WHY COMMUNITY CONNECTION IS NON-NEGOTIABLE

I've seen it time and again: nonprofits that aren't deeply connected to the communities they serve miss critical opportunities. Having recently facilitated a community leader forum for a strategic planning project and a community needs assessment, I'm always excited when community leaders are fully engaged and ready to help. I often hear them say, "Thank you for inviting me to participate today; I've learned so much about this organization," "I appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback on this important initiative for our community" and “This is exciting! How can I help?”

The word "community" includes a diverse group of stakeholders, including clients, community residents, members, donors, board members, and staff, all of whom play a vital role in the organization's mission and success. Not connecting with your community is like trying to bake a cake without knowing the ingredients: you might end up with something, but it won't be what it should be.

At the heart of the issue, I've found that this lack of connection leads to several key challenges:

• Misunderstanding of Needs: Without being in close contact with the community, nonprofits can easily misinterpret or overlook the actual needs, challenges, and aspirations of the individuals they aim to serve. This leads to programs and services that may be irrelevant, ineffective, or simply miss the mark.
• Loss of Trust and Legitimacy: When nonprofits operate in isolation, they risk losing the trust and credibility of the community. People are less likely to support or engage with organizations that aren't seen as being responsive to their concerns or that don't understand their lived experiences.
• Diminished Program Effectiveness: The effectiveness of any nonprofit program hinges on community involvement. When organizations fail to work in genuine partnership with community members, they miss out on invaluable insights, feedback, and local knowledge. This can result in programs that are not culturally sensitive, appropriate, or sustainable in the long run.
• Strained Resource Mobilization: Nonprofits rely on a variety of resources to carry out their work, including volunteers, funding, and in-kind support. But strong community connections are the key to unlocking these resources. People are more inclined to support organizations they feel are truly working for their community and making a tangible difference.
• Hindered Social Change: For nonprofits striving to create social change, community connection is paramount. By building broad-based support and engaging community members in advocacy efforts, organizations can amplify their impact and drive lasting change.

To effectively engage the community, here are five quick tips for nonprofits

• Actively listen to and seek input from all stakeholders regularly.
• Foster a sense of belonging and shared purpose that makes a connection with stakeholders.
• Communicate often.
• Collaborate with community partners to maximize opportunities and impact.
• Recognize and celebrate the contributions of all stakeholders.

Nonprofits exist to serve communities. To do this effectively, they must be more than just service providers; they must be active, engaged members of the community, deeply invested in their well-being and progress.