Nonprofit Management Personal Statement

Most nonprofit agencies follow the same management structure. The structure normally consists of a vertical hierarchal structure with the chief executive manager at the helm, and divisional leaders rounding out the strategic leadership team. Since 9/11, then government shutdowns, multiple wars, natural disasters, and the government sequester, the challenge to most nonprofits is to compete for every available charitable dollar. Chief Executive Officers (CEO) of nonprofits must not only be skillful in maximizing the outcomes with fewer dollars, but also politically savvy in vying for monies for federal, state, local, foundation, and private funding sources.

The nonprofit sector in America is a reflection some of the foundational values that brought our nation into existence. Fundamentals, such as the idea that people can govern themselves and the belief that people should have the opportunity to make a difference by joining a like-minded group, have made America and its nonprofit sector what it is today. The American "civil society" is one that has been produced through generations of experiments with government policy, nonprofit organizations, private partnerships, and individuals who have asserted ideas and values. The future of the nonprofit sector will continue to be experimental in many ways. However, the increase of professional studies in nonprofit management and the greater

1. Connors, T. D. (2001). The Nonprofit Handbook. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [US].

I firmly believe that education is at the base of success. I wanted to pursue a master 's degree in the nonprofit field because I wanted to fully grasp and understand the sector so that I could contribute to its success. As I began to research advanced degrees that revolved around the nonprofit sector I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Bay Path University had a nonprofit management and philanthropy program.

I interviewed three nonprofits located in the San Francisco Tenderloin Neighborhood. These non-profits varied in staff size, budget, and services they provide, but serve similar communities. The communities these organizations serve connect them as a network. However, they are fairly interdependent of each other, therefore the organizations are only loosely coupled (Perrow, 1972, p.196). Based on my interviews, the organizations shared similarities in influences that affected adaptations to their environments. However, their coping strategies varied in their adaptation. Variables that influenced the life cycles and the success of these particular non-profits were securing organizational funding, investing in staff leadership, and responding to political environments.

1. What foundational things seem to be necessary in order to develop the leadership models needed for a nonprofit organization?

Nonprofit charities and foundations are essential in bringing people together for significant causes. One of the most notable aspects of being a strong, well-rounded citizen comes through giving back to communities. Through organizations such as soup kitchens, thrift stores, and hospitals, we can put food in hungry bellies and hope in hungry hearts. Nonprofit attorneys play significant roles in the success of many of these organizations. I am currently planning to pursue a career in law, which will aid me in assisting nonprofit charities that require support in navigating complicated laws and regulations. As a nonprofit attorney, I will guide private foundations in managing their assets and running programs that abide with regulation laws.

Throughout my college career, nonprofit organizations have a played a huge part in shaping me into the person I am today. Serving others has always been a passion of mine, one of which I constantly sought to fulfill these past four years. Upon entering the University of Georgia, I immediately became involved in an organization on campus called UGA Miracle, which raises money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. During my four years, I have become more and more involved, leading to me being given a position this year on their Executive Board as Media Co-Chair. Through this position, I get the opportunity to design graphics, websites, and flyers, as well as make videos, that all help portray our organization in the best

For more than six years I had worked for an Edmonton-based plumbing supply company. Despite rapidly advancing into a leadership role, and gaining valuable experience there, I have recently decided to move into a position that I am passionate about, and have focused my educational and work efforts on changing career paths. I am looking to transition into the non-profit sector, where I can make profound and positive impact on the lives of individuals.

The struggle between the mission and the effort of an organization is one that not only impacts higher education. Nonprofits face this issue more than any other entity. In his book Begging for Change: The Dollars and Sense of Making Nonprofits Responsive, Efficient and Rewarding for All, Egger encourages organizations that they must move beyond the “who” and the “what” and get to the “how” and the “why.” Egger, R., & Yoon, H. (2004). Begging for change: The dollars and sense of making nonprofits responsive, efficient, and rewarding for all (p. 91). New York: HarperBusiness. Robert Egger, is the Founder and President of L.A. Kitchen, which is a nonprofit that recovers local grown damaged fruits and vegetables to fuel a culinary arts job training program for the city’s prison reentry program and for children who aged out of foster care. Egger created this model during his 24-year tenure as the president of the DC Central Kitchen, the country’s first “community kitchen.” Egger explains his experience and inspiration in working in food lines in DC and being astounded that food

My annotated bibliography: Weisbrod, Burton A. (1997). The Future of Nonprofit Sector: Its Entwining with Private Enterprise and Government. Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, 16(4), 541-555.

During my time at TRUCE, I witnessed many of the problems that are prevalent within non-profit organizations such as low job security, high turnover rates, and bad communication among the staff. After processing these different issues have definitely impacted my interest in working with non-profit organizations at the ground-level, in the future, I believe that I could be more effective at an administrative level. Nonetheless, this internship has given me insight into the deeper complications that occur within non-profit organizations and witness firsthand the troubles that face people who are working directly with the population the organization is serving. These observations will help me be more effective and mindful when making decisions at an administrative level. I believe that HCZ is a wonderful organization and is a strong model for other non-profit organizations, but all organizations have room further development and are not immune to

The most successful organizations, the ones that demonstrate a strong competitive lead over their peers, are not just firms striving for higher profits. Some nonprofits take a lead in addressing problems faced by society. They know what they are supposed to be doing for whom. They go at it single-mindedly.

There are several different types of nonprofit organizations, some are big and some are very small. I have interviewed an employee of a large nonprofit in the past. However, for this interview I chose a small nonprofit to gain a different perspective and to apply the organizational communication concepts we have learned in class. A career choice that I am considering, is in the field of nonprofit organizations. For this reason, I chose to interview June Early the Executive Director of Safe Alternatives For Everyone (S.A.F.E.), in Temecula, California.

The nonprofit management education programs reveal that most of its populations are primarily female students who are also working as full-time while taking classes. This is not surprising as classes in the nonprofit leadership at Seattle University are currently