How to Sustain our Work Sustain Programs, Increase Impact

Presenters Davies and Associates Carol Smith Davies, MPA Joan A. Minasian, MA Allison Hensleit, MBA

Housekeeping

Learning Objectives Participants will… Learn how to identify & develop a funding model Practice how to methodically assess funding opportunities; Increase use of an intentional approach of where and how to invest in development capabilities; Be able to support organizational alignment to attract dollars to achieve programatic aspirations.

What IS Sustainability

Sustainability in Non Profits Study of 2,000 organizations – TCC Group Are you financially sustainable? Leadership

Sustainability in Non Profits Sustainable CredibilityReputationCapacity High- quality LearningStrategicReflective

What is Sustainability Leadership Adaptability Program Capacity Sustainability

The Sustainability Formula - Leadership

The Sustainability Formula – Financial Adaptability

The Sustainability Formula – Program Adaptability

The Sustainability Formula – Program Capacity

Recommendations for Sustainability

It’s a Paradox

Characteristics of Funding Model Type of funding Single type Funding decision makers Dictate flow Funder motivation Natural matches

Finding Your Funding Model 1 Analyze your current approach to funding 2 Learn from the funding approaches of peers 3 Identify and narrow your range of funding model options 4 Evaluate the revenue potential and costs of short-list funding models 5 Select funding models to implement 6 Develop an implementation plan

Why bother?

Are you ready? Financial distress? Annual revenues? Clear goals? Willing to make investments?

Smaller organizations? Natural matches Who are decision makers Why do they support Identify Invest Share the work

Tips for getting started Clarify your goals Organize your resources The TeamThe timeline The steering committee

Sample Workplan

In review 1.What is your ultimate goal for this process? 2.What are your organization’s short-term and long-term goals? 3.Where is there disagreement or lack of clarity in your organization around those goals? 4.Are you clear on the roles and responsibilities your staff will play as you work to establish a funding model for your organization?

1 Analyze your current approach to funding Analyze historical financials Understand motivation of current funders Understand your current capacity Share what you have learned with internal stakeholders Determine sources most attractive to explore

2 Learn from the funding approaches of peers Identify small group of peers Determine essential characteristics Identify key programmatic, financial & governance differences

Peer benchmarking interviews Identify the right contact point Be upfront Make connections Make it a two-way street Share results Respect their time

3 Identify and narrow your range of funding model options Identify funding models used by peers What is feasible for you?

Example: Public Provider

Example: Policy Innovator

4 Evaluate the revenue potential and costs of short-list funding models Availability Fit Investments

5 Select funding models to implement Don’t throw baby out with bath water

6 Develop an implementation plan Investments Steps and milestones Learn and adjust Communicate, communicate, communicate

Sample model and milestones

1 Analyze your current approach to funding 2 Learn from the funding approaches of peers 3 Identify and narrow your range of funding model options 4 Evaluate the revenue potential and costs of short-list funding models 5 Select funding models to implement 6 Develop an implementation plan

Resources Federal government grant resources Private giving Sustainability research/Informing Social Change tccgrp.com/pdfs/SustainabilityFormula.pdf Ssireview.org Stanford Social Innovation Review This presentation was created by California/Nevada Community Action Partnership in performance of the California Department of Community Services and Development CSBG Discretionary Grant #13F Any opinions, findings, and conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

Learning Objectives Participants will… Learn how to identify & develop a funding model Practice how to methodically assess funding opportunities; Increase use of an intentional approach of where and how to invest in development capabilities; Be able to support organizational alignment to attract dollars to achieve programmatic aspirations.