# The Non Nonprofit: For-Profit Thinking for Nonprofit Success

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/books/non-nonprofit-profit-thinking-nonprofit-success/
- Published: 2012-01-30T17:26:00+00:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**A top business leader shares the business principles he used to launch both a 
top company and a thriving nonprofit**

Nonprofit leaders know that solving pervasive social problems requires passion and
creativity as well as tangible results. _The Non Nonprofit_ shares the same business
principles that drive the world’s best companies, showing how they can (and should)
be applied to the realm of nonprofits. Steve Rothschild personally crossed sectors
when he left corporate America to found Twin Cities RISE!, a highly successful poverty
reduction programme.

His honest story, and success and missteps, create an essential roadmap for any 
social venture looking to prove and boost its impact.

 * Distills essential nonprofit principles such as having a clear and appropriate
   purpose, creating economic value from social benefit, and establishing mutual
   accountability
 * Shares successful approaches from innovative organizations such as Grameen Bank,
   Playworks, Common Ground, Habitat for Humanity, Lumni, Caring Bridge, College
   Summit and RISE!
 * Draws from the author’s success in founding and building Twin Cities RISE!, which
   trains unemployed Minnesotans for living wage jobs. RISE! serves 1,500 participants
   each year

Rothschild clearly details seven key principles:

1. Have a Clear and Appropriate Purpose
2. Measure What Counts3. Be Market Driven4.
Create Mutual Accountability5. Support Personal Empowerment6. Create Economic Value
from Social Benefit7. Be Learning Driven

By adopting these principles and understanding how they are integral to creating
long-term success, anyone can create a financially sustainable, socially responsible
organisation.

As insightful as it is inspiring, _The Non Nonprofit_ can help maximise the positive
impact of any nonprofit.

## Reviews

“The lessons of _The Non Nonprofit_ can improve the results of any nonprofit organization.
It provides sound guidance to donors, agencies, and policy makers. This is the kind
of thinking I encourage United Way leaders to apply while measuring community need
and community impact.”
**Brian Gallagher**, president and CEO, United Way Worldwide

“We need more practical visionaries like Steve Rothschild. He saw the problem of
poverty, rolled up his sleeves, and carefully tested what works and what doesn’t.
The result: a powerful and effective program for reducing poverty and a set of clear
principles that can be readily applied anywhere. _The Non Nonprofit_ is a ground-
breaking book.”
**Amy Klobuchar**, U.S. Senator, Minnesota

“For all of our many achievements, America remains a nation yet suffering from widespread
poverty. Steve Rothschild’s _The Non Nonprofit_ reflects what he has learned from
nearly seventeen years as the committed and inspired founder of Twin Cities RISE!
These are proven ideas, practical and available to businesses and public leaders
in our communities. I am pleased to recommend this fresh and creative approach to
creating more opportunity for those in our midst who need it the most.”
**Walter
Mondale**, 42nd Vice President of the United States