Chasing Success – The Challenge for Nonprofits

"This significant book tells the nonprofit story through the unique lens of someone who was on the battlefield from day one. Van Ginkel provides a granular and utterly candid examination of nonprofit challenges. This case study is anchored in nationwide research and offers solutions. The narrative is lifted by real-life stories, well told. I was deeply engaged." -- John Pepper, Former CEO and Chairman, The Procter and Gamble Company
"'None of us can save this world,' my father told us, but each of us should make a difference. This book of lessons learned and lessons shared deserves to be a must-read in building a real movement for the future of children and our republic. Cincinnati and Dr. Judith Van Ginkel show us how." -- David Lawrence Jr., Former Publisher, Miami Herald and Chair of The Children’s Movement of Florida
"Lots of people want to change the world, but those who succeed use their time and resources wisely. In this practical and inspiring book, Van Ginkel shares how Every Child Succeeds shaped lives for the better in Cincinnati, and how nonprofit leaders can move beyond intentions to achieve real and lasting results." -- Laura Vanderkam, Author of Tranquility by Tuesday and 168 Hours
"Dr. Van Ginkel's narrative is not just about one nonprofit—it's a profound lesson in nonprofit administration. Drawing from her extensive experience, Chasing Success offers invaluable insights into founding and nurturing a nonprofit, leveraging research and best practices, adapting to change, and upholding accountability to stakeholders. The book delves into the intricacies of navigating shifting policies and funding dynamics at both the national and regional levels—a perspective seldom explored yet crucial for the success of smaller organizations nationwide." -- Byron McCauley, Founder, McCauley Communications
"This book is the compelling story of one small, but significant nonprofit founded to apply research to improve child outcomes in a metropolitan area. It is a story of leadership, innovation, and measurable results. Many lives were changed for the difficulty in maintaining funding and focus underscores the reality that neither government nor philanthropy understands or invests in what is needed to succeed. Einstein said that today's problems will not be solved at the same level as they were created. He was right." -- David R. Walker, Former Vice President and Comptroller, Procter & Gamble
"Judy Van Ginkel's thoughtful book, Chasing Success: The Challenge for Nonprofits, offers candid and critical insights into the difficulties nonprofit leaders face, from funding, to scaling, to collaboration, to innovation, to assuring equity, and to listening to parent voices. I followed Van Ginkel's leadership to Every Child Succeeds (the case study for this book) and saw first-hand the excellence of every aspect of the program. I examined the compelling data from the Moving Beyond Depression innovation and waited for it to become a normal part of every home visiting program--which sadly it never did. How can programs that are the best in their class not flourish and become models in every state? The book raises important questions about how social services are delivered in this country and demands attention from policymakers and others. If we are serious about supporting parents who are raising the next generation, the challenges illuminated in this book must be addressed." -- Libby Doggett, PhD, former deputy assistant secretary for policy and education
"In short, Every Child Succeeds (ECS) changed the course of early childhood home visiting. It’s partners have inspired and supported many, including me, in building regional and national platforms for research to inform evidence-based policy and practice. This book makes it possible for wider audiences to learn from ECS’s experience." -- Anne E. Duggan, ScD, professor emerita, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
"Chasing Success is an extremely important contribution to articulating and addressing the meta-issues faced by nonprofits seeking to improve their communities. Congratulations on a substantial contribution to the pragmatic literature on the care and feeding of the community-based nonprofit." -- Frank W. Putnam, MD, Professor of Clinical Psychiatry, UNC; emeritus professor of pediatrics at CCHMC
"Van Ginkel’s Chasing Success shares invaluable wisdom from a 20+ year visionary leadership journey with Ohio’s Every Child Succeeds. For nonprofit and early childhood system leaders, funders, policymakers, and students, this long-term case study brings a unique perspective to the evolving challenges of leading an exemplary, community-serving successful nonprofit." -- David W. Willis, MD, FAAP Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Social Policy
"Van Ginkel paints a vivid and compelling picture of what it takes to lead a successful nonprofit. Her stories and lessons learned would be valuable to any CEO but are especially enlightening for those who lead nonprofits as she describes navigating a myriad of opportunities and challenges in her experiences." -- Jim Spurlino, CEO of Spurlino Materials and author of Business Bullseye
"Van Ginkel astutely identifies challenges many nonprofits face when increasing community impact. She urges us to have courage, know what questions to ask, be part of the solution, and above all, always hold true to our missions. Van Ginkel offers valuable lessons for both new and experienced nonprofit leaders, funders, policymakers and students." -- Jennifer Frey, PhD. President and CEO of Every Child Succeeds