One of the societies I work with has been around for over 50 years. While combing through archival fundraising information on the organization, I found a record of the board of directors selling bonds in partnership with a credit union in the 1970s to buy property for a new building. Innovative thinking and excellent strategy. Non-profits with no assets have little chance of borrowing to expand capacity unless they think along these lines.
This was in the 70s–Marvin Gaye and Led Zeppelin were on the airwaves. Selling bonds for getting ahead in the non-profit sector is not a new idea but it’s an idea that’s gaining momentum for making things happen for non-profits and community advancement.
If you’re interested in learning more about selling bonds for non-profit enterprises, Community Bonds and Social Enterprise: Where No One Loses by Tina Crouse or check out Toronto’s Centre for Social Innovation.
