In our class on October 16th, we briefly touched on the tendency of individuals disillusioned with large organizations to break out and start their own NGO. Professor Casey questioned the relative merit of working in a large organization versus joining the ranks of non-profit entrepreneurs. As a young person working in a large organization, the sheer immensity of which can obscure even a dedicated civil servant's sense of purpose and impact, this is a question I frequently wrestle with. How can I maximize the impact of my work? Is the advantage that large organizations gain through political and financial power lost through the unwieldy nature of bureaucracy? Or does association with a known organization confer legitimacy that is unavailable to small-scale, grassroots enterprises?
A provocative and inspiring article by Nicholas Kristof published in the NYT on he "do-it-yourself foreign aid revolution" examines the trials and tribulations of young, enthusiastic but often naive non-profit founders:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/24/magazine/24volunteerism-t.html?ref=magazine
In the article, Kristof features successes and failed enterprises, all initiated and operated by young women. Some started with passion and learned the skills along the way; others were highly educated seeking to apply their skills. For me this article reinforced the view that large and small organizations each have something to contribute to the public good - although their capacities and tactics may differ significantly. However, the Kristof article also demonstrates the importance of adaptability and political saavy for anyone interested in providing public services, within or outside government. Framing, it seems, is relevant to organizations big and small.
Hi Molly
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting that article. I have so much respect and admiration for Nicholas Kristof. I work for the Clinton Global Initiative. Kristof was one of the speakers at the Annual Meeting.
I think that one should start a nonprofit if they feel that there is a need that is not being met by a larger organization or if they feel that they can do it better.
You proposed the question: “Does association with a known organization confer legitimacy that is unavailable to small-scale, grassroots enterprises?” I think that it all depends on the organization. How it’s run and who its donors are. I’m involved with two nonprofits, charity: water, which is a small grassroots organization and the Clinton Global Initiative, which is a branch of the Clinton Foundation. They are both very successful.
Catherine Crawford