International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc.
By: Rick Barton, ICISF CEO
The ICISF could have crashed like a fragile tree in a raging windstorm. This wonderful non-profit with a grand mission dodged the fatal strike not by good fortune but by visionary creation. That vision embodied the business plan of self-funding and not relying upon the generosity of a fickle government or shifting philanthropy.
The figurative windstorm would exist in practice as a cut to a lifegiving government grant or elimination of a corporate donation. Many non-profit organizations rely upon one or more grants or upon charitable giving. This is a good formula and allows them to offer services for free or minimal cost. However, the time usually arrives when cuts to that funding sinks the non-profit unless they are large enough to withstand the disaster.
The ICISF business model requires this education foundation to operate as a largely self-funded entity. We raise the funding for our operation through fees and charges for services and products. That results in a sustainable operation but only if sound business practices are employed. It may also result in our partners and clients claiming that we are “all about the money” or that the ICISF is greedy.
The fact is that the ICISF is all about the mission. It is always mission first, and the money will follow if the product is worthwhile. We offer many loss leaders, programs that won’t pay for the cost of the service and do so when that is merited to advance the mission. Our annual budget outlines revenue and expenses that balance out to essentially no profit. However, over the years, we have achieved enough overages that the ICISF has a sufficient reserve to cover the proverbial “rainy day”, or the windstorm mentioned above.
The ICISF business model is difficult to manage when compared to non-profits funded by a grant or sustaining gift. Managing revenue that comes in a little at a time is not easy. Pricing and related decisions are complicated because if we don’t do this right our mission will crash. Despite the challenge, we are masters of our own fate, in large part, and will remain in place if soundly managed.
Perhaps the most important core ingredient is the existence of a devoted and dedicated ICISF Board of Directors. They are all volunteers and bring an array of experience and skill to the Board. Chuck Hecker is a great example of a member of the Board who has devoted service for eleven years. Chuck has decided to retire from the Board at the end of 2021 and allow someone new to carry that baton. He will remain involved as an advisor to the CEO. We owe a debt of gratitude to Chuck.
Best wishes as we complete another very challenging year, one that included many remarkable adjustments at the ICISF. We not only survived, but we also thrived, and look forward to positive next steps. Please join with us to welcome a healthy 2022.
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International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc is a 501(c)3 Non Profit