For the Artemis II, failure was not an option.
The mission’s success rests on multiple backup systems. Prior to take off, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared that they “do everything we can to bring risk as close to zero as we possibly can”.
For example, if the main spacecraft engine fails en route, a pre-calculated “free-return” trajectory guides the vehicle around the Moon and back to Earth.
Your nonprofit mission is critical. And at risk. What happens when a leader leaves? What if funding suddenly drops? Your ability to serve clients and stakeholders depends on built-in redundancies.
Consider your back up systems in the following areas:
Staffing & Personnel
You need multiple people capable of critical tasks. Cross-train employees to handle key functions. For example, a development associate might be trained on how to process payroll, or a communications team member could learn how to manage the donor database. This ensures operations continue smoothly if the lead staff member is sick or departs.
💡Tip: Document all critical processes. Ensure every key procedure, from grant reporting to bank reconciliations, is written down and accessible. This guarantees essential functions do not walk out the door with an exiting employee.
Data & Technology
Your organization must ensure data continuity. Implement cloud-based backups for all sensitive donor, financial, and client data. This protects against hardware failure or a cyberattack.
➡️ Example: If your donor management system goes down due to a local server failure, a cloud backup allows staff to immediately restore the database and keep the year-end appeal on track.
When you are considering new systems, check out our user-friendly guide: Thinking of Implementing a New Digitial Tool? Your Guide to Asking the Right Questions.
💡Tip: Schedule automatic, nightly backups and test your restoration process every quarter. Also, be sure to record passwords and login credentials somewhere others can access, if need be!
Financial & Funding
Your financial health must not rely on a single source. Develop a diverse income stream—grants, individual donors, and earned income—to avoid reliance on a single funding source.
💡Tip: Identify your “mission-critical” roles and programs. Know where you can consolidate or pause non-essential programs if funds run low, giving you a financial “free-return” plan.
Leadership & Governance
Your Leadership & Governance structure must be stable. Ensure the board has a clear, written succession plan in place to maintain stability and prevent mission drift during transitions.
➡️ Example: If the long-time Executive Director announces departure, an established succession plan outlines who takes on interim leadership, who manages external communication, and the immediate steps for recruitment.
💡Tip: Be transparent with staff and stakeholders about the need for restructuring or preparing backup plans.
By building thoughtful backup systems, you ensure your mission won’t be derailed by the inevitable failures of a single system. While you may not be literally orbiting the moon, all nonprofit missions are both critical and awe-inspiring in their humanity.
Learn more about NASA’s systems for keeping the astronauts safe.
