What are the biggest challenges for NFPs in 2021? A Beacon Strategies Q&A
For several years now, the team here at Beacon Strategies have partnered with not-for-profit organisations (NFPs) and supported them to plan, design, implement and evaluate their programs and services. We recognise the incredible impact these organisations make in communities right across Australia and across various social issues.
We’ve also come to understand many of the challenges and obstacles that come from working in the non-profit sector, and the sometimes competing priorities of financial viability, organisational growth and staying aligned to an organisation’s mission and purpose.
In a recent article by Pro Bono News written by the head of the Australian Charities and Non-profits Commission (ACNC), the challenges that ‘charities’ or NFPs faced in 2020 were discussed with predictions made for more challenges to come in 2021 for the sector.
Inspired by the article and always being curious about how organisations set themselves up for success, the team here at Beacon Strategies asked ourselves a couple of big questions about what we think the challenges and opportunities that NFPs can expect to face in 2021 will be.
What do you think will be the biggest challenge for the not-for-profit sector in 2021?
Elliot: Being able to stay focused and committed on those key strategies or organisational changes that are a priority for the organisation but are at risk of not being executed because of all the disruption and fatigue from 2020.
Nicole: For organisations to maintain or develop new collaboration opportunities with other organisations in order to pool resources, capabilities and skills, and achieve collectively greater outcomes.
Mitch: Working through the tension that now exists between old processes and ways of working and what the potential future of work could look like. Traditionalists will want to snap back to the old ways of working and progressives will want to push on and create something new.
How will some of these challenges change or influence the role that Beacon Strategies has in supporting NFPs?
Elliot: I think we’ll be advising organisations to take a ‘less is more’ approach — just focusing on the 1 or 2 big ‘projects’ for the year and making them stick. I also think how we work will be even more ‘human’ this year. Recognising when others are feeling tired or flat, being able to motivate and nudge people at the right times, and finding the balance between going slow and moving forward.
Nicole: Encouraging organisations to prioritise their sector relationships. Few organisations have the capacity to ‘do it all’ but there’s bucket loads of untapped potential in idea sharing and collaborative teaming. I feel it is more important now than ever to keep developing relationships despite the temptation to stay in your shell.
Sarah: I think the most important thing is really just flexibility and being able to change our approach depending on the client, so work might be less structured and more adaptable depending on who we are working with.
What is the one strategy NFPs should consider to set themselves up for success this year?
Nicole: Embrace technology and utilise it for teaming with other organisations! Jump on video calls, say hello and share your ideas - who knows, your new pals might have solutions to the problems you’re struggling to solve!
Sarah: It’s all about flexibility and adaptability. If nothing else, 2020 showed us all how unpredictable things can be sometimes, so “expect the unexpected”.
Mitch: Appreciate that we are still in a pretty weird and wonderful time. Shortening the horizon of any plan or project you are currently implementing and commit to doing less (but making it count). This should allow your organisation to be able to steer a little better, without having to watch a long term strategy or plan play out.
While 2020 was a challenging year for the NFP sector, we saw so many great examples of strong leadership, innovation and the ability to change direction without disrupting outcomes.
We are confident that the leaders of NFPs will continue to steer their organisations through some of these sticky challenges (thanks COVID!) and have a positive impact for the people and communities they serve.
Do you have questions or comments about this blog? Head over to our socials and let us know or, email us at info@beaconstrategies.net.