The Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations: Where You Are, Where You're Going, and What to Expect When You Get There [Paperback]

Judith Sharken Simon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 15, 2001

The life stage model is a powerful tool for understanding — objectively — your organization's current status and preparing it to move ahead to the future. This useful guide helps you understand where your organization is in its life and how to avoid unnecessary struggles and act on opportunities to boost your organization's development.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A helpful guidebook for nonprofit organizations at any stage of organizational development." -- Paul Connolly, Vice President, TCC Group, New York, NY

"A must read for all nonprofit consultants and management service organization personnel." -- Bill Belcher, Consultant, 501(c) Consulting, Sparks, NV

"A valuable tool in helping nonprofits stay healthy and keep pace with change." -- Anita Sanborn, Vice President, Chapter Services, Alzheimer's Association, Chicago, IL

"Enable boards and staff to collaboratively assess their situation, learn from organizations with similar challenges, and design appropriate action plans." -- Lynda Lieberman Baker, President, Meeting Solutions, Inc., Austin, TX

"Very well written—clear and understandable. Author Judy Sharken Simon did a fine job with a difficult and challenging topic. Congratulations!" -- Holly Korda, Principal, Health Systems Research Associates, Chevy Chase, MD

From the Publisher

FIND OUT WHAT'S NORMAL FOR YOUR NONPROFIT The life stage model is a powerful tool for understanding—objectively—your organization's current status and preparing to move it ahead to the future. In this guide, organization development consultant Judith Sharken Simon, MA, helps you understand where your organization is in its life. You'll learn about the very real challenges and problems facing your nonprofit at any given stage. Directors, board members, managers, and consultants can use this guide to:

* Put problems in context. You’ll learn which problems are typical for your stage of development, and which ones point to potential dangers.

* Effectively manage transitions from one stage to the next. You'll know where you're headed, so you can bring the organization into its next stage of growth.

* Keep the organization on track, working at its best in any given stage. * Watch for the warning signs of decline or dissolution. The Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations includes The Wilder Nonprofit Life Stage Assessment (also sold separately). The Assessment allows you to plot and understand your organization's "home stage" and gauge your progress in seven areas of organization development—governance, staff leadership, finance, administrative systems, staffing, products and services, and marketing. You'll find out how to capitalize on your organization's strengths and shore up its weaknesses. This unique guide also includes:

* Detailed descriptions of the five life stages, with examples of organizations at each stage.

* A case study showing how an organization typically moves through the stages.

* Opportunities and obstacles you're likely to run into.

* The critical events in each stage and why they're necessary for progress.

* Advice on what to focus on to move successfully to the next stage.

* Tips for handling governance, staff leadership, finance, administrative systems, staffing, products and services, and marketing.

* Guidance for consultants who use the Life Stage Assessment. * Extensive bibliography and helpful resources. Use The Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations to help you avoid unnecessary struggles and to act on opportunities to boost your organization's development.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 102 pages
• Publisher: Fieldstone Alliance (May 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0940069229
• ISBN-13: 978-0940069220
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,808 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Succint, insightful overview of nonprofit lifecycle, November 16, 2008

By 

M. E. Likes (Vancouver, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations: Where You Are, Where You're Going, and What to Expect When You Get There (Paperback)

As an executive director of a 7-year old nonprofit undergoing growth and the challenges inherent therein, this book has been an outstanding resource. It carefully, succinctly, and reassuringly reviews both the challenges and opportunities of the various life stages of a nonprofit. This book is a "must read" for all executive staff and Board members of small to medium size nonprofit organizations.

5.0 out of 5 stars well organized, August 28, 2011

By 

G. J Wiener (Westchester, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations: Where You Are, Where You're Going, and What to Expect When You Get There (Paperback)

A very helpful synopsis of the life of a nonprofit. Those looking to start one should buy this as a viable blueprint. The stages make a lot of sense and the details that support it are really good. There is some nice discussion about options when a nonprofit is in trouble and has to review and maybe renew its focus. Merging is a good option.

Some good information is provided on staffing as well. At the beginning the budgets are very shoesting so its hard to expect many if any to draw a salary. But if people believe in a cause, a good nonprofit will survive.

A very good book to start with.