Nonprofits Must Innovate or Die

What’s good for business is even better for nonprofits

I’m overjoyed to introduce the premiere issue of ENBIZ Magazine, a philanthropic business magazine. Now I know what you’re thinking; what in the world is a (philanthropic business magazine)? First, it’s an innovative concept, not the magazine itself, but of its single-minded purpose and use. Second, it’s just great business. This custom publication will give a nonprofit organization and it’s supporters the opportunity to create awareness for work that’s having an impact in our communities; but more importantly, it makes a clarion call to advocates, champions, enthusiasts, corporate funders and individual donors to pour financial and volunteer resources into the nonprofits we love – and in this case, the EDGE. For over 20 years the EDGE has facilitated the launch and growth of solo, micro, and businesses with less than $1M in revenue. It only makes sense for them to find innovative ways to remain viable and sustainable in these uncertain funding times. They owe it to you and their constituents. So with these four pillars intact: Business, Health, Wealth and Leadership, the EDGE sets the themes for future issues.

The EDGE believes there is power in transparency and authenticity in business dealings.

What I know for sure, from my work as a nonprofit consultant, marketer and resource development professional of more than 20 years, is that oftentimes many smaller nonprofit organizations are challenged with sustaining funds to operate at its most basic requirements. It is imperative that organizations like the EDGE find unique ways to fund their business – that’s right, I said BUSINESS. From my perspective, traditional ways of resource development like golf tournaments, galas and government grants (not a bad thing if these are working for your organization) to name a few, are becoming more restrictive, excessive or need I say, obsolete.

So here are 4 things we dare to accomplish with ENBIZ Magazine: 1. Raise awareness and MONEY for programs that support the crazy, meaningful and data-backed microenterprise development (businesses less than $1M) work that the EDGE has successfully maintained in Georgia for 20+ years, despite everything – I’ll leave it at that. 2. Represent the EDGE clients in their most critical (business, health, wealth, leadership) stages in business. The EDGE believes there is power in transparency and authenticity in business dealings. So we are going to open it up! 3. Attract successful small/mid-sized companies to the work of the EDGE because they too need opportunities to establish their social responsibility with community organizations. By supporting financially and in-kind, volunteering in various capacities – there is no shortage of the support the EDGE can accommodate today. 4. Give sponsors and advertisers of this quarterly publication the space to shine the light on their company’s work and also the great work that aligns with the mission and vision of the EDGE, like our “Volunteers Mean Business” Network. Read about some of our volunteers in this issue. You’ll hear from Rachel Davis, CEO of the EDGE about her path to greater work and how she has reimagined the work they will undertake in the years to come. Listen to her heart about the importance of the individual entrepreneur’s mindset, skillset, and level-set for success. ENBIZ Magazine was created as a for-profit project to raise program funds for the EDGE. That’s it!

You’ll hear more from me about how this project is having an impact on the future of EDGE programs in future issues – the next issue focuses on the (Health of an entrepreneur, mental, physical and spiritual) will break in July 2020. Oh, we are going deep. Make sure you connect with us quickly and purchase your ads in advance, we are already in full swing for the summer issue!

I’m not at a loss for words, by any means, when it comes to championing and asking for resources for the things I’m passionate about. I’ll put my resources and my vitality on the EDGE any day. I hope you feel the energy of this premiere issue with our focus on MINDSET. We’ve been intentional about the contents with you in mind. We hope that this issue gives you a high-level view of what to expect and we anticipate that we have your support in the future.

To Your Good Work, Monique LaRue Publisher, ENBIZ Magazine