 Social Enterprise Ventures Newsletter September 2010
from Jean Block Consulting, Inc. |
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Building Nonprofit Capacity through Training in Social Enterprise and Best Practices |
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About SEV LLC
We are a Team of Professional Nonprofit Consultants and Trainers
Jean Block
Albuquerque NM
Amy Buehler & Laura Drake
St. Louis MO
Cindy Kane
Dallas TX
Len Doran
Virginia/East Coast
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Schedule a Free Informational Webinar |
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Greetings!
A recent survey by GuideStar uncovered some frightening statistics about today's nonprofit sector...are your vital programs, services and staff at risk? Read the first article below to see what the survey found.
In today's funding environment, it is important that all nonprofits diversify their income to protect vital programs and services. Social enterprise (earned income) does just that. It is unrestricted renewable income that supports your mission. Our team of Senior Consultants can help you learn the skills you need to launch a successful social enterprise venture.
Happy Ventures!
Jean Block
Social Enterprise Ventures LLC
Jean Block Consulting Inc. |
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Why You Should Get Serious About Social Enterprise
Can you survive the slowdown in contributions without sacrificing critical programs and services...and staff? A recent email from GuideStar says:
"Public charities and private foundations continued to take a beating during the first five months of 2010. Some 40 percent of participants in GuideStar's first nonprofit economic survey for 2010 reported that contributions to their organizations dropped between January 1 and May 31, 2010, compared to the same period a year earlier. Another 28 percent said that contributions had stayed about the same, and 30 percent stated contributions had increased.
"The Effect of the Economy on the Nonprofit Sector: A June 2010 Survey" presents these results and more. Among the other findings:
· 8% of respondents indicated that their organization was were in imminent danger of closing.
· In order to balance budgets, 17% of respondents reduced program services, and 11% laid off employees.
· More than 60% of participants reporting decreased contributions attributed the drop to a decline in both the number of individual donors and the size of their donations.
· Among organizations that use volunteers, 17% used one or more in what had formerly been paid positions.
· About a third (32%) of organizations increased their reliance on volunteers, whereas 9% experienced a decline.
Chuck McLean, GuideStar's vice president for research, and research assistant Carol Brouwer conducted the survey, analyzed the results, and prepared the survey report. Learn more at www.GuideStar.org. |
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What You Can Do!
In spite of the frightening statistics above, you don't have to just sit there and wonder if your organization is next. You CAN control your situation by investing in training in social enterprise.
Social enterprise training will result in a business plan for an earned income venture...unrestricted renewable income...that builds your capacity and reduces your reliance on traditional funding in an environment where that funding could be at risk.
What's Involved? Build a team of Board and Staff to learn the 7 key elements required to launch a successful earned income venture. We've trained numerous nonprofits using these modules:
- Organizational Focus: driving forces, goals, stakeholder communication plans.
- Asset Inventory, objective evaluation criteria and brainstorming opportunities.
- Market Research and Feasibility: target markets, market size, market trends, buyer and end user motivation and more.
- Market Research: competition, competitive advantage.
- Costing Analysis: break even and profit margin.
- Sales Planning
- Business Planning
Learn more about Expedition training at Social Enterprise Ventures or contact any of the affiliates listed in the panel to the left. We are ready to get you started on social enterprise! |
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Where We've Been and Where We're Going
We are excited to announce that Tri-Cap Community Action in Jasper IN has completed their training. 4 teams of Board and Staff are completing the business plans for four earned income ventures!
Next up: Audubon Area Community Services in Owensboro, KY is launching training this fall. Several community action agencies in North Carolina are selecting dates to begin their training, as well.
Don't be left out! We can schedule a training for you beginning this fall!
Here's Where Else We'll Be:
October 6 - Nashville. Preconference workshop for Southeast Association for Community Action
October 13-14 - St. Louis. Conference workshop for Missouri Association for Community Action. November 3 - St. Pete's Beach, Florida. Conference workshop for CharityChannel.
November 16 - Audio conference for Association of Fundraising Professionals.
December 2 - Webinar for Minnesota Council on Nonprofits.
Monthly Webinars. And we continue to schedule monthly free informational webinars. Contact Jean Block to schedule a webinar for your organization. Next scheduled webinar is September 22, 10 AM CST. Space is limited to the first 25 who respond. Contact me now to reserve your space. |
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About SEV | | Social Enterprise Ventures LLC was formed in 2006 to provide training and consulting in social enterprise and best practices in nonprofit management. Learn more at Social Enterprise Ventures.
Our Expedition training is delivered in 7 modules over several months with guided homework and consulting between classroom sessions. Agencies build a team of Staff and Board who participate in the training which results in a business plan for earned income based on agency assets (what you know, what you do now). It's like getting an MBA in nonprofit management! |
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Visit Jean Block Consulting for training and consulting in nonprofit management, governance, Board development and fundraising. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you!
Sincerely,
Jean Block
Social Enterprise Ventures LLC
Jean Block Consulting Inc. |
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Special Offer
Exploration -Management by Assessment
Benchmark your organization in 7 key nonprofit management areas including Board of Directors, Fundraising, Fiscal Management, Human Resources, Messages & Marketing, Programs & Services and more. Download individual assessment modules for $49.95 each, or order the full program and get one module free.
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