YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
SBJ: What has the nonprofit’s growth enabled it to do?
Ethan Forhetz (vice president of public engagement and national spokesperson): It’s allowed us to do more of what we do to serve other people. Last year, we were able to respond to more disasters than we ever have in our history – 99 – in this country and around the world. Our growth has also allowed us to now be able to feed more than 639,000 children every school day around the world. If we weren’t seeing strong growth, we wouldn’t be able to grow those numbers in a sustainable way. We’re now able to work with our regular programs of children’s feeding, women’s empowerment and agriculture in 40 countries. These are places that we are there for the long term.
SBJ: What has been key to your recent growth?
Forhetz: Honestly, it’s our long-term track record of success, of doing what we say we’re going to do and really proving ourselves over 31 years now that we are there to make a difference, we’re good at it and we have the proper infrastructure, people and processes to make the biggest difference that we can. It’s a track record of trust between our donors and the organization. Our donors, whether they be individuals or churches or corporations, they know that they can trust us to do what they want us to do with what they’re donating.
SBJ: What is the best business advice your organization has received?
Forhetz: To underpromise and overdeliver. That really has been a hallmark of Convoy of Hope since the beginning 31 years ago. Our founder and President Hal Donaldson says it a lot. We want to not only deliver what we say we’re going to deliver, but we want to do it with the level of excellence that is really above and beyond what the recipient is expecting. A big part of that for Convoy of Hope is showing dignity to the people we serve.
SBJ: How do you ensure your organization stands out amid a crowded nonprofit industry?
Forhetz: By functioning with a high level of integrity and transparency. We understand as an organization that people work very hard for their money, but they also want to be generous. They want to be comfortable knowing that their generosity is working to accomplish what it is they wanted to accomplish. At Convoy of Hope, 91 cents of every dollar goes where the donor wants it to go. That is something that we work really hard to maintain.
SBJ: Is there such a thing as growing too fast?
Forhetz: Well, sure. We’ve all seen it in different companies over the years where they’ve expanded and then they have to contract. I think the key is having the proper infrastructure, really the proper foundation – a root system, if you will – so that those roots can sustain the new branches that spread out and grow over time. When an organization is in a season of growth, it’s important to keep doing checks to make sure that foundation is as solid as it once was and able to sustain the growth that’s coming as a result.
Grooms Office Environments moved, Cast Iron Print Works LLC opened and The Kennedy debuted above Bruno’s Italian Restaurant.
