Mission Fuel Teaches Nonprofits How to be Self-Sustaining
Nonprofits are traditionally known to be pillars in the community that provide solutions and resources to the issues everyday individuals face. Yet, while nonprofits are spending their time giving back to the community, they can sometimes forget to give back to themselves. They may have obtained 501c3 status but that doesn’t mean they’ve created a sustainable business model. To help solve this issue, Mission Fuel was created.
Mission Fuel is a nationwide program based in Wisconsin through Cardinal Stritch University that applies a business accelerator model to help nonprofits grow. According to Mission Fuel Founding Executive Director Mark Gesner, the goal is to move nonprofit organizations from financial dependency to self-sufficiency through earned income strategies, innovation and leadership development. This is the program’s forth cohort.
“The return on investment is powerful in both the short and long term, as leaders complete the program ready to move forward with dynamic social enterprise initiatives. They also leave with the capacity and connections to keep growing their positive social and economic impact into the future,” said Gesner.
MaryLynn Conter Strack recently stepped into the role of executive director at the Eco-Justice Center located in Racine, WI on October 1, 2020. The center is currently closed due to COVID but it still serves as a place for the community to connect with nature. Since stepping into her role, Strack has been developing a strategic plan on the future of the center. She enrolled into Mission Fuel to help with the planning.
MaryLynn Conter Strack. (Picture courtesy of MaryLynn Conter Strack)
This isn’t Strack’s first time working for a nonprofit, but she wants to ensure she’s doing all that she can to make a positive impact with her new position.
“[I want to] figure out what the community needs from us and how we can serve them [and] how we can serve each other,” she said.
One key component Strack has received from the Mission Fuel program was the discovery of the many small organizations throughout the state and the access to connect with them.
“I consider myself a constant learner,” Strack said. “I want to constantly challenge myself, so I don’t become set in my ways.”
Program participants like Strack are being trained on entrepreneurship, innovation and business development, which includes leadership coaching, mentors and consulting support specific to each organization.
As a proud product of youth programs, Mission Fuel Program Coordinator Mikal Wesley understands the importance of programs like Mission Fuel.
“Our current cohort features some of the brightest minds and leaders across the state. This is the first time our cohort has gone statewide and the first time it’s been completely in a virtual platform,” said Wesley. “I love how our leaders challenge each other to think about solutions and how they challenge us as well. I’m super encouraged by the social impact ideas that will come from the leaders in this cohort.”
Joey Zocher is another program participant of Mission Fuel’s cohort 4. She’s the executive director of TransCenter for Youth and through the program she’s learning organizational structure. As the leader of a center that teaches the youth, Zocher is thinking of creative ways to bring money to the organization, while also providing real-word experiences for her students.
In the near future, TransCenter for Youth will open up a cafe adjacent to the school in partnership with the Zilber Foundation. According to Zocher, this will create a place for community gathering, but before it reaches that point, she has to create a solid plan. Along with learning more about how to run her organization, she’s also happy to connect and learn from the other participants.
TransCenter for Youth is in the process of training their students to be baristas in their cafe. (Picture by TransCenter for Youth)
“I love that people are open about about denying money if it doesn’t fit with who you are. That really resonated with me,” said Zocher. “I feel like I need to define roles and make sure our path is clear.”
Mission Fuel was founded in 2017 and since then has impacted 65 leaders from 28 nonprofit organizations. Even with the current success of the program, leaders of Mission Fuel are looking to reach more nonprofits.
Mission Fuel Advisory Board Chair Gene Manzanet said it’s important to share the word about the program’s ability to bring access to resources and expanded networks of experts to help organizational leaders achieve their goals of long-term financial sustainability.
“The Mission Fuel team is investing their time, effort and talents to ensuring that our communities, neighborhoods, and the people they serve will continue to have critical resources,” said Manzanet. “Mission Fuel's commitment to ongoing development organizations impacts their ability to serve our communities more effectively by finding a way to be financially healthier. Healthier organizations lead to stronger neighborhoods, which improves our City's quality of life and its future.”
To apply for Mission Fuel, click here.