Nonprofit Consultancy

MGMT 6170, Week 7
Assignment: Nonprofit Consultancy

We have a new client who wants us to prepare a budget for next year. Its motto is: “Give a Man a Fish, and You Feed Him for a Day. Teach a Man to Fish, and You Feed Him for a Lifetime” (u.k.)
Our client, Helping Hands, is a non-profit organization that provides skill training to those in need. It also provides a placement service to help its clients find employment when their training is complete. Currently it provides introductory computer training on the Microsoft Office suite of tools, basic financial management such as checkbook balancing and how to handle credit cards as well as training in interview skills.
It can only train five people at a time on computers and wants to purchase more computers to be able to expand that program. Many of its clients would like to continue to learn more about computers, but Helping Hands is not sure what would be most valuable for them to learn. Should they learn some accounting software, project management software, delve into more advanced topics using Microsoft Office, or is there some other topic that would make them more employable?
Last year, it received $100,000 in donations and would like to increase that amount. What do you suggest?
Money was spent as follows:
Computer skills program: $ 6,000
Financial management program: $ 5,000
Interviewing skills program: $ 2,000
Placement program: $20,000
Salaries: $40,000
Fund raising and advertising: $ 7,000
Rent, phones, insurance, etc.: $15,000
The balance of the money is currently in the checking account and is not earning interest.

To increase the computer skills program, five computers need to be purchased as well as basic Microsoft Office software. Supplies would also be needed such as ink, paper, etc. Five desks, chairs, lights, etc. would also be needed.
The financial management services program is doing fine and can accommodate additional clients without added expense.
The interviewing skills program is also able to accept additional clients without an increase in costs, but Helping Hands would like to start a closet for donated business wear so clients could pick out appropriate attire for their interviews. The location has room, but how much money would be needed to start supplying the closet?
Salaries should be increased by 3% if the organization can afford it.
Helping Hands received its donations from local businesses and from newspaper advertising. The director went to the businesses and asked for donations. That is very time consuming. Newspaper advertising is expensive. Would social media be less expensive and reach more people?
The rent is $1,000 a month and will increase 4% next year. The phones, insurance, etc. will stay the same as the organization has long term contracts.
Helping Hands would like to increase its service to the community. What suggestions do you have to help people become self-sufficient and how would they be funded?
Our client would appreciate having your suggestions and its new budget as soon as possible. I know you will give them a wonderful product which will help them help others.

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