Human Needs Translated to the Social Sector

Tony Robbins proposed there are six human needs. He defined them as follows:

1. Certainty: assurance you can avoid pain and gain pleasure
2. Uncertainty/Variety: the need for the unknown, change, new stimuli
3. Significance: feeling unique, important, special or needed
4. Connection/Love: a strong feeling of closeness or union with someone or something
5. Growth: an expansion of capacity, capability or understanding
6. Contribution: a sense of service and focus on helping, giving to and supporting others

If we overlap the six human needs with the social sector, there are interesting alignments.

Certainly= endowment, balance budget, founder still engaged, sustainability, cautious resource allocation.

Uncertainty/Variety= Executive Director transition, new program launch, board member rotation, deficit budget, mergers, new grant application

Significance= awards, accrediation, recognition from political and business leaders, bequests, waiting list for board service, sold out programs

Connection= strategic partnership, social media followers, gala fundraiser, requests to partner with other organizations, online groups

Growth= capital campaign, hire more staff, expand geographic service area, expand board, new organizational lifecycle

Contribution= annual report, services and programs, community engagement, grants, financial aid, free programs

What would you add to the list?

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