The non-profit sector employs about 10% of the U.S. workforce and accounts for about 5% of our GDP (or at least it did until the recession hit hard). Taken as a single economy, it would be roughly the world's 7th largest. To be blunt, as goes the non-profit sector, so goes the economy as a whole.



I am heartened that organizations like Wingspan are looking to be innovative with their fundraising appeals in order to survive (full disclosure: I was in charge of their fundraising over the summer as an interim consultant, but no longer have any formal relationship with the organization). I also appreciate that Tohono Chul has had to make some very difficult staffing decisions to meet budget.



Unfortunately, non-profit organizations tend to be no strangers to functioning in crisis mode because funding is often tenuous. I try to coach non-profit leadership to try and see beyond the short term crises and think about long-term sustainability of programs and services. There may be a budget deficit today, but how will cutting a program or professional development or operating hours impact your ability to fulfill your mission in the long term? What is your competitive advantage and how can you maximize your position in the market?



Please give as generously as you can to the non-profit(s) of your choice before Thursday. They need our support now more than ever.
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