Why Nonprofits Fail: Overcoming Founder′s Syndrome, Fundphobia and Other Obstacles to Success - Hardcover

Block, Stephen R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0787964093 ISBN 13: 9780787964092

Publisher: Jossey Bass, 2004

Synopsis

In "Why Nonprofits Fail", author and nonprofit expert Stephen Block explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to views of their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems rather than help fix them. According to Block, the first step to success is to challenge one's own personal paradigms and ideas and be open to unique and alternative approaches to solving problems. This much-needed book helps nonprofits get back on track and offers advice about the seven most common stumbling blocks, including: founder's syndrome; fundphobia; financial misfortune; recruitment disorientation; cultural depression in nonprofit organizations; self-serving political performance; and, the role confusion between the board and executive director.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen R. Block is the founding executive director of Denver Options, Inc., a nonprofit organization that manages the developmental disabilities service delivery system of care in Denver. He is the director of the Nonprofit Management Program at the University of Colorado at Denver's Graduate School of Public Affairs. Block was a consulting editor for the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly and on the editorial board of the Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation.

From the Back Cover

An Essential Guide for Helping Your Nonprofit Succeed

"All of us who have dealt with nonprofits know how complex they are managerially. This book unravels much of this complexity and shows through concepts and case histories how nonprofits can become more effective in fulfilling their missions. This book will become a must read for all founders and executives of nonprofits."
Edgar H. Schein, Sloan Fellows Professor of Management Emeritus, MIT Sloan School of Management

"This important book shows the benefits of applying several theories and concepts from the management and social science literature to the tough problems faced by nonprofit managers. This book can and will undoubtedly be read and effectively used by those nonprofit managers who face such problems as founder s syndrome, poor meeting attendance and poor fund raising by board members, rapid staff turnover, and colleagues who pursue personal advantage at the expense of others."
Robert Herman, professor of organizational behavior, Cookingham Institute of Public Affairs, Henry W. Bloch School of Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri Kansas City

"Theories, concepts, frameworks? Seven familiar Problems? What is it that makes Why Nonprofits Fail a must read for leaders, managers, and board members of nonprofit organizations? While the subject matter is familiar, Stephen R. Block provides new ways to think about how to engage in effective problem solving. In doing so he effectively takes on the daunting task of making theories convincing tools of practice without becoming too academic. His plain spokenness and able use of case examples make this book accessible to all readers concerned about building successful nonprofit organizations."
Suzanne Feeney, associate professor and director, Institute for Nonprofit Management, Hartfield School of Government, Portland State University

From the Inside Flap

In an era of increased demands for accountability and effectiveness, executive directors and managers of nonprofit organizations often find themselves struggling with problems they are unable to resolve. Why is it that intelligent, well-meaning individuals can manage and guide their organizations into a dysfunctional and chaotic mess and not find their way out?

In Why Nonprofits Fail, author and nonprofit expert Stephen Block explains that many well-intentioned leaders hold on to views of their nonprofit organizations that perpetuate problems rather than help fix them. According to Block, the first step to success is to challenge one?s own personal paradigms and ideas and be open to unique and alternative approaches to solving problems. This much-needed book helps nonprofits get back on track and offers advice about the seven most common stumbling blocks, including:

• Founder?s syndrome
• Fundphobia
• Financial misfortune
• Recruitment disorientation
• Cultural depression in nonprofit organizations
• Self-serving political performance
• Role confusion between the board and executive director

Block includes illustrative case examples for each of the seven key obstacles and shows how to prevent and diagnose these obstacles. The book also contains straightforward analysis of what works and what doesn?t and practical advice for guiding leaders to developing a framework that will help them effectively manage and move their organizations from good intentions to real results.

Edition details

• Publisher: Jossey Bass
• Publication date: 2004
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0787964093
• ISBN 13: 9780787964092
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 208