Stop whining. There’s important work to be done!

July 11th, 2011 by Michele Goodrich

Stop whining. There’s important work to be done!

Another news report came out today indicating that the unemployment rate rose again last month. Small businesses continue to close in my local community and across the United States.

While some people are beginning to see hopeful signs that the economy is improving, others are still desperately seeking employment and their debts continue to mount. One thing is for certain – If the economy is in recovery, it is a sluggish one.

If you have been keeping up with recent journal articles, newsletters or blogs circulated in the field of philanthropy, you know there isn’t much good news there either. According to Patrick Rooney, executive director of the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University, charitable giving grew to $290.89 billion in 2010, up 2.1% in inflation-adjusted dollars. However, if contributions continue to grow at that rate, it will take five to six years to return to the same level of giving as 2008.

I would venture to say that the topic of declining charitable contributions is being discussed at nonprofit board and staff meetings on a regular basis these days. However, I contend that the attitude and approach brought to this topic by not-for-profit leaders will define whether their organizations fail miserably or soar to new heights.

In a recent blog post, Todd Cohen, Editor and Publisher of the Philanthropy Journal, expressed no patience with not-for-profit leaders who are wringing their hands and bemoaning their helpless situations. In fact, he tells them to “get over it.” He challenges not-for-profit leaders to “get their act together” and to:

Talk candidly with donors and foundations about their organization’s needs.

Challenge and support board members and staff to do a better job.

Be more resourceful in strengthening their organizations.

Advocate for public policies that support non-for-profit organizations and encourage contributions.

In order to successfully weather these difficult economic times, not-for-profit leaders need to demonstrate a positive and encouraging attitude, stick to the best practices of philanthropy and raise awareness of their cause. They need to let their organization’s mission provide motivation, their strategic goals inspire decisions, and an attitude of abundance and gratitude drive behavior.

Be bold. Be candid. Be resourceful. Engage those who can help. And…above all… STOP WHINING. There’s important work to be done.

You can follow Todd Cohen’s blogs at http://philanthropyjournal.blogspot.com/.