Match opportunity to jumpstart Margin & Mission Ignition entrepreneurial plans

ngoThe Patterson Foundation will support the six nonprofits engaged in the Margin & Mission Ignition initiative by matching investments made toward the startup costs of each organization’s earned-income plan. Funds contributed to the organizations will be matched dollar for dollar up to 50 percent of the startup budgets for the plans, jumpstarting each organization’s ability to implement the plans and expand their capacity to serve the community.

Economic thrivability is paramount for any for-profit venture, but it is equally important for nonprofits as well. Our region is full of organizations devoted to driving change within the community – change that could be amplified with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively value certain aspects of their services and offerings.

Understanding the power of earned-income solutions to fuel this change, The Patterson Foundation created Margin & Mission Ignition to help nonprofits in our region explore, develop and implement strategies that increase entrepreneurial capacity. Each organization participating in the 18-month process is receiving extensive guidance from No Margin, No Mission™, a social enterprise and national consulting firm engaged by The Patterson Foundation. Once the match is applied, The Patterson Foundation will have invested nearly $500,000 in the Margin & Mission Ignition initiative since its inception.

“Even the most compelling nonprofit missions require planning for financial thrivability,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “These organizations have earned The Patterson Foundation’s investment by demonstrating the leadership, willingness, readiness, capacity and culture necessary to undertake this journey toward greater entrepreneurial capacity. We are proud to facilitate their continued transformation.”

Details of the match were announced during a fast-pitch-style event held yesterday, where the participating organizations presented earned-income plans before potential mission-impact investors.

The Patterson Foundation will match up to 50 percent of contributions toward the original startup cost budget. If organizations raise the full amount of funds for startup costs, they can use The Patterson Foundation’s match funds for unrestricted purposes.

In addition to the match, The Patterson Foundation will assist the organizations with continued consulting and technical assistance from No Margin, No Mission™ as they implement the plans in 2016 – ensuring that the lessons learned throughout the initiative are embedded for long-term, sustainable impact.

The following organizations are seeking investors for their Margin & Mission Ignition earned-income plans:

• Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity
• Friends of Sarasota County Parks
• Legal Aid of Manasota
• Lighthouse of Manasota
• Pines of Sarasota
• The Friendship Centers

Follow Margin & Mission Ignition by visiting www.thepattersonfoundation.org or join the conversation using #TPFMarginMission on social media.

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