Why nonprofits fail: overcoming founder's syndrome, fundphobia, and other obstacles to success

In Why Nonprofits Fail, author and nonprofit expert Stephen Block explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to views of their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems rather than help fix them. According to Block, the first step to success is to challenge one's own personal paradigms and ideas and be open to unique and alternative approaches to solving problems. This much-needed book helps nonprofits get back on track and offers advice about the seven most common stumbling blocks, including: Founder's syndrome Fundphobia Financial misfortune Recruitment disorientation Cultural depression in nonprofit organizations Self-serving political performance Role confusion between the board and executive director In an era of increased demands for accountability and effectiveness, executive directors and managers of nonprofit organizations often find themselves struggling with problems they are unable to resolve. Why is it that intelligent, well-meaning individuals can manage and guide their organizations into a dysfunctional and chaotic mess and not find their way out? In Why Nonprofits Fail, author and nonprofit expert Stephen Block explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to views of their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems rather than help fix them. According to Block, the first step to success is to challenge one's own personal paradigms and ideas and be open to unique and alternative approaches to solving problems. This much-needed book helps nonprofits get back on track and offers advice about the seven most common stumbling blocks. Block includes illustrative case examples for each of the seven key obstacles and shows how to prevent and diagnose these obstacles. The book also contains straightforward analysis of what works and what doesn't and practical advice for guiding leaders to developing a framework that will help them effectively manage and move their organizations from good intentions to real results. Why Nonprofits Fail......Page 5 Contents......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 Acknowledgments......Page 17 The Author......Page 19 Part I: Charting a New Path to Success......Page 21 1. Preventing Failure, Ensuring Success......Page 23 2. The Need for Alternative Tools......Page 33 3. The Framework and the Steps......Page 41 4. First-Order and Second-Order Approaches to Change......Page 47 Part II: Seven Tough Problems and How to Solve Them......Page 59 5. Recruitment Disorientation......Page 61 6. Cultural Depression in Nonprofit Organizations......Page 79 7. Political Performance......Page 93 8. Role Confusion......Page 111 9. Financial Misfortune......Page 127 10. Fundphobia......Page 141 11. Founder’s Syndrome......Page 155 Conclusion: Managing Nonprofit Organizational Change......Page 175 Resource A: A Review of Organizational Behavior Theories......Page 181 Resource B: Recommended Reading......Page 199 References......Page 201 Index......Page 205 In Why Nonprofits Fail, Author And Nonprofit Expert Stephen Block Explains That Many Well-intentioned Leaders Hold On To Views Of Their Nonprofit Organizations That Perpetuate Problems Rather Than Help Fix Them. According To Block, The First Step To Success Is To Challenge One's Own Personal Paradigms And Ideas And Be Open To Unique And Alternative Approaches To Solving Problems. This Much-needed Book Helps Nonprofits Get Back On Track And Offers Advice About The Seven Most Common Stumbling Blocks.--jacket. Preventing Failure, Ensuring Success -- The Need For Alternative Tools -- The Framework And The Steps -- First-order And Second-order Approaches To Change -- Recruitment Disorientation -- Cultural Depression In Nonprofit Organizations -- Political Performance -- Role Confusion -- Financial Misfortune -- Fundphobia -- Founder's Syndrome. Stephen R. Block. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 179-183) And Index. Explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to views of their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems rather than help fix them. This book offers non-profits advice about common stumbling blocks, including: founder's syndrome; fundphobia; financial misfortune; and, recruitment disorientation.