And Ever the Twain Shall Meet
An interesting column in the Washington Post’s business section yesterday by think tanker Eugene Steuerle posits that with Americans becoming more charitable and with the country’s commercial enterprise increasingly producing “goods and services that can serve charitable purposes,” we’re on the cusp of having to redefine charity:
In this new system, charities, government, and charitable watchdog groups inevitably will see opportunities and tensions proliferate. And as service and innovation incubate together, the never-bright line between what is charitable and what isn’t — determined in part by “charitable purpose” so health care and research qualify but manufacturing and entertainment don’t — will blur even further.
Steuerle asks — but doesn’t answer — whether the swirling combination of cooperation and competition between nonprofits and for-profits will result in greater giving. I’m not so sure the lines dividing the two sectors are as fuzzy as he says, but, regardless, for nonprofits, I think, the lesson is to step back regularly and contextualize. Realize what’s happening in the wider world, make strategic planning a regular part of the operation, and don’t be afraid to engage with different business models if it may help you advance your mission. | 501(c)
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POSTED IN: For-profit, Strategy
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