expertise on its own.
The Nonprofit Sector Viability Program is sponsored by Common Good Ventures, the Institute for Civic Leadership, Maine Association of Nonprofits, Maine Community Foundation, Maine Health Access Foundation, Maine Network Partners, United Way of Eastern Maine, United Way of Greater Portland, and United Way of York County.
Other supporters include American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, Bank of America, Sam L. Cohen Foundation, Davis Family Foundation, Frances Hollis Brain Foundation, Maine Arts Commission, and Maine Community Foundation’s Expansion Arts, Rines-Thompson, Cumberland County, and King & Jean Cummings Trust funds.
Download the full report here.
February 22, 2010