An Association is usually incorporated as a 501 (c) 6 organization. It works on behalf of its members. The strength of an Association is based on its membership. The larger the membership, the more success the Association will have in producing greater results. A nonprofit or individual should pay a membership to join an Association if there are clear and measurable benefits to being a member.

The most simple measure is, “Will my organization save money or obtain additional funds by the actions of the Association?” Group purchasing is the quickest and easiest way to see results immediately. These actions create more funds by decreasing costs.

Property insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, visioin insurance, utilities, billing services, retirement plans, human resource services, accounting services, consulting services, development services, office supplies, security, bottled water, food, equipment, web services, information technology services, banking services, audit services, construction, and employment assistance programs are just a few examples where group purchasing can decrease costs.

The other part of an Association’s effort is lobbying and clearly educating elected officials. A key role they play is providing a clear voice on the economic impact of their member organizations and the criticial areas of concerns.

So take advantage of Associations where it makes sense. Make sure you never pay more than it costs your local, state or federal government for a service or product.

1. Identify the true costs of providing the services to obtain the outcome objective

2. Describe the specific services that costs are covering

3. Do not blend services that require a different outcome or rate

4. Know what your peers are charging for the services

5. Know what capacity the configuration of expenses will support

6. Know what percent of billable units each staff person has generated

7. Create a private rate and public rate

8. Utilize a sliding fee schedule for programs

9. Track all free care units

10. Track all services provided by volunteers

11.  Have a mixture of purchasers

12.  Have a single point of intake to maximize referral to services

The marvel of modern day science and the genealogy projects being generated across the world is an untapped pool of potential wealth for many nonprofits to consider.

The Genographic Project is probably the most extensive in tracing the roots of a person. The funny thing is that regardless of faith, religion, or ethnic heritage we all started from the same place, Africa. Check out the effort of the National Geographic Society, IBM, geneticist Spencer Wells, and the Waitt Family Foundation who have jointly launched the Genographic Project. It is an effort to map humanity’s genetic journey through the ages. Join the effort. https://www3.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/

Prime Candidates to tap these donors are Family Associations and Organ Donor Organizations.

Family Associations should link themselves to programs such as Organ Swap, blood type match programs and make a difference for their members and others. Join the effort.

Organ Swap Inc. is a non profit corporation that is dedicated to helping organ transplant candidates identify potential recipient-donor pairs that may be suitable for a paired exchange such as a Paired Kidney Exchange. Read more about Organ Swap by clicking their web site. http://www.organswap.org/