The Entrepreneurial Spirit of Nonprofits

Elisabeth Gehl is the director of governmental relations at the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations.

While growing up in New Orleans I knew this city was special.  Where else do you get a week off from school to celebrate Mardi Gras and bask in the sun while listening to multiples stages of soulful music?  People know New Orleans is unique because of our long-standing traditions and storied cultures. However what sets this city apart isn’t just costumes, second lines, and laced balconies, but its people.  Since Hurricane Katrina, the nation has been able to get to know New Orleans beyond the usual stereotypes and gain a better understanding of the strength, creativity, and tenacity of our citizens.

The recovery of New Orleans has been a people centered effort-individuals, small businesses, neighborhoods, and nonprofits.  In particular, I have had the great pleasure of getting to know the nonprofit community over the past few years.  After spending 15 years on the East Coast, I decided to move back home to witness the city’s rebuilding firsthand through the eyes of nonprofits.  And I have enjoyed seeing how their growth in the community and entrepreneurial spirit is making a difference every day.

Nonprofits have become a noteworthy part of our city’s backbone and risen to the challenge of trying to solve some of our greatest challenges including affordable housing, crime, environmental protection, homelessness, health care, and education.  Since the storm, the sector is stronger and more cohesive with increased organizational capacity and new coalitions formed around common issues.

The sector’s importance to the city has been shown by its serving the needs of our most vulnerable populations and being able to effectively partner with government and business to achieve our common goals.  As mission-driven organizations in every community, nonprofits hold a significant value to our state and act as a vital part of the economic engine.  I have no doubt their presence and influence will continue to grow, emboldened by the lessons learned over the past four years, after we were unexpectedly thrown into the largest recovery effort in national history.

New Orleans is a city of good times and crazy traditions, but it’s also an incredible example of the impact grassroots communities can have when they mobilize together through joint efforts to create a stronger voice for the needs of our citizens.