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May 1, 2025



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Jane Page-Steiner, Owner & Publisher – jane@gcnonprofitnews.com

Kelli Tarantino, Editor - kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com

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Debunking the 10 Biggest Nonprofit Myths

by Donald Summers

There are numerous myths about how nonprofits should operate. Most pervasive and central to all others is what I call the “myth of uniqueness.”

The myth of uniqueness is the illusion that because nonprofits operate under different rules related to taxation and ownership, they are fundamentally different from for-profit organizations. This is manifested in the idea that nonprofits should not be run like businesses.

Under this myth, business planning is impossible because the nonprofit is subject to forces beyond its control. Measuring outcomes is impossible because social impact is too hard to measure. Growth is haphazard because nonprofits have no control over external funding from foundations, government agencies or capricious donors.

Unfortunately, this myth — and many others it engenders — are so pervasive they stunt many small to medium-sized nonprofits, limiting their ability to scale and grow to meet the social challenges they face.

In reality, nonprofits can grow and scale for success just like their counterparts in the for-profit world. The first step is to recognize the myth of uniqueness for what it is — a myth. Then nonprofits can adapt the strategic, data-driven approaches that the private sector uses to grow and scale for impact. Here are some of the most pervasive misconceptions around nonprofits, and the truths behind them:

1. Nonprofits Shouldn’t Make a Profit

It’s true, tax laws prohibit nonprofits from “private benefit,” but they can and should generate surplus revenue to grow, innovate and weather economic downturns. While nonprofits can’t distribute profits to private individuals, they have to pay reasonable compensation for services just like any other organization. This includes paying the salaries necessary to attract and retain qualified staff (see Myth No. 4). Smart nonprofits operate like businesses, reinvesting funds into their mission for long-term impact.

2. The Best Nonprofits Have the Lowest Overhead

Many nonprofits operate under a cultural assumption that all costs other than direct program services are wasteful and should be minimized. This overhead myth and the myth of uniqueness hobble nonprofit growth and impact in numerous ways — chief among them when they are used as an excuse not to pay competitive salaries. 

In reality, nonprofits must invest in leadership, technology, and operations. A well-funded infrastructure leads to greater efficiency, innovation and impact, while underinvesting in these overhead expenses is a surefire way to hamstring growth.

3. Nonprofits Should Rely on Donations Alone

Dependence on philanthropy alone is risky and unsustainable. The best fundraisers do a lot more than write grants. They understand the full range of gift, grant, contract, earned and invested revenues from individuals, foundations, corporations and government agencies. They may even have experience with impact capital, for-profit subsidiaries, licensing campaigns and other out-of-the box ways to raise money. A financially healthy nonprofit diversifies its revenue with earned income, grants, corporate partnerships and recurring contributions.  

4. Nonprofit Leaders Shouldn’t Earn Competitive Salaries

Just like in the private sector, nonprofits must offer fair, competitive compensation to attract and retain top professionals. Underpaying leadership can lead to high turnover and inefficiency. In addition, the No. 1 barrier to fundraising performance is poor compensation and a lack of incentives for fundraising staff. 

In business, salespeople are among the most well-compensated professionals because their efforts directly impact the bottom line, growth and sustainability. The same is true in the social sector. High-performing organizations must invest heavily to create teams of dedicated professionals. While the nonprofit fundraising profession’s rules of ethics rightly prohibit pay based on a percentage of dollars raised, it is not hard to devise incentives and reward packages with a holistic view of staff performance. Remember, talent drives impact.

5. Good Intentions Are Enough to Succeed

Passion for making the world a better place is a central motivator for almost everyone who works in the social sector, but passion without clear strategy leads to stagnation and frustration. Successful nonprofits apply business principles — such as using strategic planning, performance metrics and data-driven decision-making — to create measurable change. ...READ MORE...

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

Best Point Education & Behavioral Health is proud to announce the promotion of Tina Heintzman (L) to Vice President of Advancement and Community Engagement, alongside Adam Belcher (R) as Vice President of Training & Development. 

