--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Non-profit organizations think like…" description: "\"Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. That's the problem.\" — Jeff Henderson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg" --- # Non-profit organizations think like non-profit… ![“Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. That's the problem.” quote by Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg) > “Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. That's the problem.” [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Non‑profits often replicate their own structures, leading to inefficiencies. **In simple terms:** Non‑profits copy themselves, causing problems. Key Takeaway Encourage innovative thinking in non‑profits. Themes non‑profit management innovation efficiency Mood critical reflective Type strategic inspirational When to use this quote - grant writing - program design - strategic planning - fundraising Key Concepts organizational behavior sector critique Questions to Reflect On - What changes could break the cycle of sameness? - How can non‑profits balance tradition and innovation? A Different Perspective Innovation may clash with mission focus. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Christian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Non profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-profit/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Organizations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organizations/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [While many in the social enterprise space often qualify themselves as 'non-profit,' these organizations should instead treat themselves as 'for-purpose.' These organizations should focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-braun/while-many-in-the-social-enterprise-space-often-qualify-themselves-as/) [Adam Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-braun/) > [The solutions the non-profits are trying to provide aren't keeping pace with the problems they're trying to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/the-solutions-the-non-profits-are-trying-to-provide-aren-t-keeping/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [One of the major challenges for modern large-scale organizations - it's vital to find ways to mobilize the collective brainpower of people in these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-doz/one-of-the-major-challenges-for-modern-large-scale-organizations-it-s/) [Yves Doz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-doz/) > [When I think of organizations, I think of the capabilities an organization has more than its morphology or structure. The ability of an organization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-ulrich/when-i-think-of-organizations-i-think-of-the-capabilities-an/) [Dave Ulrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-ulrich/) > [Many leaders of big organizations, I think, don't believe that change is possible. But if you look at history, things do change, and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/many-leaders-of-big-organizations-i-think-don-t-believe-that-change/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [Increasingly, I'm inspired by entrepreneurs who run nonprofit organizations that fund themselves, or for-profit organizations that achieve social missions while turning a profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ethan-zuckerman/increasingly-i-m-inspired-by-entrepreneurs-who-run-nonprofit/) [Ethan Zuckerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ethan-zuckerman/) > [Social-sector organizations have to be better managed than for-profit organizations... because they have no margin of error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hesselbein/social-sector-organizations-have-to-be-better-managed-than-for-profit/) [Frances Hesselbein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hesselbein/) > [“Most non-profit organizations are owned from wealthy philanthropists and run from volunteer people who are poor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zybejta-beta-metani-marashi/most-non-profit-organizations-are-owned-from-wealthy-philanthropists/) [Zybejta Beta Metani'Marashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zybejta-beta-metani-marashi/) > [Non-profits find the very best Who and put them on their Boards because they don't want to pay them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profits-find-the-very-best-who-and-put-them-on-their-boards/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [There's sort of a chilling effect on non-profits and the media and a lot of other places because the establishment is so powerful. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-reich/there-s-sort-of-a-chilling-effect-on-non-profits-and-the-media-and-a/) [Robert Reich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-reich/) > [The core community is passionate about quality and getting it right. If you want to read some good criticisms of Wikipedia, probably the best…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-wales/the-core-community-is-passionate-about-quality-and-getting-it-right/) [Jimmy Wales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-wales/) > [We can ill afford to have activities conducted as "non-profit," that is, as activities that devour capital rather than form it, if they can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/we-can-ill-afford-to-have-activities-conducted-as-non-profit-that-is/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Gov. Romney is a proven and effective leader with vast experience in the business world, in the non-profit world and in government. And in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-talent/gov-romney-is-a-proven-and-effective-leader-with-vast-experience-in/) [Jim Talent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-talent/) > [In today's social business marketplace Facebook is one of the best places for nonprofits to be discovered and connect with a larger audience on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-mainwaring/in-today-s-social-business-marketplace-facebook-is-one-of-the-best/) [Simon Mainwaring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-mainwaring/) > [When people make donations to non profits, they want to know that their money goes to good use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-simon/when-people-make-donations-to-non-profits-they-want-to-know-that/) [Sam Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-simon/) ## More by Jeff Henderson > [We've got to build scale. We're going to hire the best people, build the best systems, and find solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/we-ve-got-to-build-scale-we-re-going-to-hire-the-best-people-build/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [I have to look at our staff and ask the hard question - Would I hire them again?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/i-have-to-look-at-our-staff-and-ask-the-hard-question-would-i-hire/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Excellence Matters. Excellent people. Excellent vision. Excellent marketing. Excellent strategies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/excellence-matters-excellent-people-excellent-vision-excellent/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [The solutions the non-profits are trying to provide aren't keeping pace with the problems they're trying to survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/the-solutions-the-non-profits-are-trying-to-provide-aren-t-keeping/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Non-profits find the very best Who and put them on their Boards because they don't want to pay them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profits-find-the-very-best-who-and-put-them-on-their-boards/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [The people you listen to are a preview of the future you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/the-people-you-listen-to-are-a-preview-of-the-future-you/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [I want you to be a connoisseur of great questions? Here's one - what would we do if we had no money?