The Patterson Foundation Partners with No Margin, No Mission™ in Effort to Enhance Long-Term Impact of Nonprofits
Entrepreneurial nonprofits from Florida’s Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto Counties have been given the unique opportunity to learn and implement earned income best practices through Margin & Mission Ignition, a new initiative of The Patterson Foundation developed in partnership with No Margin, No Mission™.
The effort, designed to help nonprofits explore “thrivability” to boost their entrepreneurial capacity, revenue, and mission impact, was introduced earlier this year during the first of three interactive “labs,” or workshop sessions, for nonprofit leaders, board members, and staffers.
Several hundred leaders from nonprofits with a profile in The Giving Partner were invited to attend the kickoff event, which featured informative lessons, dynamic exercises, and a showcase of examples outlining the benefits of earned-income solutions for nonprofits. Following the kickoff, organizations that demonstrated a significant commitment and desire to learn more were invited to participate in two additional labs to explore these solutions in greater depth.
Upon successful completion of the labs, interested and qualified nonprofits willing to move through an interview and application process were given the opportunity to receive one-on-one coaching and technical assistance over 18 months to develop and implement earned income business plans. The organizations selected to continue on to this phase of the initiative were required to (1) demonstrate their preparedness for earned income through alignment in the areas of leadership, willingness, readiness, capacity, and culture; and (2) agree to devote the substantial time, energy, and commitment needed to plan for and implement a successful revenue-generating venture.
6 nonprofit were picked to participate in the full Margin & Mission Ignition journey, including Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Sarasota County Parks, Friendship Centers, Legal Aid of Manasota, Lighthouse of Manasota, and Pines of Sarasota.
“The Patterson Foundation believes in creating the time and space for these organizations to seek and embed possibilities to create a more thrivable future, ” said Debra Jacobs, President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. Recognizing that change takes time, the initiative encompasses a number of valuable entrepreneurial team activities, learning opportunities, and collaborative sessions that are in addition to the consultation and technical assistance provided to each nonprofit.
Included among these offerings are (1) a Social Enterprise Forum featuring a group of No Margin, No Mission’s client alumni to share their earned income experiences and outcomes; (2) several collaborative Knowledge-Sharing Sessions designed to bring all the participating organizations together to exchange key learning, insights, and observations acquired through their earned income work; (3) numerous Virtual Learning Sessions delivered via webinars to provide informal education and discussion on entrepreneurial topics; and (4) a “Shark-Tank” Style FAST PITCH event where nonprofits pitch their business plans to local investors, funders, and business leaders.
For more information about The Patterson Foundation’s Margin & Mission Ignition initiative, please visit thepattersonfoundation.org, nomarginnomission.org, or join the conversation using #TPFMarginMission on social media.
