Non-profits are organizations that use their excess revenues to further their mission or purpose, rather than distributing them as profits. When creating a non-profit, it is essential to have a clear mission statement that outlines the organization's purpose and goals. In Philadelphia, there are many non-profits that face various challenges, such as unstable revenues, lack of specialized knowledge, and personnel disputes. This article will discuss some of the common challenges faced by non-profits in Philadelphia and how they can be addressed.
Unstable RevenuesNon-profits often have to work with limited resources due to unstable revenues throughout the year. This means that they must focus on covering administrative expenses before they can allocate funds for projects. For example, the Philadelphia Unemployment Project is a non-profit that has been able to achieve its goals through citizen participation. However, it still faces the challenge of unstable revenues.
Lack of Specialized Knowledge
Another challenge faced by non-profits is the lack of specialized knowledge required for detailed business and financial analysis functions.This can be a problem for organizations that rely on generalists instead of specialists. For instance, Friends of the Free Library is an independent non-profit organization that supports library groups in Philadelphia. However, it may lack the specialized knowledge needed for detailed business and financial analysis.
Personnel Disputes
Personnel disputes can also be a challenge for non-profits in Philadelphia. For example, in an email addressed to city administrators, the sponsoring organization of Put It Down regretted that its leaders had involved the project in personnel disputes and poor management decisions.This shows how personnel disputes can be a challenge for non-profits.
How to Overcome These Challenges
There are several ways to address the challenges faced by non-profits in Philadelphia. One way is to focus on building relationships with other organizations and individuals who can provide resources and support. For example, Cathedral Kitchen began when a group of four idealistic young people heard an inspirational talk from Mother Teresa at the 41st International Eucharistic Congress in Philadelphia and decided to feed the hungry in Camden. This shows how building relationships with other organizations can help address some of the challenges faced by non-profits.Another way to address these challenges is to focus on providing services that meet the needs of those who are most vulnerable. For instance, the Veterans Multiple Services Center is the only non-profit organization in the Philadelphia region that offers comprehensive services to help veterans return to normal life. This shows how providing services tailored to those who are most vulnerable can help address some of the challenges faced by non-profits. Finally, it is important for non-profits to focus on raising awareness about their cause and engaging with their local community.
For example, United Way of the Philadelphia metropolitan area and South New Jersey has been restructured to focus on alleviating poverty in Philadelphia. This shows how raising awareness about their cause and engaging with their local community can help address some of the challenges faced by non-profits. In conclusion, there are many common challenges faced by non-profits in Philadelphia such as unstable revenues, lack of specialized knowledge, and personnel disputes. However, these challenges can be overcome by focusing on building relationships with other organizations and individuals who can provide resources and support, providing services tailored to those who are most vulnerable, and raising awareness about their cause and engaging with their local community.
