Leadership, more than budget, is a key predictor of nonprofit success and appears to be one of the most important factors in organizational sustainability, a new survey conducted by the TCC Group finds. Using its online Core Capacity Assessment Tool, TCC surveyed approximately seven hundred organizations to identify ten key characteristics of financially sustainable nonprofits. The resulting report, The Sustainability Formula: How Nonprofit Organizations Can Thrive in the Emerging Economy, found that effective leadership is the strongest predictor of nonprofit sustainability, followed by fundraising/financial management and program staffing and management. (See site for more resources)

According to the survey, other key characteristics of nonprofit sustainability included clearly articulated and effectively communicated mission and vision statements, strong financial management systems, the development and active maintenance of long-term relationships with funders, and a willingness to revise strategic plans and upgrade programs and services.