Non-Profits in Africa: How to Successfully Pivot

Once in a while, non-profit organizations will seek to take up a mandate that might not be in their core focus line or even pivot completely to target a separate agenda. How can non-profits hang seamlessly?

What happens when a non-profit organization discovers a new area of focus. Or its original goals are no longer effective? What could non-profits do to expand their areas of focus? From educational concerns to gender equality? Or from health to environmental issues or political stress?

There are many ways to incorporate a new cause into an existing non-profit body. But there are several considerations to consider when picking up an unknown cause or pivoting altogether.?

“But pivoting — a shift in strategy that helps an organization achieve its desired impact — is crucial for non-profits that want to succeed over the long-term. ‘Pivot’ doesn’t have to be a bad word or signal failure. Think of it, instead, as a natural part of organizational evolution,” Sarah Kornhauser is, Director, Colorado for UpStart, said in an article on Philanthropy News Digest.

She added that "pivots can be large or small, but they should emerge from a clear understanding of what is working and what is not," a transparent audit of why the pivot is needed, and what the new aim is.?

"Using data (e.g., performance metrics, evaluations, and direct observation) to decide whether or not it's time to pivot will ensure that you pivot in the right direction. This kind of intentionality, coupled with the ability to admit what isn't working, makes a strategic pivot different than just throwing spaghetti against the wall and seeing what sticks," she stated.?

What are some clear ways non-profits can easily take up new mandates clearly and concisely? Here are some thoughts:?

1. Audit new and old goals

Taking a deep audit of what the organization has achieved and what it intends to accomplish in the next phase gives a greater perspective of why the pivot is needed. For some organizations, the mission has been saturated, and there is no more room for growth. For some, times have changed, and there is a much bigger societal cause to jump on to.?

“Begin by examining your present situation. Take a look at every aspect of your nonprofit: mission, services rendered, board and staff structure, volunteers, the works. If you’ve set goals before, revisit them and see how well you met them,” Samantha Alarie-Leca, who has worked with numerous nonprofits, said in an article.?

“With a grip on your organization’s current status, it’s time to consider the direction you want to go. Creating a vision statement and plan paints the picture of the organization’s desired direction and should be the deliverable completed at this stage,” she added.?

Writing the goals for the new target will also help non-profit leaders to analyze if this is a field that is already flooded with other bodies doing the same thing or more needs to be done in the new area. In addition, non-profits need to ask themselves what net thing they are bringing in.?

2. Start with a partnership to learn the new landscape

One great way of testing the waters while considering a pivot is to align your organization with one already in the space you want to move into. This can open great learnings and make you understand the real need in the new area. Such partnerships can also be an avenue to support this cause without fully pivoting from the original goals.?

Partnership within the non-profit world is something that has thrived over the years. It is not a new thing for these organizations. Before you make a turn, consider more partnerships with organizations within your physical area or even international bodies.?

3. Consider a subsidiary or sister organization?

What is the new cause is as important as the old? What if the two complement each other? Apart from partnership consideration, opening up parent organization subdivisions to tackle the new cause can also be a step into pivoting.?

Creating new organizations can be quite a task but can benefit the non-profits if the latest and the old causes are still important. There could be a total separation of the two entities in due time, but the synergies can then create something much bigger and better while making pivoting an easy exercise.?

Caution in taking this route is that there should be harmony between the two bodies, as they would probably have different leadership groups.?

?"A careful front-end review of the reasons for creating a non-profit subsidiary, the different governance, and management structure options, and the key operational considerations arising from a subsidiary's relationship with the parent organization are crucial first steps." Organizations that navigate these first steps thoughtfully will be in a much better position to create a thriving and sustainable subsidiary while successfully advancing the mission on a broader scale." an article from Sustainability Education for Non-Profits reiterated.

4. Consider re-branding

Rebranding is the last mark to herald the complete change of focus for a non-profit. It gives the audience a clear signal of what the new outfit will tackle and avoids confusion with the old.?

With a new vision and goals, rebranding should not be arduous but reflect the organization's heading.?

Kevin Xu, founder of the Human Heritage project, said in a Forbes article: "As a non-profit co-founder, I believe rebranding has the important, long-term strategic value of adding layers to your organizational culture. Leadership varies based on style, character, and vision. Rebranding is a way to integrate modern individual leadership traits into your company's historical culture."

He believes that it is vital to bring the organization's new target onboard the employees and the public to ensure success.?

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