In the nonprofit landscape, ethnic community-based organizations (ECBOs) play a unique role: they serve as hubs of information and cultural orientation for newcomer communities, provide direct services addressing specific needs, and foster a sense of belonging and resilience within their communities. Like other nonprofits, to be successful and sustainable, ECBOs must develop and carry out effective practices in three core areas of nonprofit management: strategic planning, robust networking and partnerships, and effective fundraising. As ECBOs navigate the various stages of the organizational lifecycle—from inception and growth to maturity and renewal—it is important that they understand what is needed in each of these core areas. Using the model the Five Life Stages of Nonprofit Organizations, created by Judith Sharken Simon, this guide highlights actions an ECBO can take related to strategic planning, networking, partnership, and fundraising at each stage of the organizational life cycle. The pace of navigating these stages varies from organization to organization; ongoing monitoring and evaluation of your planning, networking, and fundraising efforts is key for organizational sustainability across the stages. This resource, created by Switchboard, serves as a guide for ECBOs navigating these stages.
