Framework for Non-Profit Practices
Throughout this section, we describe components that are important to a sustainable non-profit. A framework is only valuable to those who follow it. The success of the organization will depend not on the existence of key policies or plans sitting on the shelf, but on their usage, relevance, quality, and on the behavior of the individuals guided by these plans.
Readers should be aware that no one agency is likely to have all of these management practices and each organization will have its own requirements. The intent is to describe effective practices by subject area, to assist in communication among all parties working to sustain an organization. The application of effective practices will vary by organization, by size, and by life-stage. A ‘young’ organization a few years from start-up might be expected to have very few of these practices. As organizations grow and evolve, the practices outlined here will help sustain the organization, make it more robust to the loss of key personnel, and assure funders that sound practices will turn resources into outcomes.