The High Center

The High Center for Nonprofits is thrilled to welcome REAL Life Community Services to The High Center community! 🎉

Founded in 2010 and based in Denver, Pa., REAL Life Community Services is a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to connecting the community to hope through partnerships, collaborations, and relationship-building. What began as an outreach to at-risk youth has grown into a comprehensive community resource serving individuals and families throughout the Cocalico region.

Please join us in giving a warm High Center welcome to REAL Life Community Services - where hope, compassion, and community come together to make a difference every day! 👏

👉 Learn more: https://www.reallcs.org/.

The High Center is excited to welcome Risser's Poultry Inc. into The High Center Community! 🎉

Founded in 1928, Risser’s Poultry is a fourth-generation, family-owned business that has been serving the poultry industry with integrity, excellence, and commitment for more than 95 years. What began as a small operation in Lititz, Pa., has grown into a multifaceted company providing poultry transportation, custom poultry production, flock services, and poultry handling solutions throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Please join us in giving a warm High Center welcome to Risser’s Poultry - where family values, industry expertise, and a commitment to service have been helping customers succeed for nearly a century! 👏

👉 Learn more about Risser’s Poultry Inc. by visiting https://www.risserspoultry.com/.

What does it take to build a successful social enterprise? 🔎

At the High Center's recent On the Road workshop, “Nonprofit Sustainability: Social Enterprise Models,” 45 nonprofit leaders gathered at the S. Dale High Leadership Center in Lancaster to explore how organizations can generate new revenue while advancing their missions.

Key takeaways include:

✅ Board support and involvement from the start are crucial.
✅ The strongest social enterprises are built on existing strengths — not from scratch. Identify what your organization already does well.
✅ It is never too early to connect with an attorney and accountant to understand the impact on your nonprofit tax-exempt status.
✅ Accepting risk is part of the process - test your tolerance for risk first.
✅ The development phase is time-consuming and often requires a fail-fast mentality - a number of iterations can be expected.
✅ The benefits can surpass your expectations - not only in generating new income, but in increasing your brand awareness and donor base.
✅ Recognize that the qualified staff you have to run your mission-based programs are likely not the same staff you will need to run a social enterprise.

Thank you to everyone who joined the conversation, including our host, Robin Stauffer President and CEO of the High Foundation, and our speakers: M. Travis DiNicola of the High Center, Otto Monroy of LogosWorks Partners, and Frannie Reiley of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC. We appreciate your insights on building sustainable futures for nonprofit organizations.