Easterseals Redwood is pleased to announce Ohio native and veteran Dave Corlett as the new director of Military & Veteran Services.

The Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati is grateful for recent grants from Western & Southern Financial Group, Motz Community Impact Fund, and the Charles H. Dater Foundation. Their support will help fulfill our mission to empower individuals, educate families, enhance communities, and together, celebrate the extraordinary lives of people with Down syndrome.

Serenity Recovery Network is grateful for its recent $5,000 grant from the Wohlgemuth Herschede Foundation. This grant supports the organization’s existing recovery housing program in Price Hill.

The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce presented the NKY Community Award to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport's Vice President of Public Affairs, Seth Cutter, during the 2025 Legislative and Business Policy Recap on Tuesday, April 22. The award is given to individuals, businesses, or organizations throughout the Northern Kentucky Metro region to recognize their positive impact on the community.

Last Mile Food Rescue is honored to announce a generous $25,000 contribution from the Thornwell Family Foundation. This flexible funding will support the continued growth and expansion of our food rescue efforts, helping us deliver more fresh, nutritious food to communities facing food insecurity across Greater Cincinnati. 

Pones, a local non-profit dance company whose mission focuses on social justice and community, is thrilled to premiere a new piece at the Cincinnati Fringe Festival, entitled "Somewhere Over the Holler." With support from the ArtsWave Pride grant, "Somewhere Over the Holler", will highlight rural, queer stories from our region via documentary video, dance, burlesque, and drag performance.

1N5 is proud to announce a two-year $400,000 grant from Millstone Fund to support the continued growth of its mental health education initiative, BRiY (Building Resiliency in Youth). Since launching in 2017, BRiY has expanded from 21 to 310 schools across 16 counties in Ohio and Kentucky, reflecting the growing need for early mental health education.

Sycamore Presbyterian Church and its Thrive Together Community Workshops are presenting its third in a series of workshops to provide additional resources important to individuals and families in our community. The latest is titled: Living Well, Leaving Gracefully. The five weekly workshops are held Wednesdays, April 30-June 4, 1:00pm-2:30pm, are FREE to the public and are limited to 30 participants for each session. Register here.

North Fairmount Community Center is grateful to the Charles H. Dater Foundation for their generous grant in support of our programming for the underserved children in our area.

Republic Bank has been an integral partner in advancing our mission at Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky. We are incredibly grateful for their latest act of generosity: a $10,000 donation that will directly impact the lives of those we serve. 

Cincinnati Hamilton County Community Action Agency thanks the Jack J. Smith Charitable Trust for its generous gift of $15,000 to support the installation of sensory classrooms in our Head Start Preschool centers.

The P&G Fund of Greater Cincinnati Foundation has awarded Easterseals Redwood a grant to support Military & Veteran Services. This grant will support the work the Easterseals Redwood Military & Veteran Services team does every day, guiding the community's veterans toward employment and financial sustainability.

Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center has awarded Easterseals Redwood a $15,000 Avondale Partnership & Investment Community Building Grant to support the organization's Urban Workforce Development Initiative and Building Value.

Easterseals Redwood has announced it received a $25,000 Community Connections grant from HealthPath Foundation of Ohio to support Adult Day Services.

Ingage Partners awarded Easterseals Redwood a $9,000 grant and 50 pro bono hours for its Assistive Technology Resource Center. This funding and volunteer time will purchase much-needed children’s tech and update the organization's data management systems.

The Giving Voice Foundation is thrilled to announce its 10th annual Mimosas for Memories fundraising event was a remarkable success, raising a record $136,248 to support its free community programs for local older adults living with Alzheimer's and dementia and their caregivers.



St. Vincent de Paul – Cincinnati will host a reopening and gratitude ceremony on Tuesday, May 6, 8:00am at the Neyer Outreach Center to celebrate the renovation of the Catino Choice Food Pantry, made possible through a generous collaboration with Kroger.



