Managing Large-Scale Nonprofit Programs with Limited Resources

Abstract

Food insecurity is a wicked problem perpetuated and reinforced by policy and consequently, nonprofit resources are allocated to advocating for policy that would lead to equitable food access. With small staffs, competitive grants, and limited funding, nonprofits run into the dilemma of: Is it more impactful to focus their mission on providing actual food or to work to address the issue through advocacy and policy. This case study will examine a nonprofit attempting to manage three large-scale programs —real-time food support, resource advising, and national advocacy for food justice—with limited resources and a close-minded board of directors.