Renewal - the Way of the Biggest and Best
This week, the students of @phillyhistory look to develop an analytical framework for success for the cultural sector.
Rather than take an organization that struggles to survive, I chose to look at an organization that was successful in order to understand a framework of success for nonprofits.
Learning from the Best
My focus is the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Did I choose the easy road by looking at a massively-successful organization? Not so much, as it might teach us about whether or not renew, merge, or close is the best route to nonprofit success.
Gilder Lehrman (GL) was founded by two philanthropists, Lewis Lehrman and Richard Gilder, in 1994 to promote study and interest in American History. From the start, it helps to have multi-millionaire philanthropists who are interested in history contributing money.
However, where Gilder Lehrman really shines is in its ability to continually renew itself. From 1994 to today, the organization has continually attempted to connect through modern technology and popular culture to remain relevant. It has done just that.
The Power of Modern Media
One example of how it renews its appeal is through connection to modern media. Take a look at the goals it set for itself in 2017:
GL saw the potential of the incredible musical Hamilton to connect American History to a diverse population of students. So they teamed with the production and brought students to the musical.
GL followed a growth model to increase the number of schools who used their resources.
GL updated its website to keep pace with technology.
Multiple Routes of Success
Through analysis of the revenues and expenditures, it is clear that GL has not focused only on one or two things. Instead they continue to create new programs and reach out to other potential possibilities. Rather than focus on one program, they harness the power of CONNECTION and they work with people all over the United States, especially in New York City, to expand to a variety of fields.
What does this mean for the SMALL organization?
Is it fair to look at a whale of an example like GL when so many small nonprofits struggle to survive? Absolutely
Even if your organization doesn't have two massively wealthy philanthropists footing the bill, the principle of connection and developing meaningful links to new forms of modern media are possible for even the smallest organizations.
Web-design is something that can be learned for free online. Check out my podcast website that was created with an operating budget of $0.
Connections are made everyday by teachers all over the world. Some of the most meaningful field trips I have observed were born out of connections between teachers and the world outside of education. Non-profits can do this as well, with little cost.
Renewal is the way of a successful organization. Even the biggest and brightest constantly look for ways to renew their offerings. We can learn from them for a more successful nonprofit future.
What do you think: Is it fair to compare to the biggest and most well-funded organizations? Can failing and fledgling organizations still learn from them?
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I'd be curious what others think, but in my view (and from my experience) larger, well funded organization can very much be a model for other orgs, large and small. Scale and resources alone don't guarantee quality and impact. In fact, they often are allowed to get in the way of quality and impact.
Counter intuitive? Ironic? You bet. But look at the sheer number and scope of small, mid-sized and flailing orgs. In many cases, that's where the interesting action has been and where it will continue to be. What habits would encourage that dynamic? Among other things, learning from good models where ever they may be.