Where will we find the human beings to do those things that only human beings can do - specifically, to lead, manage, and staff a growing nonprofit sector historically long on idealism and short on capacity?
As a new report from Thomas J. Tierney at the Bridgespan Group - "The Nonprofit Sector's Leadership Deficit" - drives home, there is nothing abstract or philosophical about this question. It is rapidly becoming an urgent plea, as the experience gap in the social sector widens into a chasm.
Bridgespan's extensive new study finds that nonprofits with revenues greater than $250,000 will need to attract and develop some 640,000 new senior managers over the next decade - the equivalent of 2.4 times the number currently employed.
Tinkering will not do. The human resource needs opening up at all levels of the nonprofit world are simply too large and too near. While the answer won't ultimately be simple or singular, there is one place we need to concentrate our quest for talent: the vast population of aging boomers now moving into their 50s and 60s.
Bringing boomers searching for meaning to nonprofits looking for leaders is logical and necessary, but it won't be easy. It will demand breathtaking innovation - not only through rewriting the career trajectory and helping experienced professionals bridge into the nonprofit sector, but also through creating the infrastructure for large numbers of nonprofit leaders to sign up for another, albeit renegotiated, tour of duty.
Will we meet this challenge? It is a tall order to be sure - but not too tall. After all, the history of aging in America is one of spectacular innovation and change. Fifty years ago we didn't even have retirement communities or senior centers. And that's not the only source of inspiration. At the middle of the last century we invented the GI Bill to help millions of Americans navigate their way back to useful roles in civilian life. We'll need to think at that scale once again.
Marc Freedman
President, Civic Ventures
mfreedman@civicventures.org
More than 1,200 people were nominated for The Purpose Prize, a major new Civic Ventures initiative to invest in social innovators over 60 who are taking bold steps to help solve some of society's biggest problems. Five winners, each of whom will receive $100,000, will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges and named at a summit this fall. Early analysis of the pool of nominees shows:
- representation from all 50 states;
- an average age of 69, with three-quarters of nominees under 72;
- a high level of innovation – half of the nominees have founded an organization, invented a solution to a social problem, or are transforming their field;
- large percentages focused on solving education issues (28 percent) and providing services for older adults (23 percent); and
- an impressive pool of nominators, including former cabinet secretaries, presidential advisers, corporation presidents, and nonprofit executives.
P.S. NCOA also gave Civic Ventures President Marc Freedman the Jack Ossofsky Award for his leadership in the field. For details >> Civic Ventures' newest senior fellow is Tom Munnecke, a veteran software designer, network agitator and creative thinker. Tom will help Civic Ventures design an on- and offline "innovation network," linking people and organizations working to realize the "experience dividend." Tom spent most of his 30-year software career as one of the lead architects for two large hospital information systems. The technology boom of the 1990s provided financing for Tom's second act, which he has spent looking for system-changing approaches. He says he organizes these efforts around the question, "What is the simplest thing that I can do to create maximum benefit for humanity?" His ongoing set of experiments includes GivingSpace and the Uplift Academy. Read more on his blog >>
- "Don't Call Them Old. Call Them..." PARADE magazine, March 19. Results of a reader poll to come up with new language to replace "senior citizen," "old," and "elderly." How about "geri-active"?
- "We're living longer -- is that a good thing?" San Francisco Chronicle, March 6. Great quote from American Society on Aging's Paul Kleymann: "News of society's death due to the aging population is greatly exaggerated."
- Age of Innovation blog. Check regularly for insightful commentary from Civic Ventures' own David Bank on topics from new directions for volunteer service to the need for "a new social compact to replace the all-but-defunct traditional retirement deal."
- "Not Quite Ready to Retire," TIME magazine, February 27. An analysis of the role of "bridge jobs" in easing older adults out of the workforce...or keeping them in it longer.
- The Case Foundation's web site. Content highlights "the people and initiatives that are bringing sustainable solutions to complex social problems."
- What's Next, a new web site and soon-to-appear magazine geared to boomer men "whose priorities are shifting from a traditional career to more fulfilling work."
- "Baby Boomers Demand Constant Activity in Arizona Retirement" – Morning Edition, National Public Radio, Mar. 15, 2006
- "New Breed of Entrepreneurs" – Marketplace, National Public Radio, Mar. 11, 2006
- "Grandparents Helping in the Classroom" – Christian Science Monitor, editorial, Mar. 9, 2006. Citing demographics, plus Experience Corps's effectiveness and ability to meet the needs of both students and older adults, Monitor editors say "the potential for such a well-executed program is huge. Policymakers take note."
- "Aging at Home: For a Lucky Few, a Wish Come True" – The New York Times, Feb. 29, 2006
- "Boomers! Redefining Life After Fifty" – A special episode on leaving a legacy includes an interview with Marc Freedman on aging boomers and Experience Corps (clip viewable online)
IN THIS ISSUE
- 1,200 Applications for
The Purpose Prize - Good Prognosis
- Retired Workers
Back on the Job - Experience Corps
Wins Big Award - New Senior Fellow
- Reading List
- Civic Ventures
In the News
Working for Good
Carol Harris-Mannes After more than 40 years of success in the entertainment industry, Carol Harris-Mannes left the stage and behind-the-scenes production work to finish her undergraduate degree and earn a master's in social work. Now she works full time as a social worker with The Actors' Fund of America in New York City.
More on Carol Harris-Mannes >
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Learn more about how America is realizing the experience dividend Get the facts Read more stories |
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