The Nonprofit Challenge
The nation needs to take a new approach to economic development. Federal, state and philanthropic actors all need to approach metros not as problems requiring programmatic hand-outs, but as compelling investment opportunities for driving national prosperity.
⎯ Brookings Institution
Where is the economic opportunity that we promise to inner city residents?
Next Street is in the business of creating sustained economic development in low-income areas of America’s cities.
We complement the work of public and nonprofit actors by expanding the capability of local businesses to create jobs – and the capabilities of nonprofit service providers to change what’s possible for local residents.
Next Street bridges the private, public and philanthropic spheres in what we call the urban enterprise. Our role in this complex ecosystem is to help:
Direct private investment and operational expertise to areas of economic and social need
Promote enduring job growth by expanding businesses that are already significant employers
Amplify the impact of large and small nonprofit organizations in the community
35% of Next Street clients are nonprofits. Many benefit from the same capabilities that we provide to businesses – in planning, managing, and marketing. Others call on us to solve challenges unique to nonprofit organizations:
Next Street helps the nonprofit CEO align her board to a changing agenda. Our organizational development specialists work behind the scenes to help you forge consensus around the new direction, and recruit board members with critical expertise.
We help service providers build the 21st Century organizations and capabilities they need to be effective in an era of expanding needs and rapid change. Many are referred by funders who see opportunities that grants alone can’t realize to improve performance, communication with clients and donors, and how the organization uses technology to increase efficiency.
Next Street helps forward-thinking foundations break the frustration barrier in urban economic development. We do this via local, outcomes-based partnerships with public, private, and nonprofit actors. And by helping foundation principals better align investment strategies with social goals – within fiduciary constraints.
