What is NIMBY?
One of the greatest challenges to our work is the concept of NIMBY -- Not In My Back Yard. It generally points to a hesitancy or prohibition to develop certain businesses, organizations or programs in particular areas or neighborhoods. But what if we flipped the acronym on its head and consider it instead to mean Nonprofits In My Back Yard...
I often have the opportunity to speak to civic and community organizations about our work. I don't take these speaking engagements lightly. I know these gatherings are often where decision-makers and community leaders convene. On these occasions I have a few precious moments to champion nonprofits, social enterprise and community development to a captive audience.
In my most recent talk, I reframed NIMBY to this new audience and challenged them to consider giving the 5 T's of Time, Talent, Treasure, Ties and Testimonies to organizations in their community. Today, I challenge us to consider how we might invest the five T's to nonprofits in our back yard:
Time. Time is arguably our most precious commodity. We can't get more of it and we all have equal amounts within a given day. It is valuable and our nonprofits need it. Where can we increase our investment of time with a nonprofit?
Talents. We all have experience, gifts, and skills to offer. Where can we use our talents to better our community through partnership with a nonprofit?
Treasure. All of us have unique opportunities to invest in our local community through monetary donations. What nonprofits do we currently support and how do we better steward our resources to contribute our treasure to a nonprofit or two?
Ties. Where are we connected and how can we use those ties and connections to help benefit a nonprofit?
Testimony. Stories of our own experiences are powerful and impactful. How has an arts organization, youth center, food pantry or sports program impacted us? Testimonies of how nonprofits have met needs or altered our path in life are powerful indicators of the value of nonprofits in our communities.
Take the five T's challenge and consider how nonprofits in your back yard can benefit from your time, talent, treasure, ties and testimony.
-Mindy Muller, CFRE, President/CEO of CDP
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