Most people are conscious of the evolving developmental stages in children or pets, but fewer consider the life stages of an organization.
A recent board training reminded me that nonprofits (among other organizations) move through stages as the organization evolves.
- Stage 1: Vision: where a founder(s) sees a possibility and imagines how an organization can fulfill it
- Stage 2: Start-up: the organization becomes a reality and begins implementation
- Stage 3: Building a foundation: Where processes allow the organization to grow
- Stage 4: Maturity: The focus shifts from an entrepreneurial beginning to one of sustainability
- Stage 5: Change: Requiring a refocus and review of the original mission and how to meet it
- Stage 6: Dissolution: When the need has been met or the infrastructure to proceed ends
Organizations don’t move through stages linearly; instead, they may move back and forth between earlier stages as personnel, the environment, and circumstances change. I think of leadership dots and the decision to rethink the number of days I publish (stage 5), allowing the organization (me) to continue (stage 4). Without this renewal, I think I would have been close to stage 6.]
Where is your organization today? Assessing your organization through this lens may clarify where to focus and what resources you need to thrive.
Source: Board Bootcamp, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
