Nine Ways Nonprofits Can Invest in Growth in an Uncertain Economic Environment February 22, 2024

If the economic outlook is going to delay a large-scale facility project, it may be beneficial to complete smaller repairs to an existing facility to ensure that they don’t become larger, more costly issues. Tuckpointing, roof repairs, and electrical work are just a few examples of the types of routine maintenance that often require attention if left unaddressed for too long.  

Completing this work also offers opportunities to increase the energy efficiency of the facility, which can meaningfully reduce utility bills. If a roof replacement or installation is needed, for example, improving the insulation by adding a few inches of foam board is a small cost in terms of the overall project and can significantly save on both heating and cooling costs.  

The same is true if windows or doors need to be repaired or replaced. Poorly insulated windows and doors increase the amount of energy lost via building emissions, which is both damaging to the environment and an organization’s bottom line when utility bills are due. There are several basic steps nonprofits can take to improve building insulation to curb energy loss, including installing weather stripping on windows and gasketing and sweeps on doors to help create a better seal to reduce energy consumption. Updating windows to increase energy efficiency is also a good opportunity to increase the volume of natural light in the facility, which has programmatic benefits.  

Nonprofits can often achieve cost savings while increasing the sustainability of their facilities by repairing inefficient HVAC systems or replacing outdated HVAC systems. This is particularly true when gas/oil-fired systems are replaced with electric heat pump systems.

While not a flashy renovation, improving and/or increasing the capacity of bathrooms is a relatively simple upgrade that will positively impact anyone who spends time in the facility. Additionally, renovating bathrooms is an ideal time to reduce water usage in the building by installing low-flow plumbing fixtures (e.g., toilets, faucets) that reduce waste. Low-flow fixtures are designed to produce water pressure similar or equal to older fixtures, but with drastically less water used. This can add up to meaningful cost savings over time while contributing to a more sustainable future.  

The lobby/waiting area is a space that almost anyone who enters the facility will need to pass through, and it’s where first impressions of the organization are likely to take hold. A fresh coat of paint, lighting improvements, and other small upgrades can have an outsized impact on the experience of clients and visitors alike.  

If staff are cramped or working in suboptimal workspaces, this year could be an ideal opportunity to address those challenges. Adding windows to increase natural light, converting unused space into workspaces to make working conditions more comfortable, or otherwise completing modifications that improve staff morale shouldn’t require significant investment in most cases. The same is true for the spaces that support program delivery. If there’s one room where the majority of programming takes places, completing cosmetic updates or reconfiguring the space to improve operational efficiency can serve as a step toward a larger overhaul of the facility at a later date.  

Installing energy efficient appliances is an easy way for nonprofits to reduce their monthly operating costs and help the environment. Energy Star-certified appliances like washing and drying machines, refrigerators, and water heaters – among other examples – reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and dependency on unsustainable fossil fuels. 

Updating workspaces to be more functionable and comfortable is one way to boost staff morale, and completing minor renovations to spaces like staff lounges and kitchenettes is another way to meaningfully improve the day-to-day experience of those working in the facility and perhaps even increase retention.  

If the organization relies on transportation to operate its programs (e.g., a home delivery program for a food pantry), purchasing a vehicle instead of renting one or relying on volunteers is an option worth exploring to ensure that the organization can consistently provide the services that depend on a reliable form of transportation.  

Purchasing new computers, desks, chairs, copy machines, and other office equipment is a relatively inexpensive way to boost staff morale and can improve operational efficiency. When combined with updates to the workspace itself, small improvements can have an outsized positive impact.