Why Nonprofits Fail: Overcoming Founder's Syndrome, Fundphobia and Other Obstacles to Success

by Stephen R. Block

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, 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

Genres: Nonfiction

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 25, 2003

About the author

Stephen R. Block (MSW Indiana University, PhD University of Colorado) is research professor at the University of Colorado, Denver School of Public Affairs and a Fulbright Scholar in Nonprofit/Nongovernmental Management. He has over thirty-six years of experience on nonprofit boards. He was the executive director of the Colorado Chapter of National Association of Social Workers, the Colorado-based Institute for Nonprofit Organization Management, and is the founding executive director of Rocky Mountain Human Services (RMHS).

But, Block was fired in July 2015, it's in the news under "Former CEO of Rocky Mountain Human Services sues, alleges conspiracy"

Reviews

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you work with/in/for nonprofits this is worth a read. It breaks down the aspects of internal organizational conflicts into components and offers reframing and analytical guidance for addressing conflicts.

[Henrik Blunck · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book that anyone involved in fund-raising in Non-profit organizations can learn a lot from. It asks - and answers - all the important questions that need to be raised in these organizations to maintain an on-focus attention towards attaining your very best in all aspects of the organization.

[Anna]

Read for NPLR 5000

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title sounds gloomy, but the subject matter will probably be of interest, mostly to people who realize that nonprofits frequently succeed. I'm currently a board member of a non-profit, and I was employed by one in the past. Co-ops are a kindred sort of undertaking, and I've been a member (and board member) of several co-ops that (though run on a "not-for-profit" basis) do pay wages, and sometimes accumulate $ surplus. This book offers good insight & advice. Worth a read.