There are more than 1.5 million registered non-profits in the United States alone. So when it comes time to choose one to support, many donors face a difficult decision. Are you better off contributing to a large, well-established non-profit or a smaller, more grassroots organization? Both have merits, but supporting smaller non-profits, like Patriots for Disabled Divers, offers several unique advantages. Read on to learn why supporting small non-profits is the key to ensuring your donations go the farthest.
Personalized Connection
One significant advantage of working with a small non-profit is establishing a more personalized connection with the organization and its mission. The leadership of smaller non-profits is more intimately involved in the day-to-day efforts, allowing donors to engage directly with the people behind the cause. This personal connection fosters a deeper understanding of how contributions directly influence the organization’s goals and creates a more fulfilling philanthropic experience. It also allows donors to get to know the people whose lives are improved by the organization’s efforts. For example, PFDD’s Adopt-A-Diver program allows qualifying donors to meet the veterans they support and hear first-hand how adaptive diving has helped their healing journey.
Agility and Adaptability
Due to their size and bureaucratic structures, large non-profits can sometimes struggle to adapt quickly to changing circumstances or address emerging needs. In contrast, smaller organizations like PFDD can be more agile and responsive. They can pivot swiftly to address immediate challenges and efficiently allocate resources where needed most. This flexibility ensures donations are always used to support current needs and not locked into outdated programs. As an example, PFDD participants come from all over the U.S. When we have a qualifying veteran who does not live near one of our existing affiliates, we can often open a new affiliate to train that participant.
Efficient Use of Resources
Smaller non-profits have smaller budgets and, consequently, are adept at maximizing the impact of each donation. Patriots for Disabled Divers, for instance, has very little overhead compared to larger organizations. This means a higher percentage of donated funds goes directly to supporting the cause rather than administrative expenses. Therefore, donor contributions directly impact our mission to bring the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving to injured veterans.
Community Focus
Small non-profits, rooted in local communities, have a more intimate understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within those communities. PFDD focuses primarily on injured veterans, with several veterans serving on the board. This link to the military community provides a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by service members injured during active duty. Furthermore, we go a step deeper by collaborating with affiliate dive centers that can speak to the unique needs of veterans in their local area. By supporting a smaller organization, donors can rest easy knowing their contributions are being allocated by people who are members of the community they serve.
Grassroots Advocacy
Smaller non-profits, like Patriots for Disabled Divers, are at the forefront of grassroots movements and advocacy efforts. With a passion-driven approach, these organizations bring attention to overlooked issues and affect change for communities that larger non-profits don’t support. For example, there are many adaptive sports-based veterans’ organizations out there. However, most focus almost exclusively on visible injuries without providing support for lethal invisible injuries like PTSD. As a grassroots organization, PFDD brings awareness and relief to those living with the symptoms of invisible injuries while still providing support for visible injuries.
Big Changes Come From Small Non-Profits
Supporting a smaller organization like Patriots for Disabled Divers offers a unique opportunity to make a substantial impact. The personalized connections, resource efficiency, community focus, and grassroots advocacy efforts characteristic of smaller non-profits provide donors with a fulfilling and effective philanthropic experience. By selecting a small non-profit aligned with one’s values, donors can be confident that their contributions create positive change and lasting impacts. To learn more about Patriots for Disable Divers and our mission or to make a donation, contact us online or by email at jeff@patriotsfordisableddivers.org.