December 2, 2012 | Read Time: 1 minute
Thinking big is the way Share Our Strength transformed its operation and managed to more than triple its donations in the past five years.
But that doesn’t mean its lessons apply only to charities that are big.
Sara Best, director of Board Catalyst Institute, a Toledo consulting company, says Share Our Strength’s idea of setting out an ambitious goal—in its case, ending childhood hunger by 2015—can also be helpful to small groups.
“Any organization can benefit from the soul-searching that follows questions like, What is the best way to extend our reach? How do we make a bigger mark?” Ms. Best says. “So many organizations are just limping forward when they should be thinking about the investments they need to make to have the impact they want to have.”
Cash-strapped charities should seek to get board members more engaged in setting audacious but achievable goals or by looking for partnerships with businesses, government, or other nonprofits.
“In this day and age, if you’re not going to jump out and be excellent and bold, then don’t take up a spot on the corner, don’t put your hand out,” Ms. Best says.
