What does 20 years of non-profit consulting in British Columbia look like? For HIP Strategic Non-Profit Consulting, it’s been a journey of strategic planning, community engagement, collaboration and organizational development—all rooted in helping non-profits and communities thrive. Along the way, the work evolved, but the purpose stayed strong. What becomes possible when you build a career around the work that matters most to you?

COVID-19 tested non-profit leadership, crisis management and organizational resilience in ways few could have predicted. Boards and Executive Directors faced difficult decisions about staffing, finances, service delivery and long-term sustainability—while still supporting their communities. The lessons remain relevant for non-profits preparing for future uncertainty. If your organization faced a major crisis tomorrow, would you be ready to respond—and recover?

Networking for non-profit leaders takes time, energy and resources, so it’s worth asking whether your efforts are creating real value. Strategic networking should build community partnerships, referrals, collaboration and relationships that help move your organization forward. Sometimes that means showing up; sometimes it means choosing a different room. Is your networking actually building the connections your non-profit needs—or are you simply going because you always have?

Can a non-profit earn revenue and still stay true to its mission? Absolutely. As funding pressures grow, non-profit sustainability may require organizations to think differently about earned income, fee-for-service programs and social enterprise. Revenue can be reinvested to strengthen programs, increase capacity and advance your mission. What opportunities could your non-profit be missing because earning money feels too much like “business”?

Strong non-profit collaboration starts with better communication. When staff, Boards, volunteers and community partners share ideas, listen to different perspectives and build trust, they can accomplish more together than they can alone. Strong internal communication and community partnerships also create more connected, resilient organizations. Where could one better conversation turn an organizational “island” into a powerful collaboration?