Recently a nonprofit organization asked me for some help. Their funding sources were drying up. Without a change, the organization would not be able to continue helping others.
I put together some questions to help the organization and me better understand why the funding sources were disappearing and what steps could be taken to remedy the situation. This list is a summary of what I asked on the spot:
- What has been your sources of funding and do you know some of the reasons for the resources drying up over the years?
- Do you have a strategic plan? If not, why? If so, is it being followed and does it need to be updated?
- Does the organization have a board? If no, why not? If yes, what are the board members' responsibilities regarding fundraising?
- Does the organization manage volunteers? Are they viewed as an extension to the organization's staff? Are they provided opportunities to take on more responsibilities with the organization?
- Are staff, board members and volunteers trained and provided the tools to spread the word about the cause and mission of the organization?
- Have several "human interest" success stories been documented and used in marketing efforts?
- What fundraising efforts have occurred in the past? Which worked and which ones were lackluster? Why?
- Is the organization website professional-looking, uncluttered, designed from the perspective of the user, have an easy/online method for making donations and signing up for more info on every page?
- What other nonprofit organizations is your organization collaborating or teaming with in a win-win way?
What do you think about this list of questions? Would you revise some of these or add other questions to the list? Please submit a comment with your thoughts.
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How about adding if the organization is taking advantage of social media?
Blogs, Facebook, and Twitter can be powerful tools in spreading awareness of a cause and raising money.
This is an excellent list of questions. Best discussed at a special meeting(s) with top leaders of the organization and led by an outside facilitator.
How did this go over with the group you were talking with?
Joe, That is a great addition to the questions. The use of social media is one of the things to listen for when tools for fundraising and spreading awareness are discussed.
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for the encouraging comment. Some of the comments certainly revealed areas where improvement should be very beneficial. That is the easier part. Finding the willingness to change can be the most difficult part.
Great post, Roger. Very timely too, as the CHD Foundation too is facing a drying up of donation funds lately. Will put these questions to work in my organization, and hopefully report back on improvements that result. Thanks for sharing.
All success
Dr.Mani
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