How to Handle Nonprofit Mission Drift

Hello, this is Dr. Rick Hoefer, bringing you One Solution Practice Points: Turning Research into Practice. This is a series of short videos bringing you one solution to one management problem. Today’s episode is “how to handle nonprofit agency mission drift”. Here’s the problem: Mission Drift. In short, how do you keep from chasing after grants for new programs while keeping the integrity of your original mission? When agencies pursue funding agencies outside of their original mission, their funding priorities can become distorted or shifted so that the intended clients of the agency are no longer adequately served. As a result of this, donors, staff and other organization stakeholders may reject activities outside of the agency’s original scope and leave. Once mission drift starts, someone will be sure to say “Houston, we have a problem.” Here’s one solution! Think about mission shift, not mission drift. What do we mean by that? Well, research shows that mission shift can be successfully accommodated by organizations who plan for the incorporation of new funding streams using a strategic, proactive, and visionary approach. So, in terms of practice, what does this mean? It means that organizations should form strategic partnerships with other agencies to apply for broader funding streams while focusing on what they do best. This coalition of grant seekers can work together, each focusing on what they are best at, while coming together in a collaboration that is beyond the capabilities of any one organization. In addition, organizations need to be willing to refresh and reinvigorate agency activities by expanding their competencies and adding new services and new programs that are complementary to their goals. Some more practice points are that you need to become proactive in developing fresh initiatives, and take the time to thoughtfully redevelop the organization’s role as needed. The truth is, times change, and your organization’s mission may need to change, too. Can we help? Is your nonprofit dealing with chasing after funds and fearing you’re losing the reason for your existence? CAN-DO, The Center for Advocacy, Non-Profit, and Donor Organizations, may be able to assist your organization with successfully shifting your mission. If this is of interest to you, please contact me, Dr. Rick Hoefer, at rhoefer@uta.edu. Now it’s your turn. What about your experiences? Please add your comments in the space below the video. What do YOU find most effective when planning to incorporate new funding streams and activities into your organization? Have you had to deal with mission drift or mission shift in your job? If you enjoyed this video, it would help others if you click on the “like” button below. It would further help a great deal to post a simple video response. Now here’s the quote: “It appears that mission drift can have positive consequences for a charity. By undertaking contract work well beyond the scope of its existing mission, an organization can develop its competence, extend its capabilities, and become adept at building activities into a “total package” to offer to government mission drift: How charities can turn dependence on government contract funding to their own advantage. Nonprofit Management & Leadership, 22(2), 217-231. This has been Dr. Rick Hoefer, bringing you another episode of One Solution Practice Points: Turning Research into Practice.