Creativity has been insufficiently acknowledged as a key factor in the important work of social services/non-profits, whether here in America or abroad. Considering the strategic challenges many charities and social service agencies are having raising money and keeping their doors open during this economic downturn, it’s time to raise creativity as an indispensible part of any charitable work.
Why do I say it’s overlooked and insufficiently acknowledged? It’s typical human behavior for people to mimic, copy, mirror actions they see in others. In non-profit work we’ve taken that to an art-form. We copy fundraisers, slogans, direct mail. We hear that someone down the street gave $50,000 to an important cause and we think to ourselves “I need them to give me $50,000″. Unfortunately for those non-profits that follow this ethic, it just doesn’t work that way and they are soon caught in the death-spiral that leads to the doors being closed. (I’m all for BENCHMARKING but don’t kid yourself that your benchmarking if you haven’t been rigorous about it)
It’s not just on the strategic and fundraising side, there also exists ‘group think’ on the program side of social services. We start judging success by a minimum standard of behavior that meets an outcome base evaluation from a funder, instead of thinking creatively about what my job REALLY is and how I can make the most impact.
YES, THE WORK IS NOBLE. BUT IN AND OF ITSELF THAT ISN’T AN EXCUSE FOR FOLLOWING A FORMULA INSTEAD OF A UNIQUE AND CREATIVE PATH.
Here’s the objections I hear whenever I talk about this subject.
1. We don’t have the staff, time, money to be creative. I see this as a reason to seek creative solutions, not as a hinderance. It’s because of lack of staffing, time and money that we need to seek creative collaborations. It’s for these same reasons that we need to use technology to raise effectiveness and cut costs. It’s because time, money and limited staff that we need to leaverage the power of new internet services like Twitter, Facebook, video-conferencing, and YouTube to get our message out there and to connect with our donors. Any non-profit or social services organization that waits until these technologies (or more importantly the next ones that are coming) will just be continuing the follow-the-leader game that we’ve done for generations before. Unfortunately, that game leads nowhere in this new environment.
2. My work isn’t by nature creative, it’s a service I perform. Having managed a couple of different non-profits I can say with confidence that NO JOB is separated from a need for creative thoughts, ideas and innovation. In the “everybody does everything” environment of non-profit it’s a must.
Are there tasks that you can automate to make your job streamlined?
Are there ways you can leaverage internet/technology to save time/money to reach people?
Are there roadblocks that you consistently hit that that you could find a work around?
3. Funders don’t fund creativity in social services. Don’t chase funding for funding sake. Solve a problem and the money will come.
4. My boss won’t me try new things. I hope no one at the Rescue Mission thinks this, because it’s actually the reverse. We need you to try to develop new and better ways to serve our clients and help them get back into a successful life. For those who don’t work in an a “creatively tolerant” environment I urge you to remember that in the big picture of life, You work for yourself and for God’s glory. While I never advise insubordination, don’t ever sell yourself short because someone didn’t give you permission. All you do in your job in the service for others is a ministry and you shouldn’t be hindered pursuing new ways of doing things. Most supervisors love results, but if you find one that doesn’t you need to consider moving. Life’s too short.
This is a great post. The current financial and operational environment will force agencies to be more creative and the ones that do will thrive. I’m really excited to see so many young non-profits being created due to the fact that they’re creative and being built on community support.
Very insightful David. I agree with you, we need more creativity in our approach to helping our clients. With the difficult population we are blessed to serve, our ways to reach them must come from the heart. I believe it does. I find it refreshing to walk in their shoes every now and then, in the courtyard, in the streets, etc… I ask questions about how I can better serve them in my capacity at TRM. Their answers have been quite interesting to say the least. My hope is that we could as a whole, begin to talk more people who are not just in our facilities, but are out in the streets in person. The internet is a great vehicle to reach other people who might want to know more about what we do here. I am very pleased with the direction we’re moving in. God Bless!!
Very interesting and provocative. I agree and would add that the less money/funding is involved the more creative you can be and often you get better outcomes. I’ve been thinking a lot this week about this and love the thought of taking this to an extreme level and seeing how creative I can get in a new area. Thanks David!
Inspiring, as always, David. Your lessons apply to all walks of life and all businesses. Thanks for continuing to think — and to think provactively and creatively. Every time I read your blog or follow your tweets, I learn something.
Thanks.
Shari