NPQ - Current Issue - The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money

NPQ - Current Issue - The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money: "The Looking-Glass World of Nonprofit Money: Managing in For-Profits� Shadow Universe
by Clara Miller
Editors� Note: A couple of years ago we attended a presentation given by Clara Miller to a group of foundation representatives. Her talk, presented in the form of a true/false test, challenged attendees to look at the rules of money and finance that governed the nonprofit sector in comparison to those in the for-profit sector. It was a funny and, at times, painful look at the strange world of nonprofit finance and the contortions that tie nonprofits up in knots that no one from the private sector would recognize. We found Clara�s presentation compelling and are happy to bring you the next best thing to Clara herself: an article based on the presentation. Take the test below �but be careful, it is more difficult than it seems. Then, read for yourself how our shadow universe compares to the rational and time-honored ways of the for-profit sector.