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.
More about the TANGO Blog
|
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.
April 2026 – Founders Forum by Rollin Schuster
What is TANGO
Why Financial Clarity Has Become a Leadership Issue for Nonprofits
One of the defining pressures on nonprofits right now is not simply that resources are tight. It is that uncertainty has become harder to separate from day-to-day decision-making.
Recent research shows how widespread that pressure has become. Many nonprofits are facing a difficult mix of rising service demand, tighter margins, funding uncertainty, and growing pressure to make confident decisions in real time.
Elim Park
Elim Park is a not-for-profit Life Plan Community dedicated to providing exceptional care and enriching the lives of older adults.
New York Nonprofits Should Prepare Now for Rising Unemployment Costs
New York Nonprofits Should Prepare Now for Rising Unemployment Costs New York Nonprofits Should Prepare Now for Rising Unemployment Costs New York nonprofits are entering a period of significantly higher unemployment costs, making this an important time to review how...
Generation Power CT
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.
March 2026 – Founders Forum by Rollin Schuster
What is TANGO
Nonprofits Need to Diversify Their Funding Sources: 3 Key Points
Nonprofits Need to Diversify Their Funding Sources: 3 Key Points Nonprofits Need to Diversify Their Funding Sources: 3 Key Points Alan Deckman, President TCORS Capitol Group, LLC. (TCG) To ensure durability amid times of potential volatility, nonprofits have an...
February 2026 – Founders Forum by Rollin Schuster
How do we position our organization to generate more revenue?
Mercy Housing & Shelter Corporation
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.
Using a Core Evaluation Tool to Make your Case and Raise Money
The nonprofit sector is fiercely competitive in the best of times. This is not the best of times. As federal funding has been scythed down, and state funding is likewise dwindling, the volume of applications arriving in grant makers’ inboxes has soared. Standing out in this context is not easy.
But the evaluation profession offers a tool that can help grant seekers to make their case better: with clarity and power.
Want More Content Like This?
For all the latest news, events and nonprofit related content, become a member and receive our montly Trends Newsletter. membership is free for all nonprofit organizations.