“No money, no mission.”
It’s a phrase often heard among senior leadership at the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross. The role of our volunteers and most paid staff is to deliver the mission in a compassionate and empathetic manner. The role of our board of directors and senior leadership is to get resources that enable volunteers to deliver on the mission. This means collaborating with local donors, partners, government agencies and businesses.
The standard for nonprofits is high. I’ve seen people have what seems like an allergic reaction when the words overhead and investment are applied to nonprofits. The reality is that nonprofit is nothing more than a category on a business application form. You must operate the organization like a business. You must make investments into infrastructure. Our major donors understand. Recently, a local foundation donated $375,000 for a new blood mobile. They understand the return on investment of such a gift.
Nonprofit organizations put money, services, time and talent into the community every day, helping people when they need it the most. Many people in our community are just one or two major life events away from becoming clients of the Red Cross themselves. A loss of job, cancer diagnosis or serious accident can cause a setback to anyone. So it’s vital that the doors stay open, which means making the most of every dollar donated and being a partner to the business community.
In the case of the Red Cross, that reciprocation comes in many forms. For instance, every lifeguard in the area’s resort pools and neighborhood recreation pools are Red Cross trained to save lives and keep our children safe. We recently concluded a veteran employment program with MGM Resorts International, mobilizing partners to find employment for veterans across the valley. Daily, workers are trained in first aid and CPR not only to meet OSHA workplace safety requirements but to save lives at work, home, school and places of worship. We provide employee engagement opportunities through volunteer service, hosting blood drives, going door-to-door with us to install free smoke detectors, and myriad other ways.
We will continue to evolve to meet the need and grow to meet the demand. We will continue to run our operations like a business and our mission like a charity to ensure longevity for the next 100 years.
As you begin your new year, I challenge you do something different. Fully trust in the charities you support. Give an unrestricted gift for them to use in the best manner needed. Volunteer and see operations from the inside. Together, we can make a difference.
Thank you to the Las Vegas business community for your continued support for the years past and the years to come.
Scott Emerson is executive director of the Southern Nevada chapter of the American Red Cross.