4th Annual Nonprofit Business Summit, May 3rd 2011: Part III

Diversified Funding Resources/Earned Income 
Karl Gentles, ED, Back-to-School Clothing Drive
Gayle Pincus, Social Enterprise Consultant, Palo Verde Business Advisors, LLC


A workshop for enterprising nonprofits. What are social entrepreneurs doing to solve social problems? Learn about earned income models for tax exempt, for profit and hybrid social enterprises. With social entrepreneur, Karl Gentles, executive director, Back to School Clothing Drive, and social enterprise consultant, Gayle Pincus, discuss emerging sustainability models, social venture philanthropy, and how business thinking shapes solutions to society’s challenges. Open your eyes to new revenue-generating ideas, upcoming learning opportunities, and how to apply them to your organization!

Some things I learned:


~ A growing number of tax-exempt organizations create earned income streams to strengthen their financial stability and program reach.

*8 Basic Principles of NP Entrepreneurs

~ Earned income is paramount
~ Be a player or don't play at all
~ Starting a business venture is not the only path to success
~ Unrelated business activities are dangerous
~ Be patient-and don't run out of money.
~ Recognize the differences between innovators, entrepreneurs, and professional managers
~ The "nonprofit" culture gets in the way
~ Remember the Noah Principle: No more prizes for predicting rain. You only get a prize if you build the ark.