The Sustainability Mindset: Using the Matrix Map to Make Strategic Decisions

THE MATRIX MAP—A NONPROFIT'S POWERFUL TOOL FOR STRATEGIC DECISION-MAKING " The Sustainability Mindset goes beyond theory to provide practical, rigorous tools to help leaders understand their organization's financial picture and the relationship between finances and impact, and to chart a path to financial sustainability and better program results. Every nonprofit CEO (especially those grappling with challenging finances) should read this before starting their next budgeting or strategic planning process." —Rick Moyers, vice president, Programs and Communications, Meyer Foundation "This is a must-read about the sustainability sweet spot toward which all nonprofits are on a pilgrimage. There are very few general management 'tools' that I have much faith in, but the matrix map is so simple that it is profound, and it will produce uniquely for each organization. Bell and Zimmerman provide a grounded, useful guide with lots of vivid examples." —Ruth McCambridge, editor-in-chief, The Nonprofit Quarterly " The Sustainability Mindset is extremely practical and useful. The templates and guides for calculating impact, creating revenue strategies, and determining profitability are necessities for organizations. Every nonprofit leader should own this book!" —Heather Carpenter, PhD, assistant professor, School of Public, Nonprofit, and Health Administration, Grand Valley State University "I've used the concepts and tools in this book in several organizations, as CEO and as a board member. The matrix map offers leaders a way to clearly understand the strategic imperatives before the organization. Most importantly, this approach does so with such clarity that many key directions become obvious and decisions are harder to avoid. In short, the organization moves forward." —Dan Magnuson, CEO, Lad Lake " The Sustainability Mindset offers that rare combination of strategic insight and practical guidance that leaders crave. I especially appreciate the authors' ability to address complex nonprofit challenges and still provide clear, applicable tools that organizations of any size or type will find useful. The templates and case studies are a welcome bonus." —Kate Barr, executive director, Nonprofits Assistance Fund " The Sustainability Mindset serves as a positive and thought-provoking catalyst for dynamic change in our organizational thinking and processes. Board and staff now have a determined focus toward deeper impact and increased sustainability!" —Angela Moellering, CEO, Lutheran Social Services of Indiana

1 Introduction 2 The Matrix Map 3 Getting Started: The Introductory Meeting 4 Articulating Impact 5 Assessing Mission Impact 6 Determining Profitability 7 Putting It All Together 8 Reading the Matrix Map: Developing the Key Messages 9 Program–Level Strategic Inquiry 10 Case Studies 11 The Sustainability Mindset Notes The Authors Index