How to Ensure You’re Working for an Effective Non-profit and Making a Difference  

If you work in the nonprofit sector, or are looking to, you are likely passionate about a cause and want to make an impact. But how do you ensure that you are putting your energy into an organization that is truly making a difference?

After nearly a decade in the nonprofit sector, I have come to realize that too many organizations have great missions and people, yet remain ineffective due to the lack of defined goals and a clear and coherent strategy that drives the work of the organization.

The absence of clear goals and strategy can lead an organization to lose focus, develop sharp internal divisions and infighting, and ultimately stray from its stated purpose. While this fate can befall any type of organization, it can be particularly disheartening for those working in the nonprofit sector who have chosen to dedicate themselves to a greater good.

According to Richard P. Rumelt, a UCLA professor who wrote the one of the defining texts on the subject in Good Strategy, Bad Strategy, there are three core elements you should be looking for in a good strategy:

1.  A diagnosis of the problem at hand
2. A guiding policy that informs all of the actions of the organization to address the problem
3. A coherent plan for action

Whether you are interviewing for a new job or trying to better understand how your current organization is achieving its mission, here are some tips that can help you understand if defined goals and strategy are driving action.

Get Insight During Your Interview

If you’re seeking a new nonprofit job, it can be difficult to identify effective organizations just by reading their websites. Some organizations do have strategic plans posted to their sites, and that’s a great sign, but it doesn’t mean they are sticking to the plan.

So, here are three key questions you should ask during your interview to help separate the good from the not so good:

1. What is the Mission of the Organization? It seems like a silly question at first – i.e. one that you should be able to answer by reading their website. But I strongly urge you to put this question to everyone who interviews you for your new job. If any person who interviews you cannot articulate why the organization exists in one to three clear sentences, run!

Similarly, if everyone you speak with answers this question differently, there is no clarity of mission; in other words, if all involved aren’t  on the same page about why they come to work everyday, that is a big sign that the organization is not driven by a clearly defined goal.

2. What is the Organization’s Strategy for Achieving its Mission? The best way to find out if there is a clear strategy is to ask. This is another question that you should ask everyone who interviews you — and all of the answers need to reflect the same message. If the answers don’t include the three elements noted above, their strategy may be severely lacking. Push for more clarity on the missing element(s); if they come up short, it might be a sign that you should pass on a job offer. You can find an example of a good nonprofit strategic plan here.

3. How does the Position for Which I am Interviewing Fit into the Organization’s Strategy? You are there to make a difference, so you need to know how your job will fit into the overall vision. At a minimum, your direct supervisor should be able to articulate how your position fits into the general, long-term  picture,  and how your work will be measured against the goals of the organization.

Getting Clarity about Your Current Organization

What if you are already working at a nonprofit – and aren’t sure if it is truly effective? The first step is to find out if a formal strategic plan exists. As noted above, some nonprofits have their strategic plans posted on their website, such as here and here. If one is not present on the website, ask your supervisor or human resources director if there is a written strategic plan that you can see.  Then use one of two approaches below:

If a Written Plan Exists
If a written strategic plan exists, read it through carefully, and try to connect the work of the organization back to the plan. Look for Rumelt’s three elements mentioned above, and take note of places where the work seems to diverge from the strategy. Keep in mind that just because some of the work doesn’t seem to fit with the plan doesn’t mean the organization is ineffective. Circumstances change, and organizations often need to be flexible. But if it seems like there are projects all over the organization that don’t clearly link back to the strategy, that should raise red flags.

Once you’ve read through the plan and identified your questions, set up a time to speak with your manager about the strategy. (It might be best to wait to bring this up during a scheduled review, depending on your relationship with your supervisor and the culture of your organization.) Use the opportunity to get answers to any questions you have about the strategy, including those about work that doesn’t seem to fit the plan. You should also find out how your position connects to its success. Make sure your manager can speak clearly and authoritatively about the plan and the organization’s work.

If No Written Plan Exists
If no written strategic plan exists, ask if there are plans to create one. If this doesn’t seems to be an issue that is on the minds of leadership, that’s a bad sign. However, if you feel good about your organization and believe strongly that it is effective, even without a written plan, it is likely worth your time to stick around.

But, if you feel unclear about how the organization is achieving its mission, and see a lot of programs or initiatives that don’t seem to be advancing the cause, it may be time to move on.

The nonprofit sector is a critical part of our civil society and offers exciting opportunities to build a meaningful career where you can really make a difference. But your level of impact depends on the effectiveness of your organization. You may not be able to change an organization, but using the tips above, you can make sure you are putting your hard work into one that has strong leadership and a clear plan to achieve its goals.