SPRING 2015 7
Imagine the agency’s peace of mind knowing that their SE covers up to 50% of the agency's costs.
Furthermore as an outcome of the SE, the agency’s leadership is assured that a significant fraction of its financial base is revenue stable and less vulnerable compared to fund raising and individual contributions.
Increased financial stability result in higher sustainability rates; hence the agency with a SE has a greater possibility of ensuring that its work against hunger will have continuance and growth. And at the same time agency’s with SEs are better able to ride out an economic downturn like the recent Great Recession.
The greater revenue diversity of a SE allows the agency to have a higher chance of surviving the financial challenges of a large drop in charitable donations, grants and or government funding. It works to the advantage of the non-profit thrift store to promote the success of the thrift store and its relationship to the non-profit. Many NTFB agencies with SEs do a good job advertising their thrift store and its tie to their food pantry. Look for examples below and on page 9.
NTFB is fortunate to have an incredible talent of agencies making a significant difference in fighting hunger.
Social Enterprises may not be a great fit for all agencies, but for those agency partners who have chosen greater revenue diversification, SEs has a growing role in their business model and their sustainability. And for those agencies without a SE we encourage you to research the subject, speak to fellow agencies with SEs and feel free to contact PAR for more information.
Social Enterprise (cont.)
“Our goods are at 'thrift' prices, all store proceeds go directly to support the Cedar Hill Food Pantry.”