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Tera Wozniak Qualls is using Brazen Careerist to share ideas. Join now to become a member and start networking with Tera Wozniak Qualls and other professionals just like you. Learn more.
I've worked in both higher education (private and public) and for a national health organization – all non-profits. I think many nonprofits have a lot to learn about the best way to go about raising money. Many traditional/established nonprofits raise money very inefficiently - through events, walk-a-thons - etc, which require half of their staff and yearly operating budget. I think a leaner more efficient approach - at least to fundraising, would help make nonprofits more successful.
I definitely think the nonprofit sector could use some innovative organizations to keep them on their toes. I helped start a nonprofit called Gumball Capital - which engages students with entrepreneurship for social good through microfinance.
As an organization of college students, doing more research would have helped a great deal in the early stages. We stumbled as we trying to figure our our mission and vision, our strategy and our board of advisers. But at the same time, I think we are doing something that is very different, and will prove to be effective.
However, there are times when knowing less is better - a quote I often read about successful entrepreneurs is that if they had known how hard it would have been to make it, they wouldn't have started. Sometimes you need to stay a little foolish.
This sounds a lot like how a consultant works - often trying to (re)move funding from those who are traditionally winning the work.
There is always room for competition as long as you're innovative in using your found money, and good at convincing those who have the money that you're more worth it. I think that the hardest part would be winning that first defining contract, after that it's up to your own quality control.