Women100 Cincy's mission is to empower, connect, and support Greater Cincinnati charitable organizations through a range of avenues, including donations, grants, and services. We are honored to open our first grant application process: Community Connections Grants. Email info@women100cincy.com Attn: Community Connections Grant to apply. Our grant committee will email you an application form. The W100 Advisory Board will be in contact with you regarding your status. Our goal is to empower, inspire, and support local nonprofits in their current and future initiatives. 



bi3 is accepting proposals for projects and initiatives to improve maternal mental health, with an intentional focus on improvements for Black and Hispanic women. Aligned nonprofit and fiscally sponsored organizations working in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren Counties in Ohio OR addressing policy at a state level are invited to learn more and apply. Grants awarded under this opportunity may be paid over one to three years and are expected to range from $150,000 - $500,000, with an anticipated 3-5 grants to be awarded. Deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is May 8, 2025.  

Green Umbrella is accepting applications for their Climate Action Fellowship program for governments in Greater Cincinnati communities. The fellowship pairs undergraduate and graduate students, and individuals who want to pivot careers into the sustainability space, with Green Umbrella government members to develop practical plans and solutions for a changing climate.

As part of his commitment to ensuring all Ohio children have the opportunity to build strong foundations for success, Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) Director Kara B. Wente announced the availability of $5 million in grant funding to support training for teachers at early care and education programs on how to harness the Science of Reading to enrich their young students’ literacy skills from an early age. To learn more about DCY and its priorities, visit here. 

Aviatra Accelerators announces the launch of its Capital-Ready Women (CRW) program, the only fundability assessment and guided program in the U.S. that is not government-affiliated or associated with a financial institution. This program is specifically designed to help women in non-tech industries prepare to successfully access capital through loans or investments. Look here for more information about Aviatra's Capital-Ready Women program or to apply.



Grant writing is both an art and a science—requiring strategic alignment, compelling storytelling, and strong funder relationships. Register today for Mastering the Art of Grant Writing: Strategies for Success at Any Level, May 15, 9:00am-11:30am.  Whether you’re new to grant writing or a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach, this interactive workshop is designed to elevate your skills and maximize your success in securing funding. 

Discover how your office supply purchases can make a real impact! VIE Ability, proudly operated by the Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI), creates meaningful employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Enjoy an afternoon of networking, facility tours, and learning more about our mission Friday, May 16; 3p-5p - all while enjoying complimentary drinks and appetizers! Learn more here.

Join the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the upcoming Eggs 'N Issues: Bridging Futures – Career Development & Education for a Thriving Business Community Tuesday, May 20, 7:30am – 9:00am at Receptions Banquet and Conference Center – South. Education and business leaders will come together to talk about how Northern Kentucky can better prepare students for exciting career opportunities right here in the region. Register here. 

Put your personal passion or your professional expertise to work. The 4C for Children Gala Committee plans and executes our annual event to honor those who work tirelessly for the children of our community. For other committee opportunities, reach out to Emily Fay at efay@4cforchildren.org.

Lydia’s House relies heavily on outside volunteers, supporters and partners to fulfill their mission of providing safe, stable and supportive housing to women and children in crisis and transition. Multiple opportunities are available to fit any schedule. Find more information here or email volunteer@stlydiashouse.org. 



Federal grant volatility - an Inside look at the real impact for nonprofits To say that the months since President Donald Trump assumed office for the second time have been tumultuous for nonprofits would be an understatement.

12 ways to reduce nonprofit recruiting costs and maintain the hiring experience As nonprofits largely operate with limited resources, competing with for-profit organizations for the same talent is an additional barrier for nonprofits looking to recruit top-notch candidates. Twelve Forbes Nonprofit Council members discuss how nonprofits can cut recruiting costs without sacrificing the quality of the hiring experience.

Our sponsor and partner marketplace serves to further connect our readers with our advertisers who are focused on serving nonprofits. To learn more about a sponsor's nonprofit services, click on their ad. Contact Kelli Tarantino, editor, at kelli@gcnonprofitnews.com to discover how your business or organization can become a sponsor/advertiser of the Greater Cincinnati Nonprofit News.

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