Continuing beyond the current grant.
WHAT THE COMMON PATTERN IS
Organisations moving from grant to grant, never secure.
WHAT THAT PRODUCES
Programmes shaped by funding rather than need Staff on short contracts No reserves Founder exhaustion
WHAT TO PURSUE
Diversified income.
WHAT DIVERSIFICATION MEANS
Several funders Different types of income No single source dominating
WHAT PROPORTION FROM ONE SOURCE IS RISKY
Enough that losing it would end you.
WHAT TO BUILD
Unrestricted income Reserves Earned income, where consistent with the purpose
WHAT EARNED INCOME MIGHT BE
Charging those who can pay Selling training or services Products connected to the work
WHAT TO ESTABLISH BEFORE STARTING ANY
That it is permitted by your objects That it will not distort the purpose That it will actually generate surplus
WHY THAT LAST POINT
Nonprofit trading ventures frequently lose money.
WHAT TO BUILD ORGANISATIONALLY
Systems that do not depend on one person Documented processes Developed staff A functioning board
WHY THOSE
They are what allows the organisation to continue.
WHAT TO PLAN
What happens when the founder steps back.
WHAT TO ACCEPT
That sustainability is built deliberately over years, not found.
WHAT TO REVIEW ANNUALLY
Income concentration and reserve levels.
