Certified Nonprofit Professional Practice Exam

A nonprofit organization focused on youth faces funding declines and shifts its mission to serve seniors. What issue does this illustrate?

1. Increased program diversity

2. Mission drift due to new revenue efforts

3. Enhanced community partnerships

4. Effective resource management

The correct answer is: Mission drift due to new revenue efforts

The situation described highlights mission drift due to new revenue efforts. When a nonprofit organization originally dedicated to serving a specific population, such as youth, pivots its focus to another demographic, like seniors, in response to funding declines, it reflects a shift away from its core mission. This shift often occurs as organizations seek to adapt to financial pressures or explore new funding opportunities, but it can also lead to losing sight of their foundational purpose. Mission drift can have significant implications for stakeholder trust, organizational identity, and alignment with the original goals and values of the nonprofit. As organizations aim to secure revenue, they may inadvertently compromise their mission, illustrating the challenges faced when trying to balance financial sustainability with adherence to organizational principles. The other options do not capture the essence of this scenario as effectively. Increased program diversity and enhanced community partnerships imply positive growth and adaptation, while effective resource management relates to how resources are utilized rather than the fundamental change in mission. Therefore, the chosen response best encapsulates the risk of straying from an established mission in pursuit of new funding avenues.