Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast: Episode Summary

Title: How To Talk About Growth Beyond Just Numbers
Host: Brooke Richie-Babbage
Release Date: December 3, 2024

Introduction

In this insightful episode of the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast, host Brooke Richie-Babbage delves into the nuanced topic of organizational growth within the nonprofit sector. Drawing from her extensive 25-year experience as a social justice lawyer, two-time nonprofit founder, and growth strategist, Brooke emphasizes the importance of redefining growth beyond mere numerical expansion to foster meaningful and sustainable impact.

The Pitfall of Number-Centric Growth

Brooke opens the discussion by highlighting the common tendency among nonprofit leaders to equate growth with increasing numbers—be it the number of people served, programs run, or geographic expansion.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [02:01]: "It's the easiest to describe and to measure. And for that reason, it's also often what the folks on our leadership team go to in their work plans."

She points out that while numerical growth is straightforward and often favored by funders, it doesn't always align with the organization's true mission or the depth of impact they aim to achieve.

Redefining Growth: Beyond Numbers

Brooke introduces a comprehensive taxonomy of growth modes, encouraging leaders to consider various dimensions that reflect the true essence of their organization's mission and impact.

1. Numbers

While acknowledging that numerical growth is a fundamental metric, Brooke advises organizations to use it as just one of several indicators of success.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [05:23]: "We know that one, you're going to reach more people. That's growth."

2. Variety

Expanding the variety of services or programs offered can enhance the quality and relevance of support provided without necessarily increasing the number of beneficiaries.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [05:31]: "Maybe you're going to do more with them, right? You're going to expand the way that you serve them."

For example, a nonprofit focused on pre and perinatal health might add additional support services tailored to the evolving needs of the community.

3. Depth

Focusing on depth means engaging more profoundly with each individual or community, fostering long-term transformations rather than short-term metrics.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [06:39]: "That is a way to talk about growth in terms of depth."

This approach emphasizes sustained impact and meaningful change over the duration of engagement.

4. Influence

Enhancing an organization's ability to shape perceptions, decisions, and systems is another critical growth dimension. This is especially pertinent for organizations involved in policy change or advocacy.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [06:41]: "This is where you are increasing, growing your organization's ability to shape perceptions, decisions and systems through your work."

5. Amplification

Amplification involves leveraging partnerships and collective action to magnify the organization's impact within a broader landscape without necessarily increasing its own workload.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [07:08]: "You're amplifying changes in, in a community at a system level or across sectors."

This strategy allows nonprofits to drive significant change by working collaboratively with other stakeholders.

6. Organizational Resilience and Sustainability

Focusing on internal capacity building ensures that the organization can sustain its operations and mission over the long term. This includes strengthening infrastructure and enhancing organizational longevity.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [07:32]: "You can also talk about growth in terms of resilience and sustainability for your organization."

Aligning Growth with Mission

Brooke stresses the importance of aligning growth strategies with the organization's core mission. She cautions against altering programs or expanding reach merely to satisfy external expectations or funding requirements.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [02:29]: "Identify and confidently identify, plan for, and tell the story of the type of growth that is actually meaningful to your organization."

By doing so, nonprofits can ensure that their growth fosters genuine impact and remains true to their foundational goals.

Navigating the Reflection and Refinement Stage

Brooke also addresses periods when organizations may not exhibit traditional growth but are instead in a phase of reflection and refinement. She likens growth to a step function rather than a linear progression, where periods of expansion are followed by stabilization and strategic recalibration.

Brooke Richie-Babbage [03:18]: "Growth is not linear, it's more like a step function."

This perspective encourages leaders to recognize and value growth in various forms, even when it doesn't involve numerical increases.

Conclusion

In this episode, Brooke Richie-Babbage provides a compelling framework for nonprofit leaders to rethink growth. By exploring diverse dimensions such as variety, depth, influence, amplification, and resilience, organizations can cultivate more meaningful and sustainable impact. Brooke's insights empower nonprofits to craft growth narratives that truly reflect their mission and the transformative work they strive to achieve.

Notable Quotes:

• Brooke Richie-Babbage [02:01]: "It's the easiest to describe and to measure. And for that reason, it's also often what the folks on our leadership team go to in their work plans."

• Brooke Richie-Babbage [05:23]: "We know that one, you're going to reach more people. That's growth."

• Brooke Richie-Babbage [06:39]: "That is a way to talk about growth in terms of depth."

• Brooke Richie-Babbage [07:08]: "You're amplifying changes in, in a community at a system level or across sectors."

• Brooke Richie-Babbage [07:32]: "You can also talk about growth in terms of resilience and sustainability for your organization."

Additional Resources

For more insights and resources related to this episode, visit brookerichiebabbage.com/podcast. Subscribe to Leadership Ford 321 newsletter by texting the word impact to 66866 to receive extra tips and materials that build on the podcast discussions.

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode "How To Talk About Growth Beyond Just Numbers" on the Nonprofit Mastermind Podcast. It is designed to provide a comprehensive overview for those who have not listened to the episode.