Feb 11, 2025
"Winning isn't important, but by how much" – this motto is followed by Edita Mrkousová, the executive director of the Patron dětí foundation, which promotes a business-like approach in the world of the non-profit sector. And it works. In seven years of the foundation's existence, it has helped more than 22 thousand children and distributed 171 million crowns among them. But how to ensure that help actually goes to those who need it? And how to connect strict corporate governance with empathy and a charitable mission?
Watch the interview on YouTube:
In the podcast with Ivana Karhanová, Edita reveals that the foundation's success does not rely solely on the goodwill of donors but also on precisely set processes. "We are a factory for collecting children's stories," she says. The non-profit is managed like an efficient company – with clear goals, KPIs, and strict risk management. Every application goes through a thorough vetting process: parents can apply for support repeatedly, but they must prove that it is a genuine need. The patrons, or guarantors of the requests, are teachers, social workers, or coaches – but never family members. And the money? It does not go to parents but directly to services, such as tuition, clubs, or medical aids.
Although the non-profit sector is often associated with ideas of slowness and inefficiency, Patron dětí sets a different standard. "We are not an organization where we light a candle in the morning and wait to see how it turns out," explains Mrkousová. The most significant KPI that the entire organization adheres to is the share of costs, which is a maximum of 20% – an exceptionally efficient performance.
In the interview, the topic of personal motivation also comes up. Mrkousová admits that transitioning from the corporate world to the non-profit sector was a challenge for her, but she now knows that both environments share one thing: the right setting of goals and the willingness to pursue them. And as she says, "Helping just a hundred children a year? That's not enough. In the Czech Republic, there are 300 thousand children who need our help."
What else will you find answers to in the podcast?
How to ensure that support reaches the right children and there is no misuse of assistance?
What are the main obstacles faced by non-profit organizations, and how do they overcome them?
Why do some families feel ashamed to ask for help and how to convince them that they have the right to it?
How does technology help in more efficient management of the non-profit sector?
And why was she chosen as the leader of this foundation?
The podcast is an inspiration for everyone who wants to understand what a modern non-profit sector can look like, where emotions and hard data go hand in hand.