Today's economic conditions are difficult for everyone, including nonprofits. I think this is an important time for nonprofits to think "outside the box" and look at creative ways of making ends meet and unique models that are working for other nonprofits. Recently, I returned from our quarterly Otto Bremer Foundation and Nonprofit Resource Specialist meetings and I was impressed with an organization in Minnesota that has changed from a senior center with one physical location, to one that moves around to different locations. This has given the center the opportunity to reduce its monthly building cost and still thrive and enjoy the center, members and activities. It is essentially a senior center without walls while maintaining the goal of a social gathering place.
Another successful "out of the box" program is being formulated in northern Minnesota with a community center being built that will house the local municipalities and other organizations. This allows the community center to become self sustaining by renting space out to other community organizations. I've always been impressed with how nonprofits can do so much with so little. I look forward to seeing what unique models will come forward in these challenging economic times.
Kelly Greenlees, NRS, Grand Forks
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