Building Bridges - The TANGO Blog
TANGO’s mission is to build bridges between the nonprofit sector and the business sector. The mission is based on the belief that the interests of the sectors are capable of being aligned, and that communities do better when their interests are aligned.
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An alignment of interests is not the same as a merger of interests. Each sector is responsible for different tasks within a community, both sets of tasks are necessary conditions for community stability, and each sector should be allowed to perform the tasks for which it is best suited without undue interference from the other. However, recognizing the equally important role each sector plays in the community, the sectors should support each other, and doing this will require a bridge over which information, ideas, problems, solutions, and goals are exchanged freely in both directions. |
The principles upon which the bridge will be built are the TANGO Founding Principles appearing at the beginning of our textbook, The TANGO Nonprofit Method. This Blog is one component part of the bridge we will be building, and it will be both a platform and a portal to identify relevant information, ideas, problems and solutions and to discuss them openly and critically. Finally, our roots are in the business sector, and we will bring “business-like” rigor to our commentary. We will be frank and clear so as not to be misunderstood, while always being respectful. We also invite counter-opinion from those who disagree. Having said this, our critique of nonprofit sector organizations will be based on the following rigorous standards and principles: |
ONE: Tax-exempt status is a privilege conferred by federal and state legislative acts. Tax exemptions and tax deductions reduce public tax revenue, and, as such, indirectly subsidize nonprofit sector operations.
TWO: The governing boards and management teams of these organizations must adhere strictly to high fiduciary standards when expending and managing the funds and assets of the organizations they serve. Moreover, as fiduciaries of financial and other assets dedicated to a public/charitable purpose, nonprofit governing boards have a higher level of responsibility than do our elected officials who are not held to fiduciary standards when they exercise their voting authority over public assets.
THREE: Nonprofit governing boards have a duty to develop a set of measures and metrics to gauge both internal operating functions and the social impact of their organizations. The applicable measures and metrics should be prepared in conformance with the fiduciary standards mentioned above consistent with applicable benchmarks, data, and known industry standards.
FOUR: Organizations should report prominently and candidly the results of operations relative to the measures and metrics. The fiduciaries governing boards of these organizations must have the courage to report poor measures and metrics, not unlike the manner in which publicly traded business organizations are required to do so – even if over the objections of management.
FIVE: Nonprofit Organizations should not misuse the emotional appeal of their mission. The emotional appeal of a mission statement should be subordinate to the measurement and metric outcomes.
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But the evaluation profession offers a tool that can help grant seekers to make their case better: with clarity and power.
January 2026 – Founders Forum by Rollin Schuster
As we close out the year, I am proud to reflect on what has been a truly strong and meaningful year for TANGO. Together, we achieved important milestones that underscore both the relevance of our work and the strength of our growing community. In 2025, TANGO expanded its membership to more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations and extended our geographic footprint, connecting leaders across new regions who share a commitment to building stronger, more sustainable nonprofits.
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The New Britain Museum of American Art is the first museum dedicated to acquiring American Art in the country, the New Britain Museum of American Art inspires, educates, and connects people through the power of American art. Through our outstanding collection, dynamic exhibitions, and engaging programs, we create meaningful experiences that foster curiosity, creativity, and lifelong learning.
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As we close out the year, I am proud to reflect on what has been a truly strong and meaningful year for TANGO. Together, we achieved important milestones that underscore both the relevance of our work and the strength of our growing community. In 2025, TANGO expanded its membership to more than 2,000 nonprofit organizations and extended our geographic footprint, connecting leaders across new regions who share a commitment to building stronger, more sustainable nonprofits.
Social Enterprise In Action
Oak Hill is Connecticut’s largest private nonprofit provider of disability services. For over 130 years, Oak Hill has advanced a mission of equity, independence, and full community inclusion for people of all ages and abilities.
Measuring What Matters: Why Nonprofits Are Rethinking Data
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