The dilemma of a Non-Profit Founder

The personal stakes for social entrepreneurs who are launching a new non-profit are high. Like any other startup activities, the founder pours his heart and soul in the development of a living organism, typically contributing their own money with the time and energy to get the idea off the ground. Unlike a for-profit venture, however, the founders gains little in terms of personal benefits unless, of course, the satisfaction of doing good. For many non-profit founders, can be very difficult to let go of the organization that is their idea ... but in most cases, at the end it should be.

There is much debate among the elite of the nonprofit sector on the issue of the Founder's Syndrome, in which a non-profit is able to grow and develop beyond a certain point due to the continuous monitoring of the founder's original vision. In fact the problem exists in the for-profit organizations as well - entrepreneurs often become entrenched in doing things the way they have always been done, usually at the expense of the bottom line. Successful managers of all types must be flexible, always anticipating the next opportunity or threat coming their way. Things change too quickly to be in your ways.

In the nonprofit world, the founders are required to relinquish control, almost as soon as the organization is run. Because a non-profit company is owned by the public and managed by a board, there is no room for one of the founders to retain control over all aspects of business. In general, the founder can choose to be on the card or fill the position of Executive Director ... but not both. This means you must choose between having some control over the organization of the government through a vote on the board, or they can remain involved in day to day operations of the NPO and leave management to others.

The best option depends on the particular wishes of the founder, but there are some things to keep in mind either way. The harsh realities of launching a startup nonprofit is that once launched, is no longer yours. It's no longer about what you want, what you think, or how you feel. As soon as the registration documents are filed, the organization belongs to the public. The organization's vision to become the norm, and that the vision is created through the work of board members, staff, and even volunteers. Of course, whatever the role of the founder decides to fill, you can still have a significant influence on the direction of the non-profit, but can not assume absolute power over every aspect.

The founders are those who best know from the beginning that the nonprofit will be communicated to other stakeholders and plan for this eventuality through good planning. The only advantage is one of the founders is that they are responsible for the determination of the nonprofit foundation. Managed properly, the ideas and vision of the founder will be clear in purpose, programs, policies and organizational culture. And, the founders who are thinking about the future can create an ideal plan of succession - one can identify and train leaders who continue to think like a non-profit, on the way you have planned .......