The Stanford Social Innovation Review sent out an email last week revealing the five most read articles from its website. While I won’t take any credit, several of the winners were articles that I have recommended in presentations and meetings with small groups over the past year.

Here’s a look at the list and some reasons each article is compelling and worth your time to read.

First: Ten Nonprofit Funding Models.

If an organization is going to thrive, its volunteers and staff must understand the organization’s funding models. I say models because in a multi-program organization there may be more than one funding model at work. Some programs can attract government funding or rely upon reimbursements for services rendered, while others receive general subsidy from individuals, foundations, and/or corporations. This article provides an overview of the ten basic models, along with examples. In addition, the article cites some of the competencies that an organization must have it is going to pursue a particular model. While the authors have looked primarily at large nonprofits, $10 million or more a year in annual revenue, this approach in important to smaller organizations that are trying to find a way to grow and thrive.

Second: The Nonprofit Starvation Cycle

This article makes the case for more support for general operating revenue. At the same time, it challenges nonprofits to be more forthcoming in both understanding and communicating their essential costs to funders. Without good information, funders support programs that appear less costly, but in reality these projects may not represent a cost savings.

Third: Social Entrepreneurship Revisited
The essential lesson of this short article is that if a nonprofit wishes to pursue social entrepreneurship, it must act differently than traditional nonprofits. That also means attracting the right personalities to the organization, both as staff and key volunteers.

Fourth: Fundraising in Tough Times
This article provides a good base for looking ahead in tough times. It reminds the reader of some ideas that may get lost in the push and pull of everyday work. But those ideas are critical to surviving in a challenging environment.

And fifth: The Profit in Nonprofit
This article raises great questions about the nonprofit sector in general that organizations should be asking of themselves. It can be easy to take nonprofit status for granted and forget the benefits and obligations of that status. More important it can serve an organization well to ask those questions of its activities from time to time. It’s only by asking such questions that we can begin thinking outside of the box that sometimes restrains us.