Launching a new nonprofit is ridiculously exciting (and scary, and exhausting, and fun). There’s a sense of urgency, a passion to affect change, and a desire to have an immediate impact. But too often, well-meaning organizations expend too quickly, take on too much, and struggle to meet demands. That’s why we are taking a different approach. The Ability Collective is launching with intention and sustainability in mind.
The Common Pitfall: Growing Too Fast, Too Soon
Many organizations, especially those motivated to meet immediate needs in their communities, face the challenge of overcommitting early on. It’s easy to want to say yes to every need and every opportunity. But without the right resources in place, growth can outpace sustainability, leading to:
- Burnout: when a team is stretched too thin, quality suffers, and people can’t give their best. Not to mention, we want to take really great care of our people.
- Financial Strain: Expanding too fast without stable funding can put an organization at risk.
- Inconsistent Services: A program that launches without a strong foundation may not be able to continue long-term.
We don’t want to build something that isn’t made to last. We want to build something that endures.
Building a Strong Foundation
We are building with careful planning, intention, and a solid foundation. Before introducing any new service or program, we want to ask ourselves three key questions:
- Is there a clear and demonstrated need for this service in the disability community?
- Do we have the funding, partnerships, and infrastructure to sustain it?
- Does our team have the capacity to deliver this with quality and consistency?
If the answer isn’t an absolute “yes” across the board, we will take the time to build the right conditions first.
The Power of “Not Yet”
One of the hardest but most important lessons I have learned working in nonprofits is how to say “not yet.” We are committed to listening, gathering data, and piloting programs before making long-term commitments. It’s not about saying no. Its about ensuring that when we do launch something, we do it right.
What This Means for Our Community
This approach might mean that some things will take a bit longer to launch. We want to be sure that whatever we create is built to last. That means:
- Families won’t have to worry about a resource disappearing after a few months.
- People with disabilities will know that they can count on us.
- Volunteers and partners will be part of something sustainable.
The Ability Collective of Barry County is more than just an organization. It is a movement and it grows with the people who believe in us. Whether you support us by sharing our mission, volunteering, donating, and following our journey, know that you are part of something bigger.