Triple Creeks Consulting

This is for those of you who are working to start, build, or stabilize a nonprofit: your struggles are so real, and guess what - it's not about you, but about the system you're forced to work within. There is a substantial amount of idealism in the mainstream imagination when it comes to non-profits - after years of working in the non-profit industry, maybe this is fading. Or, maybe this is why you're joining the non-profit sector. Either way, let's move back the curtain a bit and talk about the Non-Profit Industrial complex (NPIC). This is a term which is used by social justice activists to describe the way non-profit organizations, governments, and businesses are related. I believe that NPIC is deepened greatly by the legal requirements (defined by the government) of being a 501(c)(3) non-profit. These legal requirements, like so many aspects of our legal system, are all firmly rooted in white-supremacy and patriarchal culture. I see 3 major ways the legal requirements, benefits, and beliefs around non-profit organizations contribute to continued inequities: 👉Non-profits are governed by largely volunteer boards - and as a result, they are not governed by the community they are serving – Volunteers make major decisions for the organization, including it’s strategic direction and management of key personnel. Volunteers are generally people who have access to time & money resources; this demographic is generally not the target for the philanthropic efforts of a non-profit. 👉Non-profits depend on funding from the philanthropic sector, where the flow of money is largely dictated by the beneficiaries of capitalism - The reality is, the philanthropic agendas carried out by non-profits require funding; this funding, because of the realities of how money is distributed within capitalism, is often connected with ‘big business’, or large organizations that don’t necessarily functionally practice what they are supporting with their monetary donations to these organizations. 👉Becoming a non-profit is not the only way to effect positive change within a community, or have community-minded ideals nested into your work - The idea that philanthropic work is the only way to effect change in your community is problematic. There are many businesses that operate around having a positive impact, and many alternative ways to bring to life supporting your community in an authentic and impactful way. I definitely recommend checking out the book “The Revolution Will Not be Funded” for more interesting tips on the NPIC! 〰️ #socialjustice #npic #consulting #womanowned #consultingagency #scalingbusiness #businessgrowth #smallbusiness #systemsconsultant #solopreneur #timefreedom #systemsmanagement #workwithnonprofits #changemaker #systemicchange #valuesbasedbusiness #sustainablesolutions #businesssolutions #businessupport #findjoyinyourwork