HayDay Services is bringing y ou a series of “how-to” articles related to successful grant development.
Part 8: Sustainability
On more extensive grant proposals, there’s almost always at least one of those dreaded questions: “How will your agency continue this program after the grant funds are spent?”
But what if you could go beyond answering these questions and help your organization build sustainability into its core strategies? Then, you could strengthen our grant applications and contribute to your organization’s long-term success. This is an overview of how to make this happen. But first, a few definitions.
1. Financial sustainability
2. Programmatic sustainability
3. Organizational sustainability
4. Community impact sustainability
Here are some ways grant professionals can help incorporate sustainability into their organization’s strategic planning:
1. Advocate for a Sustainability Lens in Planning Sessions
As a grant professional, you have unique insights into what funders seek regarding sustainability. Use this knowledge to advocate for sustainability discussions in strategic planning sessions. Encourage leadership to consider long-term viability in all decision-making processes.
2. Promote Diversification of Funding Sources
One of the critical aspects of financial sustainability is having diverse funding sources. According to Giving USA, most funding at US nonprofits comes from individuals, not grants. Although revenue proportions will vary depending on the nonprofit and the community served, exploring all relevant fundraising opportunities is critical. During strategic planning, push for goals related to:
– Expanding individual donor bases
– Developing earned income streams, where feasible
– Building corporate partnerships
– Research new grant opportunities—back with agency resources for the time and cost to complete this!
3. Emphasize Capacity Building
Sustainable organizations invest in their capacity. Suggest including objectives for staff development, technology upgrades, and process improvements in the strategic plan.
4. Encourage Community Engagement Strategies
Sustainable programs have strong community buy-in. Propose strategies for deepening community relationships, such as:
– Regular community needs assessments
– Collaborative programming with other local organizations
– Volunteer engagement initiatives
5. Suggest Impact Measurement Frameworks
Funders want to see that programs make a lasting difference. Advocate for developing robust impact measurement systems that track short-term and long-term outcomes.
6. Promote Adaptability and Innovation
Sustainable organizations can adapt to changing circumstances. Encourage the inclusion of innovation goals in the strategic plan, such as piloting new programs or exploring emerging technologies.
Once sustainability is woven into your organization’s strategic plan, you’ll find it easier to answer those tricky sustainability questions in grant proposals. Here’s how:
1. Cite Your Strategic Plan: When asked about sustainability, reference specific goals and objectives from your strategic plan that address long-term viability.
2. Highlight Diverse Funding: Showcase your organization’s commitment to diverse funding streams as outlined in your strategic plan. Be sure to include in-kind contributions and partnerships.
3. Show Adaptability: Reference your organization’s innovation goals to demonstrate your ability to adapt and remain relevant.
5. Provide Data: Use your impact measurement framework to provide concrete data on your organization’s long-term effectiveness.
6. Emphasize Capacity: Highlight your organization’s commitment to internal capacity building as a key factor in ensuring programmatic sustainability.
This proactive approach will impress funders and help ensure your organization can continue its vital work for years. As grant professionals, we’re not just attaching forms and answering questions on forms—we’re strategic partners in our organizations’ success. By championing sustainability in strategic planning, we can be essential in building more robust, more resilient nonprofits that transform communities.
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