Hybrid entities can bring for-profit strategies to NGO funding

Hybrid entities that mix for-profit and not-for-profit strategies have the potential to free NGOs from constantly seeking foundation funding. During my five years at the Ford Foundation, I managed the Global Human Rights Program and met with at least 1,000 grant seekers, while making no more than 70 grants. In short, the odds of getting a grant after a meeting was low, although this figure does not reflect the merit of the organizations or projects of the grant-seekers. In fact, these depressing statistics are actually a reflection of something worth celebrating: the human rights movement is comprised of hundreds of amazing organizations, many of which are doing exceptional work. But these numbers also reflect a fundamental problem: there is simply not enough funding to sustain the human rights NGOs that help drive the movement.