The Six Pillars of Strong Nonprofits

Want a Stronger Nonprofit?

Start Here

Ever sit down to “work on strategy” and feel completely stuck? You carve out the time. Open the document. Stare at the screen. The questions start to swirl: What’s realistic? Where should we focus? How do we build toward something solid without burning ourselves out?

That’s where the Six Pillars come in. They offer a simple, grounded way to assess what’s working, what’s missing, and what needs your focus next.

Why this matters right now

According to the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s 2025 State of Nonprofits report, many organizations are facing pressure to make difficult tradeoffs. Rising costs aren’t being met with rising revenue. Leaders are considering options like dipping into reserves, reducing staff, or scaling back services just to stay afloat.

That tracks with what I’m seeing. Teams are doing their best – often in the midst of funding cuts and as of this blog the longest government shutdown in U.S. history – but there’s often no shared way to assess what matters most.

A better way to focus your energy

When I work with clients, we use something I call the Six Pillars of Strong Nonprofits. It’s not a checklist, but a lens. It helps you sort out priorities, focus your fundraising, and make decisions that actually reflect your mission and your capacity.

The Six Pillars of Strong Nonprofits

Clear Mission & Vision

Can your team and board explain what you do, who you serve, and why it matters – in one or two sentences?

Diverse & Reliable Revenue

Are you funding your work in a way that gives you flexibility? Or are you constantly racing to plug holes?

Effective Leadership & Governance

Are the people guiding your organization aligned, informed, and helping you move forward?

Strong Programs & Demonstrable Impact

Do your programs do what they’re meant to do? Can you tell that story clearly and honestly?

Engaged Staff & Volunteers

Are the folks powering your work supported, heard, and set up for success?

Strategic Partnerships & Community Relationships

Who has your back? Who do you show up for? Are your relationships helping your mission grow?

A real-life shift that started with the pillars

I worked with a small nonprofit that was trying to get unstuck. Their director was driving everything even with a full board. Fundraising had lost momentum. Their strategy needed a fresh look.

We used the Six Pillars to organize the conversation. That lens helped them see what was still aligned and what wasn’t. It helped clarify what to pause and where to reinvest their time and energy - in their case it was training their fundraising team on high-return tactics to reach out to current and future donors.

Why this approach works

When your decisions are grounded in these six areas, you can:
1. Cut through the noise
2. Spot gaps without spiraling
3. Meet uncertainty with opportunity
4. Match fundraising to real needs
5. Grow at a pace your team can handle

What to do with this

You don’t need a giant plan to move forward. Start with this:
Pick one pillar that feels strong. Pick one that feels off. That’s where you begin.

Want help applying this to your own team?

I offer focused strategy sprints and deeper project-based work that use this exact framework. Together, we’ll take stock, clarify your path, and build something that actually fits your reality.

📅 Book a free 30-minute consult