Does the United States have too many nonprofit groups?

Rosetta Thurman, a nonprofit consultant who writes the blog Perspectives From the Pipeline, argues that the quality of work done by charitable organizations is more important than the quantity.

She writes that, “Too many people want to start their own organizations without thinking of the consequences.”

Citing tight competition for donors and a “war for talent and quality employees,” she believes that organizations operating in communities with similar missions may only be hurting each other by duplicating resources. “Now you know I’m not saying nonprofits need to go away,” she writes. “I’m just saying let’s not start any more until we can sustain and maximize the impact of the ones we’ve already got.”

Taking it one step further, Ms. Thurman offers “five reasons you shouldn’t start your own nonprofit.”

She reminds entrepreneurs to remember that “even if you think your idea for social change is the best ever in the world, there is at least a handful of organizations already doing this work.”

So what is left for the hopeful social entrepreneur? Find a nonprofit organization in your community that is already working on the problem you want to solve and “link up with them to be an employee or volunteer, or join their board,” Ms. Thurman pleads.

What do you think? Should people be discouraged from starting nonprofit groups? Click on the comments link below and share your thoughts.