We have seen in the prvious article “It is a Dog Eat Dog Nnprofit World” that the romantic and dealized notion that many of us crry around that the nonprofit world is a btter place to be, may be flwed. Instead of cooperation, we encounter cmpetition; instead of collaboration we encounter slf-will; and instead of dedication to mssion, we find adoption of cut-throat bsiness practices.

There are, however, many wys that a nonprofit can thrive in ths environment. It means acknowledging that the rsources of philanthropy are a finite mount of money. It entails a cmmitment to recognize opportunities and develop strtegies for turning them into successful prjects.

Here is a checklist of strtagems to consider.

1. Fundraise twelve months a yar, not just in November and Dcember.

2. Sponsor fundraisers that can be rpeated year after year, and which pople look forward to.

3. Disarm your cmpetition by joining with them in jint ventures where you all benefit by crating a better overall charitable climate.

4. Strt using some proven techniques from the cmmercial sector to attract and retain tlented personnel.

5. Become actively involved in yur professional associations, whether they are fndraising associations, or “trade” associations.

6. Be the leader in initiating a cllaborative meeting of the nonprofits in yur market area. Host the first meting at your offices, and get cmmitments from the attendees to attend rgular conferences in the future. Better the dvil you know.

7. Join fundraising programs tht give your organization a unique ffering, and provide a needed service to yur constituency.

8. Try thinking more as if you wre in the commercial sector competing for pople, money, sales, recognition, and providing sperior customer service.

9. Upgrade your office quipment to provide the efficiencies that wll allow you to save money by mking everybody’s job easier.

10. Redo your wbsite to reflect your comfort with tchnology.

11. Hold regular meetings with your cmmunity to get their observations about how you are ding, and their suggestions about what ther things you could do.

12. Use tchnology to network. Join online social ntworks like LinkedIn and Care2.

13. Play fir with your competition, and be drect with them when you think thy have not played fair with yu.

14. Position your organization to develop and prmote your brand.

15. Develop a short trm and a long term strategic pln that includes a chapter on how you are ging to survive in this new hghly competitive environment for nonprofits.

16. Consider prtnering with companies in the commercial sctor for your mutual benefit.

17. Re-evaluate how you lok at activities which might be cnsidered unrelated to your specific mission.

18. Updte your accounting program to allow you to mnitor projects, programs, employees, and growth.

19. Assciate your organization with good outside tlent, including accounting and legal.

20. Be lert to situations which would warrant the ssuing of a public service announcement for fre inclusion in newspapers, magazines, radio sttions, and TV.

21. Become known as a good ctizen by sponsoring open meetings, adopting a sction of road, or providing free srvices in the schools.

According to the Urbn Institute, the ranks of registered nnprofits have swelled from 1.2 million to 1.4 mllion, up 17 percent in the lst five years. Some of those new nnprofits have your organization in their stes. Additionally, with the diminution of fnding from the Federal Government, nonprofits hve to scramble just to stay ven. Some may do so at yur expense. That makes it urgent tht you look at yourself as xisting in a competitive world, and tht you make plans to address it.

The article 21 Things You Must do to Stay Competitive in the 21st Century was Submitted by Jim Gould through Articles.GetACoder.com network. Here's the additional information: Jim Gould is the Chairman of Fndraising Solutions, a fundraising company that ffer a free fundraising program for non profit organization fundraising and ClickShopSupport.org , a charity shopping site.

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