NonProfits Group

NonProfits Community Breakfast Comments, December 8, 2005

What trends will affect the way you do business in 5 years?

Political	Government funding for social programming, capital projects, and essential services is dwindling Growing public dislike for more taxes Increased reporting required for government grant awards approaching the point of being onerous Changing political scene imports capital outlay & operation National recognition is directly linked to national trends/support Current politcal atmosphere does not support environmental issues Growth in development requires grassroots leaders who are willing to protect our natural resources Increasing scrutiny/regulation of non-profit sector by IRS/Congress; need for greater accountability, assessment/governance Increased government regulation requires additional professional and volunteer training which are expensive and time consuming Education requirements from State regarding health care has increased, so cost for education has gone up as well as the time needed to complete courses Possible tightening of local government budgets State legislative decisions regarding farming regulations, water withdrawals and land use Declining federal support creates need to diversify funding Budget cuts in health and human services at state and federal level creates more demand for community resources Less government funding means more competition for nonprofit dollars
Economic	Funding historically has been flat for 5-6 year periods Very difficult to recruit health care providers for a seasonal clinic Creative ways to improve fund raising programs Museums must adhere to changing methods of collecting and preserving thatmake it especially challenging for public access and enjoyment The task of keeping 60/80 volunteers is very challenging as well as creative funding to assure our future in the community There are less tax dollars to support homeless, but a growing number of people finding themselves without a home due to economy and high cost of housing Educating those at 50-80% of medium income to be able to obtain and keep good moderate paying jobs Need for jobs in light industry and manufacturing Need for housing for mid-income families as opposed to large expensive homes Higher costs to families/households (energy costs, etc.) Growing number of NPOs in our area competing for both finances and volunteers Dwindling finances of agencies able to assist in programming for persons with disabilities after they age-out of school services Economic forecasts and politics greatly affect our organization, which helps employ individuals with disabilities GLNI is a step in the right direction. Their guidance to area non-profits will be welcomed and the initial support they'll be providing, to assist Boards to be more effective, is so necessary. Funds are available to build trails, but not maintain them Lack of job opportunities for people with disabilities Finding qualified, good hearted staff Needing to generate more funds for extra staffing to provide additional services Rising costs in heath care (prescriptions) Increased liability risks for volunteers Decreases in volunteerism As programs/grants/donors decrease, our ability to reach more does as well. Lack of space for conducting business meetings, etc Transportation issues--high cost of gas, lack of good regional public transportation Depressed economy, coupled with tax law changes, results in decreased charitable giving Increased natural disasters requiring more giving to help assist victims Continuing decline in arts funding Transitions in buying patterns: decline in subscriptions; increase in individual especially on-line purchases Increasing energy prices demand transportation planning and new ways of looking at how we move people Donor fatigue; process fatigue. Shrinking income; rising expenses for: families, institutions, government, businesses Widening gap in incomes Re-localizing of the economy Human resources are more stretched Memberships are on a downward trend Move planned giving Operational dollars are tough to get Lack of trained workforce in paramedic fields Volunteers' time constraints results in need to use training resources as effectively as possible Attracting and retaining good employees Decrease in safety net funding placing more stress on non-profit human service agencies. Always--do more with less Forecast: five year increase in individuals with war service accessing educational benefits Also seeing increased numbers of disabled (wounded) individuals accessing VA's special rehab programs
Environmental	Increased pressure to use land for development--both housing and recreation Environmental issues affects everyone Transportation - need walkable paths and public transportation Development--need natural areas Connecting choices we make to their impact on nature; need to reconnect with our natural environment to appreciate and protect it Emergence from negative factors to robust economic growth--how do we facilitate and sustain Increase of locally produced energy Regions perception of horticultural impact on the environment has the potential to be positive and/or negative
Social	Energy, health and environmental trends will be affecting our mode of travel - more walking, biking, and transit; more choice Public transportation (driving issues for seniors who shouldn't be driving) Need more variety of activities offered; the community continues to provide outlets to kids/athletes Aging/retiring population and desire for them to learn how to stay connected with community through volunteerism Continued growth in educational opportunities K-12+ - expansion of Trav. Childrens Theatre's Ed. Focus to include adults Increasing regional cooperation
Cultural	Area still seems to be relatively unresponsive to cultural needs/language needs of non-Anglos Illiteracy rate continues to be a problem Continuing need for cultural activities Competition of "not for profits" for working board members More interest in preserving our rich heritage and history of our area Growth in age of members, their education and involvement Growing number of people who need services Increased diversity in TC Aging population--we serve adults with developmental disabilities--health services and housing must develop according to the new needs Growth within the playhouse necessitating re-evaluation and possible repurposing of governance More local music Need for access to constituencies Diversity of opinion/choices Speed of change/lack of loyalty Increase in aging population means increase need in healthcare, transportation, housing, long-term care
Technology	Need to increase technology--i.e. will need to have electronic medical record system in place in 3-5 years Increasing need for technological knowledge on part of staff/professionals Increased use of computers for long distance learning and information Rapidly changing technology, continual need for system changes Growth of technology use--by user of services--i.e. more web.wireless access to info and more interactive communication In order for the horticultural industry to be in competition in the world economy, we need to be leading in technology Communication overload makes it difficult to publicize organization's agenda Increase in citizen-based media blogs, low power radio, public access cable
Health	Health care costs and demand increasing. Changing health and health needs of aging population. Increase need for suitable health care providers High-tech health care for those with insurance

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