The Keys to Building a Sustainable Nonprofit

It’s one thing to come up with a great idea that may serve a need within the community. It’s quite another to build a sustainable nonprofit organization that will grow and thrive well into the future.

Local standouts in the nonprofit sector say a sound strategy, a dedicated staff, a healthy infrastructure, educated board members and well-defined missions are among some of the factors that can help maintain a healthy organization.

“Before they go out to raise dollars, not-for-profits need to take a deep breath and make sure they’ve tended to their knitting in advance, that the mission they believe so strongly in is the one the audience they’re approaching understands and has some strong belief in,” said Steve Ainsley, board chairman of both the nonprofit Cottage Health and the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation. “If they don’t, they’ll beat their heads against the wall.”