January 2009
Challenging Times
Welcome to 2009 – a time of real opportunity, especially if you’re working within a nonprofit or agency. Today’s challenging economic climate could easily be viewed with concern or even despair, but I believe tough times like these can bring out the best in us and in our organizations.
Remember Spirit and Opportunity, the Mars Rovers? They celebrated their fifth anniversary on Mars recently. These little robotic machines were designed to remain functional for just 90 days on the surface of Mars, and here they are still sending us incredibly valuable information five years later. Who would have thought??!!
An interesting fact about Spirit and Opportunity is that they were developed in response to a funding cut at NASA. NASA goal was to send a manned flight to Mars, but the budget wasn’t there. The NASA scientists designed the MARS rovers as a low-budget alternative to their #1 choice.
The lesson here? These challenging financial times in our organizations offer us an opportunity to throw out our old expectations and look at our organizations in a whole new way. Are there ways to accomplish our mission in a smarter, more economical way? The answers you uncover may lead you to ways to deliver your services and meet your clients’ needs even better than in the past!
In 2009, The Funding Exchange will continue to develop new and better products and services to help you do your good work. Watch our newsletters and website for new opportunities and ideas. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you have suggestions for ways we can improve our service to you this year. Happy New Year!
Sharon Gherman, President
