The Power of an Entrepreneurial Mindset in the Nonprofit Sector

One of the most valuable things I’ve learned during my time as president and CEO of a nonprofit is the power of adopting an entrepreneurial mindset.

At Big Shoulders Fund, the needs of the individuals we serve are constantly evolving, which requires us to get creative and move quickly. When we’re solving challenges and addressing issues that have a critical impact on people’s everyday lives and long-term vitality, it’s not enough to simply come up with ideas. The real impact happens in the execution. This is where engaging entrepreneurial talent becomes one of your greatest assets.

Entrepreneurs have a unique way of approaching problems. People who have adopted an entrepreneurial mindset see challenges as opportunities and are driven by a desire to get things done. They take initiative, are decisive, find creative solutions, adapt to change and, most importantly, are not comfortable with the status quo.

Often, a deep commitment and personal connection to the mission of an organization is what drives this entrepreneurial spirit. Vision, not perfection, is what leads to outcomes. At Big Shoulders Fund, we are deeply inspired by the work the schools in our network do and are committed to sustaining their success in any way we can.

So how do you make the critical leap from entrepreneurial to operational?

1. Listen. Talk to your staff, your supporters and, most importantly, those you serve. Either through direct conversation or anonymous surveys. Being receptive and digging into constructive feedback is the first step in creating a roadmap to better fulfill your mission.
2. Communicate transparently and openly. The only way to get to valuable, innovative ideas is to engage authentically and often. Treat everyone as a thought partner and keep the lines of communication open and consistent.
3. Most importantly, take action. While it’s crucial to think through the pros and cons of an idea, don’t let challenges or obstacles become excuses. Some of the best, most effective solutions are born out of simple trial and error.

As it did for many other organizations, the pandemic forced Big Shoulders Fund to be nimble and creative about how we meet the needs of those we serve amid a rapidly changing and unpredictable environment. While our mission is grounded in setting children up for lifelong success through access to a high-quality education in safe, supportive environments, the pandemic intensified factors outside of the classroom that can endanger the success of students.

Many of the families that attend our schools were faced with food insecurity as a result of job loss brought on by the pandemic. While meal distributions and other social services were not part of our usual repertoire, we leveraged the creative thinking and resources of our schools, staff and supporters to create immediate solutions. Over the course of nearly two years, we hosted thousands of meal distributions at various sites providing over a million meals to families — both connected to our schools and otherwise — in need.

This same entrepreneurial spirit also helped us evolve some of our existing programming to adapt to the current environment. Programs were moved to virtual formats to create greater accessibility, more professional development and technological resources were made available and we continued to invest significant resources in a new initiative that gave us greater control over the day-to-day operations of the schools we served. 

The changes that came out of the pandemic were born out of years of listening, and then responding with action. Ultimately, these outcomes are a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit we’re constantly seeking to fuel, taken to the next level by a talented team and group of supporters that don’t take no for an answer. For any nonprofit, cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset can help create an environment that fosters better creativity and the pursuit of goals and passions without indecision, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

The preceding blog was provided by an individual unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within do not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of NonProfit PRO.