Sustainability in Practice Practical Approaches to Funding Evolving Programs The Nonprofit Partnership June 21, 2011.

Sustainability in Practice

Practical Approaches to Funding Evolving Programs

The Nonprofit PartnershipJune 21, 2011

Considerations When Defunding Looms

• How central is the program to your mission?

• What are the outcomes?

• Is the need still strong?

• Is it central to a key organizational strategy?

• Is there crucial talent you can’t afford to lose?

• Does it have a marketing message that will resonate with the community?

Weighing These Factors Yields Options

• We need to find a way to sustain this program.• It’s useful, but we don’t need to do it.• Let it go (and celebrate it for doing its job.)

Considerations for Sustaining

• What’s the scope?– Key staff members– Critical sites– Essential partners– Size of the program

++++++++++++++++

Answer these questions with key stakeholders to determine optimum size and scope.

Sources for Sustainability

• Government grants

• Foundation and corporate support

• Individual giving

• Events

• Fee-for-Service and Earned Revenue

• United Way / community federation

• Reserves and Endowment

Government Grants

• Identify stable, recurring streams of funding whenever possible:– PA Tax Credit

Programs– Federal CDBG (City)– Nutrition programs– County Gaming

Revenue

Foundation & Corporate Support

• For foundations, cast a wide net that captures old friends and new prospects – address in rotation as your program continues to evolve.

• For corporations, be open to options other than the outright grant: sponsorship, co-marketing, and volunteer time.

Individual Giving

• Build a base of stakeholders that extends beyond your agency’s core base:– Past participants– Families of those served– Affinity audiences

• Develop a case and mobilize and execute an annual campaign.

Fee-for Service and Earned Revenue

• Client self-pay / User fees• Medical/clinical reimbursement streams• Consultation / curriculum sales• Program products / social enterprise• Collaborating partners purchase services

United Way Community Federation

• United Way member organization

• Participation in special projects and open RFPs.

• Erie Gives Day• Highmark Walk• ……..

Reserves / Endowment

• Emergency sources to address one-time shortfalls.

• Adding to endowment over time or with a large one-time gift can create additional revenue stream.

Case ExampleA+ Adventure Program

• Originally funded through a 3 year Federal Demonstration grant @ $150,000 / year.

++++++++++++++++++• Right-sizing

considerations brought the target budget down to $95,000 /year.

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20,000

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A B C D E F

• A = Government• B= Foundation/Corporate• C = Individuals• D = Fee-For-Service• E = Events• F = United Way