Risks

Undertaking organizational change at a nonprofit poses definite risks, especially if it is carried out poorly:

• If you make changes in program priorities, you might alienate a long-term supporter or funder because you are eliminating something that is important to them. Board members and members also may be affected.
  
• Particular tactics in terms of organizational development or organizational health might affect other area of operations and involve more extensive organizational restructuring.
• Shifting your priorities or making changes in your programs can also affect your bottom line, your sources of support or partnerships and alliances. These need to be done thoughtfully and with consideration of the business and other consequences of your actions.

Opportunities

If your organization is smart and nimble in executing change:

• It can attract new funders or respond to new money that is coming down the pike.
  
• Making changes in your organization might attract new supporters – not just funders, but board members, or people who want to contribute time or can move the mission of the organization forward.
• Smart organizational development can make your organization more resource efficient – you'll be able to put less resources into operations (reducing overhead) and more into your programs and mission, and be more targeted in terms of whom you serve.  In turn this can make your organization more sustainable.
• Organizational development can also make your organization more strategic, and therefore more effective. For example, if you are an organization that provides immigrant services or social services to new Americans, you can zero in on a particular need as it presents itself, like the influx of children from Central America arriving across the border.