Social Startup Success: How the Best Nonprofits Launch, Scale Up, and Make a Difference

Asking why some social-justice startups flourish and others fail, Kelly, cofounder of a nonprofit that promotes gender equality, presents the trends unique to successful organizations in this no-nonsense, energetic guide to building a startup that both does well and does good. Kelly conducted a survey of newly founded organizations and tracked which ones reached organizational sustainability, which she defines as annually raising about $2 million. She found five key strategies responsible for the success of effective nonprofits: they all tested ideas thoroughly before seeking funding, measured impact from day one, funded experimentation through diversification, led collaboratively, and told compelling stories. Surprisingly, none of the successful startups indicated that their success was driven by a single brilliant idea or charismatic founder. Packed with clear, concrete advice and illustrated with profiles of effective leaders, Kelly provides comfort and direction for do-gooders leading startups, such as with reminders that they’re not alone in their challenges. Though the audience is necessarily niche, Kelly hits her target perfectly, and this is a must-read for anyone who wants to combine a lucrative career with work for the greater good. (Jan.)