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/i-want-you-to-be-a-connoisseur-of-great-questions-here-s-one-what/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [If we're not careful we spiritualize laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/if-we-re-not-careful-we-spiritualize-laziness/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [I truly feel that food is a celebration of life. It's the most important, most valuable gift that God gave humans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/i-truly-feel-that-food-is-a-celebration-of-life-it-s-the-most/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Who is in your life asking you the tough questions?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/who-is-in-your-life-asking-you-the-tough-questions/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Fundraising requires looking someone eye-to-eye and say, "Will you help me" and don't say another thing. Just listen to them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/fundraising-requires-looking-someone-eye-to-eye-and-say-will-you-help/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [At what point did we begin to think excellence is offensive to God?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/at-what-point-did-we-begin-to-think-excellence-is-offensive-to-god/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Your life moves to a better place when you move at a sustainable pace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/your-life-moves-to-a-better-place-when-you-move-at-a-sustainable-pace/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [I eat "NOs" for breakfast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/i-eat-nos-for-breakfast/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) > [Walk humbly but walk confidently. People want to follow confident, humble leaders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/walk-humbly-but-walk-confidently-people-want-to-follow-confident/) [Jeff Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) [Explore all 30 Jeff Henderson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/) ## More Christian quotes > [I need a bath." He chuckled. "You smell of smoke, as do I." The duke turned, leaning heavily on his cane. "Jameson, open the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-hawkins/i-need-a-bath-he-chuckled-you-smell-of-smoke-as-do-i-the-duke-turned/) [Karen Hawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-hawkins/) > [I think, here's what I've realized from interviewing people, and I've been very open about my Catholicism and my love of Christ and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-mohr/i-think-here-s-what-i-ve-realized-from-interviewing-people-and-i-ve/) [Jay Mohr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-mohr/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Why do Christians sing when they are together? The reason is, quite simply, because in singing together it is possible for them to speak…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dietrich-bonhoeffer/why-do-christians-sing-when-they-are-together-the-reason-is-quite/) [Dietrich Bonhoeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dietrich-bonhoeffer/) > [I'm very used to working with first time actors - you can just look back at 'E.T.' with Drew Barrymore, and Christian Bale from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-m-very-used-to-working-with-first-time-actors-you-can-just-look/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [“A question for Christians who accept evolution: When did we gain a "soul"? Did Homo habilis have a soul? Homo ergaster? Did God only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-g-mcafee/a-question-for-christians-who-accept-evolution-when-did-we-gain-a/) [David G. McAfee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-g-mcafee/) > [Always have the fear of God in your heart, and remember that God is always with you, everywhere, whether you are walking or sitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gennadius-of-constantinople/always-have-the-fear-of-god-in-your-heart-and-remember-that-god-is/) [Gennadius of Constantinople](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gennadius-of-constantinople/) > [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/) [Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/) > [A real Christian in an odd number anyway. He feels supreme love for One whom he has never seen, talks familiarly every day to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-real-christian-in-an-odd-number-anyway-he-feels-supreme-love-for/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord Jesus Christ became my surety . . . He went to Calvary's cross, and all my guilt was charged against Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-allen-ironside/when-the-lord-jesus-christ-became-my-surety-he-went-to-calvary-s/) [Henry Allen Ironside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-allen-ironside/) > [The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto, and every man a word. Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [Poor David Hume is dying fast, but with more real cheerfulness and good humor and with more real resignation to the necessary course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/poor-david-hume-is-dying-fast-but-with-more-real-cheerfulness-and/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [“Is there any holy beings like human beings?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/is-there-any-holy-beings-like-human-beings/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [We need to discover all over again that worship is natural to the Christian, as it was to the godly Israelites who wrote the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-i-packer/we-need-to-discover-all-over-again-that-worship-is-natural-to-the/) [J. I. Packer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-i-packer/) [Browse all 14,306 Christian quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christian/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. That's the problem.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jeff Henderson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profit-organizations-think-like-non-profit-organizations-that-s/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Christian" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profit-organizations-think-like-non-profit-organizations-that-s/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/24d/jeff-henderson-20551_christian_non-profit-organizations-think-like-non_1287165.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations. That's the problem.” — Jeff Henderson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jeff Henderson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-henderson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Non-profit organizations think like non-profit organizations....", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profit-organizations-think-like-non-profit-organizations-that-s/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-henderson/non-profit-organizations-think-like-non-profit-organizations-that-s/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```