Innovative non profits ! Why not?

Innovation is something found in for profit sector. More risks, more innovations, more returns.

Non profits in the other hand, are more careful.

Seth Godin did a wonderful post on  'Non profits have a charter to be innovators.' He reasons from non profit point of view, as to why non profits do not innovate as they should be.  

One reason: "We're doing important work. Our funders count on us to be reasonable and cautious and proven, because the work we're doing is too important to risk failure."

One alternative: "We're doing important work. Our funders count on us to be daring and bold and brave, because the work we're doing is too important to play it safe."

The thing about most cause/welfare non-profits is that they haven't figured out how to solve the problem they're working on (yet). Yes, they often offer effective aid, or a palliative. But no, too many don't have a method for getting at the root cause of the problem and creating permanent change. That's because it's hard (incredibly hard) to solve these problems.

My life as a social entrepreneur throws me challenges of both the reason and the alternative.

Seth's full post here.

Pic credit : Doug Ross