OVERVIEW
The 6 + 4 System, Explained
Nonprofits are changing the world. But, tax-exempt donations to the cause don’t exempt the organization from running like a regular business.
Too many mission-driven nonprofit executives spend their time thinking about programming - the work they want to do do change the world - and not enough time thinking about how to create a sustainable business. We’re here to fix that.
The 6 + 4 System incorporates ten of the most fundamental aspects of running a sustainable business - regardless of whether the business is set up as a for profit or a nonprofit.
There are “6 Segments” and “4 Foundations” to running a healthy business. The 4 Foundations are just that: foundational parts of your business that you should intentionally name. Ideally, your Foundations are relatively fixed - they represent what your nonprofit is here to do, how it stacks up against organizations doing similar work, your business culture and strategy.
The 6 Segments represent parts of your business that need ongoing attention - programmatic, administrative and operational focus areas that absolutely must be tended regularly or your business will fail. Everyone knows about your nonprofit’s phenomenal programming. But you also need Administration, Finance, Marketing and Development to function. And, being an active member of your community is important as well, whether that is your neighborhood community, your sector, or wherever thought leadership relevant to the work you do is happening.
Why is this Important?
In my three decades working with nonprofits, as a board member, volunteer, consultant, manager, or founder, I have noticed one thing: the people who choose to work in the nonprofit space are truly some of the best people in the world. They are mission driven, caring, hard-working, and focused on making the world a better place. Nonprofits are changing the world. At the same time, the vast majority of nonprofit folks are there to do the work: the direct service. The programs.
Very few are trained to do the back office work. The governance. The management. The fundraising.
Many joined the nonprofit sector because they wanted to get away from the dog-eat-dog business world. They believe that nonprofits are different - we don’t have to make a profit, so all that nasty business stuff goes away, right?
Yeah, no. A nonprofit is just a different KIND of business, structured slightly differently because of tax law, of all things. I’ve seen so many nonprofits struggle - and sometimes fail - because they weren’t run like a business.
The 6 + 4 System can change that.
6+4 is a straightforward, basic system for managing your nonprofit so that you don’t forget to do the business part while you are busy doing the change the world part.
How to make the system work for you
If you are ready to take an intentional approach to running the business (not just the mission), there are a few ways we can collaborate. And we’re super excited to do that. OUR MISSION is to give you the business tools to empower YOUR MISSION.
One size fits all? Yeah, that’s not how nonprofits work, and neither do we. We’ve set this thing up so that you can teach yourself using the online resources, learn in community by engaging with your peers, purchasing (or mimicking) our planner tools for both strategic and task management, or go old school and engage Cathy as a consultant to help you and your nonprofit business. Do what works for you - and let us know how we can support, whichever path you choose.
1. Teach yourself
Review the 6+4 concepts
Download free resources
Make a plan to manage each of the ten concept areas in your business
Follow “Insights” weekly for tips and trends
2. Join the community
Follow the “Insights” blog
Engage with us on social - ask questions and offer your ideas for others
3. Use the tools
For those who put pen to paper, use the annual planner system to incorporate 6+4 milestones and techniques into your workdays
Even if you don’t use a paper planner, learn the system and adapt it to your task management system so as not to miss key dates and important milestones
4. Hire Cathy
Shoot me an email. I’m happy to answer questions
If you want a dedicated partner to work with you one:one to adapt the 6+4 system to you and your organization, let’s talk about setting up a consulting project.
Need Help?
We can consult for your organization and help you figure out how to best use the 6+4 System to create the plan you want to change the world. Let’s set up a call and talk through what you need.
Or, visit “Tools” page for workbooks, planner systems and free, downloadable resources.