The Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence is an orchestrated network that brings Nonprofits, Funders and Recognized Experts together for the greatest impact. With scores of weekly encounters with nonprofit leaders from all corners of the community, obvious trends have emerged.

1. 10 NONPROFIT TRENDS
SHAPING 2020
B Y C O - F O U N D E R S B O B L I P P S , A T T O R N E Y A N D C P A , A N D M A R C S T E I N , M B A
O F T H E G L O B A L C E N T E R F O R N O N P R O F I T E X C E L L E N C E

2. TRENDSPOTTING
The Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence is
an orchestrated network that brings Nonprofits,
Funders and Recognized Experts together for
the greatest impact. With scores of weekly
encounters with nonprofit leaders from all
corners of the community, obvious trends have
emerged.

3. #1. DONATION SLIDE CONTINUES
The trend-line for donations and number of individual
donors will continue downward. This is playing out in
fewer new donors, smaller average gift size and
decreasing frequency of giving.

4. #2. NONPROFITS DIVERSIFY
REVENUE STREAMS
Nonprofits need new sources of income to replace
thinning donations. Nonprofits are exploring everything
from monetizing their intellectual property to
accepting Bitcoin. Nonprofits are now selling their
products and services as well as opening new ventures.

5. #3. MERGERS AND
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Mergers are being used strategically by nonprofits
to either survive or increase impact or both. In a
recent study, 88% of post-merger organizations
believed they were better off than prior to the
merge. It's all about mission and match.

6. #4. OUTSOURCING OF ALL
NON-CRITICAL FUNCTIONS
Nonprofits are implementing creative belt tightening
in all six areas of nonprofit operations. From
Fractional CFOs to PEOs to contracted marketing
departments, managers will be looking for cost
cutting across the board.

7. #5. BOARD MAKEOVERS
Nonprofits are looking for new board members but
actually, they are looking for a different kind of new
board member... a smarter, specialized and more
diverse version. Board members are being asked to
step up or step out.

8. #6. CORPORATE
PHILANTHROPY EXPANDS
Not long along, only a few enlightened businesses
actively promoted social issues as part of their
marketing and branding. Today, corporate
philanthropy and corporate social responsibility are
integral parts of most every serious business plan.

9. #7. ACCOUNTABILITY AND
TRANSPARENCY REDEFINED
Nonprofits are being pressed for greater
accountability and transparency from all sides. For
example, larger funders and Millennials are both
pushing nonprofits beyond 990s, Audited Financial
Statements, and Impact or Annual Reports before
making funding decisions.

10. #8. LARGE NONPROFITS
GET LARGER
As Millionaire DAFs and Billionaire foundations
continue to grow, their donations will continue to
disproportionately go to larger, more established
nonprofits. It’s about capacity, capability and being
able to use the funds effectively.

11. #9. BEST PRACTICES BECOME
VALIDATION STANDARD
Nonprofits, Funders and Industry Experts are
independently finding that measuring competence
against Best Practices or prescribed industry
standards takes all the guesswork out. Smart tools,
like OpX360®, measures operational effectiveness
against Best Practices.
www.OpX360.com

12. #10. TECHNOLOGY ADVANCES
Funders and Industry Experts are dragging Nonprofits
into the 21st Century. From A.I. to fundraising apps to
SaaS, Nonprofits are leveraging technology to
increase revenues and decrease expenses.

13. T H E G L O B A L C E N T E R F O R
N O N P R O F I T E X C E L L E N C E
For more thought leadership on nonprofit Best
Practices, measurement and how to achieve
operational excellence, please visit The Global
Center for Nonprofit Excellence® where
Nonprofits, Funders and Recognized Experts
work together for the greatest impact. We
make nonprofits better. We can help yours.
www.theglobalcenter.net

14. B O B L I P P S , A T T O R N E Y A N D C P A
Bob Lipps is Co-Founder and Principal Advisor at The
Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence® and Co-Inventor
of OpX360®. Bob serves on the boards of CCM and SIM.
His previous roles include Managing Partner of Ten Talents
Partners, Executive Director and Practice Leader of
Lockton Insurance Brokers, Chairman of Stewardship
Insurance Ltd., and General Counsel, CFO and Board
Member for Wycliffe Bible Translators. Bob holds degrees
from Arizona State University and Texas A&M University
School of Law and is a member of the TX and FL Bars and
the TX State Board of Public Accountancy.
M A R C S T E I N , M B A
Marc Stein is Co-Founder and Principal Advisor at The
Global Center for Nonprofit Excellence® and Co-Inventor
of OpX360®. His previous roles include Vice President
and Executive Team Member of Joni and Friends
International Disability Ministry, President of Gospel Light
Worldwide, and National Director of the International
Bible League and various other roles within the
professional services arena. Marc holds degrees from
California Coast University and is the author of Referral
Rainmaking, How to Build Your Business Through
Professional and Client Referrals. He currently serves
on two boards.

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