I think this will happen more broadly all across the sector; moreover, I think its a call to action...especially for boards. Look, the Aspen Institute says that the non-profit sector has grown 54% in revenues since 1995…a period when GDP growth has been about 34%. That’s a rise in revenues at nearly 160% of the GDP...and from four dominant sources: government, charitable contributions, dues, fees and charges and earned income. So here we are in a “correction” that has some of the earmarks of 1929 and all four of these revenue sources are under duress. Could the decline be as comparatively robust as its rise? dunno, but even if it tracks with the economy in general, this decline will place huge demands on the sector leadership…its executives and directors...to rethink the "business models" and independence mantras that under gird the sector. We're not going to "bake sale" our way out of this. My article in the February 09 issue of Directors Monthly on "Voluntary Ownership: rethinking the Non Profit Board", is the opener to this conversation.

Thanks so much for attending the summit today and writing about it in your blog. I am interested to know more about your thoughts on the challenges in the coming year(s) and if you had more suggestions on what non profits can do to build capacity.

Best,

Tom Kuplic
United Way Dane County
Director of Communications