This is a good article about SeaChange, a new nonprofit started by Acumen Partner Chuck Harris, who is focused on bringing Wall Street methods to helping nonprofits raise capital. It is an important endeavor, as the revenue-raising side of the nonprofit world needs innovation and, even more to the point, transformation in order to create change more effectively.
The article comments on expanding a non-profit organization to grow existing programs. SeaChange looks set to meet a huge market need: mezzanine-level funding for non-profits. My foundation colleagues are all going to get a copy of this article. Even our target grantees (think tanks and policy wonks) like to strike out, get entrepreneurial, and put policy research to use in the field. (www.effectivestates.org for one example) They need exactly this kind of help to grow, money to make sure the organization grows smart. Yes, even funding for middle managers who are not directly tied to a program. Then they are free to chase down the best opportunities and put their ideas to use in the best ways.
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