Fostering Innovation and Engagement in Nonprofit Organizations: A Personal Perspective

SourcePoint, established in 1992, emerged in response to the growing need to provide comprehensive care for the older residents of Delaware?County. My journey with SourcePoint began a few short years later when I became the third full-time member of this nonprofit. Over the years, our organization has witnessed remarkable growth, currently boasting a dedicated team of over 100 employees committed to our mission. As we've grown, we've had to adapt and embrace change to better serve our community.

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The perception that nonprofit organizations are inherently slow to innovate has never held true for SourcePoint. We have actively fostered a culture of continuous improvement by engaging with our team through regular check-ins and valuing their candid feedback.

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These check-ins take various forms, from one-on-one meetings to group discussions and anonymous surveys. The critical factor is establishing a safe and open space where our employees feel free to express their thoughts and ideas. Creating a variety of means for employees to share their ideas ensures the likelihood that each will find one that suits their style of expression. Listening to their feedback is the first step, however, following that up with action based on their suggestions demonstrates that each team member's voice is not only heard but deeply valued.

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Regular engagement check-ins do more than just improve morale; they can also bring innovative ideas to light. Often, employees working directly at the heart of the nonprofit's mission possess unique insights and perspectives that can uncover new opportunities for growth and impact. This, in turn, can lead to the development of new solutions and initiatives, propelling the organization forward.

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An early example of this is our New to Medicare classes, which educate those approaching Medicare eligibility on navigating the many options available to find one best suited to their needs. These classes were born from feedback from our insurance specialists who identified common questions from their individual sessions. They developed the curriculum, and these classes offered throughout the county enable us to serve a far greater number of people, reserving the one-on-one sessions for more challenging situations.

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Another example features a student intern within our in-home care program. After suggesting to her supervisor that our social workers facilitate the clients in identifying their strengths as part of setting their individual goals, she was invited to present her idea to department leadership for consideration. Ultimately, her idea was incorporated into the client assessment and goal-setting process, leading to favorable client outcomes.

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It's critical for nonprofit leaders to understand that the implementation of regular check-ins requires commitment. It's not enough to merely solicit input; we must act upon the results. We also must follow up to evaluate the outcome for unintended consequences. Finally, we must intentionally and frequently repeat the cycle on an ongoing basis — it is not “one-and-done.” Thriving nonprofits like SourcePoint embrace change and take calculated risks to foster better results and create a lasting impact.

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Our journey at SourcePoint has been a testament to the power of engaging employees and embracing necessary change. As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain committed to our core mission: helping our community live well after 55. By engaging our employees through regular check-ins, we empower them to contribute to our cause in a profound way. Together, we nurture a culture of excellence and innovation that improves our organization and directly benefits the lives of the older residents we serve. It is this dedication to our mission that drives us forward and makes everything we do deeply rewarding, reminding us of the positive impact we can collectively make on the world.

– Fara Waugh, Chief Executive Officer, SourcePoint and Alison Yeager, Director of Communications and Development, SourcePoint