Redesigning Nonprofits

Move over business and government. The third sector is here to inspire hope and improve democracy in our 250th year…and beyond! In Redesigning Nonprofits, three seasoned nonprofit leaders confront a pivotal reality: the nonprofit sector is a core pillar of American democracy — yet its structures were built for a different era. When governments stall and markets fail, nonprofits have always been the ones to step in – giving voice to the voiceless, advancing social justice, and providing essential services that allow communities to function. But today, chronic underfunding, administrative burnout, and a growing web of interconnected crises have exposed an outdated operating system that forces incrementalism when the moment demands transformation. The authors argue that these challenges are not failures of leadership or commitment — they are symptoms of structures that no longer match the scale of the problems. Drawing on history, research, and insights from dozens of nonprofit leaders and innovators, the book explores how new approaches to funding, leadership, technology, and collaboration can unlock the sector's full potential. Readers will discover: Why nonprofits are essential democratic infrastructure — and what's at stake if we fail to reform themActionable insights from leaders who have pioneered new models of governance and collaboration in response to rapidly evolving conditionsPractical frameworks for replacing outdated funding mechanisms and leadership models that no longer serve mission-driven organizationsStrategies for building organizational resilience and purpose-driven cultures that can thrive amid uncertainty and systemic changeReal-world case studies showing how small to mid-sized nonprofits have redesigned their structures to achieve greater sustainability and impactTools for overcoming the myths and mindsets that limit nonprofit effectiveness, from leaders who have collectively founded, built, and scaled over 50 organizationsA detailed call to action with models, ideas, and steps that can transform the sector and lead toward greater partnership with government and business, and discussion questions to revitalize our national dialogue What emerges is both a critique and a hopeful vision: a nonprofit sector capable of mobilizing communities, strengthening democracy, and shaping a more just and resilient future. Essential for executive directors, board members, strategic donors, staff, consultants, financial and legacy advisors, and volunteers, Redesigning Nonprofits equips leaders at small to mid-sized organizations with the frameworks, strategies, and imagination needed to meet this moment.