Insights from Atlanta's Leading Voices
On October 29, 2024, Springboard Strategy joined SouthState Bank's Adrienne White and Nancy Lewis to host "From Challenge to Choice: Guiding Your Nonprofit Through Tough Decisions." Nearly 50 nonprofit leaders from across Atlanta gathered for this timely event, featuring a panel with Jennifer Dorian (CEO of WABE), Julianna Cagle (President of the Goizueta Foundation), and Ellen Landers (former Board Chair of Hands On Atlanta and a key figure in Atlanta’s nonprofit sector). Springboard’s CEO, Amy Zehfuss, curated and moderated the discussion, drawing out insights and actionable strategies to help nonprofit leaders steer through uncertainty and change.
Facing a tough choice?
Consider these powerful strategies from our panelists for navigating difficult decisions in challenging times:
Adapt to Financial Realities: Funding constraints often prompt tough decisions, but effective teams view these moments as opportunities for creative thinking and strategic refinement.
Divesting Can Open New Opportunities: Panelists highlighted how carefully stepping back from lower-impact programs can create room for initiatives that better align with current community needs.
Use Scenarios to Align Stakeholders: By asking “what if” questions, organizations can help diverse stakeholders envision several possible futures. This enables more informed, higher-quality decisions.
Leverage Strategic Partnerships: A collaborative, not competitive, approach to partnerships can amplify impact and collective success. Funders also prefer to support cooperative efforts.
Engage Your Board and Executive Committee: Leveraging your board’s unique skills and your executive committee’s critical thinking can offer valuable insights and “reality checks” in times of challenge.
Focus for Greater Impact: It might sound surprising, but narrowing your focus doesn’t lessen your impact—it can make it stronger, helping you stand out and make a bigger difference.
Leadership Actions
Try these practical steps when facing tough decisions as a nonprofit leader:
Build a Trusted Community: Cultivating a network of peers provides a supportive space to test ideas, share challenges, and learn collectively. Our panelists emphasized the importance of "finding your people" to help ease the isolation often felt in leadership.
Consider Finding a New Home Before Sunsetting: Explore partnering with another organization to carry the work forward rather than ending a program entirely. This approach can preserve community trust and ensure valuable efforts continue even if your organization is no longer the best fit to lead them.
Phase Major Changes Gradually: Successfully making strategic shifts can benefit from a phased approach, allowing staff, board, and community to adapt and align.
Embrace Bold Decision-Making: Challenge established practices when they no longer support your mission. Letting go of what doesn’t serve you can open new paths to make an even greater impact.
Our discussion highlighted that leading a nonprofit through change requires a clear vision and practical approaches. As Atlanta’s nonprofit landscape evolves, leaders who pair bold action with thoughtful follow-through will position their organizations for lasting impact.
