For-profit ventures help nonprofits shore up the funding they need to maintain and expand their programs

By Abny Santicola

“Nonprofits don’t traditionally do that,” she adds. “You know, to stop, step back and do real, honest-to-goodness market research about who out there might think that this is a good idea and who might not. And is the market large enough? And is it the right time? And will it grow?”

For many organizations, starting an earned-income venture is about recognizing that they deliver a lot of value to the community and that just because they’re nonprofit, it doesn’t mean they have to do everything for free. The planning process helps organizations take a closer look at how they’re running their charitable sides, as well.