by Grace Connors
Food Recovery Network Case Study
This case study explores the challenge of scope creep faced in nonprofit organizations by examining a critical decision the Food Recovery Network (FRN) had to make early on in their existence. FRN, a student-led nonprofit organization on a mission to recover food waste and deliver it to those in need, began exploring two different earned income models in early 2014 to help mitigate their growing costs, but soon realized that sustaining both models would not be feasible. After consulting with their board, they decided to move forward with only one model. This decision would cost the young organization access to millions of dollars, but its founders do not regret their choice.
The case is designed to encourage students to consider that decisionmaking process, focusing intentionally on an organization’s core mission versus expanding on its mandate. Ultimately, students should leave the case study and associated discussion with a strong understanding of mission and product/service alignment, the stakeholders who should be consulted in the decisionmaking process, and the power of innovation in a nonprofit.