FAQs

Q. What is the difference between what Common Good Ventures does, and the services provided by nonprofit consultants?

Business consultants are typically project- or process-focused. They are generally asked to examine one part of the operations of an organization and make recommendations. Many simply consult on fund-raising. Common Good Ventures enters into long-term partnerships with nonprofits that want to take their overall performance to a higher level. Our experienced business staff works week in and week out to coach staff members on how to focus on results, how and what to measure, and how to build a culture of continuous improvement. We work at both the strategic and the tactical, implementation level. Our relationships are based on trust and a mutual concern for helping Maine people. Common Good Ventures' nonprofit partners do not pay for our services.

Q. How many nonprofit partners does Common Good Ventures have?

At any one time we work with 9-12 nonprofit partners and with affiliate partners that can benefit from a business advisor on a specific challenge. Since beginning operations in 2000, Common Good Ventures has worked with 20 Maine nonprofits to help them increase their impact, strengthen their operations and improve their efficiency.

Q. Do all of your partnerships involve the Maine Community Foundation and its program for Nonprofit effectiveness?

No. Maine Community Foundation (Maine CF) is a valuable strategic partner. Together we choose three partners to participate in the program for nonprofit effectiveness every two years. These nonprofits receive funding from Maine CF and coaching from Common Good Ventures for three years. In addition, Common Good Ventures also chooses partners outside of this program.

Q. What kinds of nonprofits can become Common Good Ventures partners?

We look for nonprofit leaders who are passionate about improving their operations, serving more Maine people and working collaboratively with other nonprofits to address the big picture challenges facing our state. Potential partner organizations must be healthy and have a strong track record of results. At the same time, management and board must have a true desire to accomplish much more and be enthusiastic about making changes in the way they "do business" in order to serve more clients, increase their results and use funding even more effectively. It is important that a potential partner understand that our work together implies change and growth.

Currently we are placing special emphasis on groups working to help Maine's youth graduate from high school and go on to succeed in the workforce or higher education and on groups contributing to the ability of Maine's adults to age safely in their homes.

Q. How does a nonprofit become a nonprofit partner?

In addition to the bi-annual RFP for the Nonprofit Effectiveness program through Maine Community Foundation, Common Good Ventures periodically considers additional partner candidates, particularly those in our current areas of interest.

Common Good Ventures conducts extensive due diligence of each organization and must determine that the commitment of our staff time, business connections and resources will lead to significantly better results relative to the organization's or network's mission. We expect potential partners to make the same assessment of Common Good Ventures. Before committing to work with us, we encourage a candidate's management and board leadership to ask "Is an investment of management time and focus in working with Common Good Ventures the best use of the organization's resources right now?"

Please see How We Select Partners for more details.

Q. How does Common Good Ventures coach the staff of nonprofits?

Common Good Ventures' team works one on one with each nonprofit. Our relationship lead is the Executive Director, and we typically end up working with all members of the management team in some capacity. Board members must also be engaged in our partnership from the outset.

Each organization has slightly different needs and our work is highly tailored with each partner, but "coaching" is the operative word. Common Good Ventures can suggest improvements to operations, finance, Human Resources, marketing, etc. We can show you how to plan and, more importantly, how to implement. But teaching an organization how to work better on its own using tried and true business principles is the core of our work.

Q. If I start a new nonprofit and need help would I contact Common Good Ventures?

Common Good Ventures does not partner with start-ups. We respect the entrepreneurial spirit and passion of all nonprofit leaders; however we feel our expertise and skills are best applied to those organizations that have established a presence, a base of support and a track record for getting things done so that they are ready to focus on longer term performance.

Q. How can I use my business experience to help?

Part of Common Good Ventures' success is showing skilled business people how they can use their experience to help nonprofits with specific challenges. Through our Business Advisor program Common Good Ventures connects experienced business people with nonprofits in need of specific guidance and advice. Our Springboard program provides another "one shot" opportunity for business professionals to offer their skills in a focused, productive and energizing forum.

Q. Why has Common Good Ventures elected to be a nonprofit itself?

Common Good Ventures appreciates the opportunity and flexibility to work with promising nonprofits having needs that align with our business expertise and experience. Because we have no profit-motive we are able to build trust and an ongoing relationship with each of our nonprofit partners, rather than create a less-balanced client-consultant relationship based on billable projects and hours.

Q. How are you funded?

We are funded through the generosity of investment-minded individuals, foundations seeking to purse greater nonprofit effectiveness and companies seeking to leverage their community investments with a focus on overall effectiveness.

Q. What is an operating network?

Operating networks are made up of people and organizations who agree to work together toward a solution to a common problem. Largely decentralized, the success of a network depends upon its degree of connectedness. Individuals and organizations in the public, private and nonprofit arenas contribute their expertise and resources to bring about needed change in meeting community needs. A fairly new concept in the US and other developed countries with strong governmental and civic agencies, networks have demonstrated success in developing countries precisely because of a lack of infrastructure.