In Search of Sustainability

I read a blog entry that really got me thinking on this topic.  I have been writing grant requests for six years, and I have yet to encounter one that does not demand to know what my plan is for future sustainability. Sometimes I am tempted to write the truth: I have no idea.

That doesn't mean my organization is not doing good work, nor does it mean that I don't have a development plan.  However, non-profits are just that: not for profit.  That means that the only product we create is social good.  Now, that is a great product.  But you can't sell it (certainly my clients will never sustain the organization), and it can be very difficult to measure (if thanks to my organization someone only gets somewhat sick instead of very sick, how does that get quantified?).

What does that leave me with?  I can do a fund raiser (check), I can start a young professionals group (check), I can personally cultivate donors (check - please, write me a check), and I can write more grants (triple check). 

Of course, I could start some kind or revenue generating enterprise as an earned-income strategies for which my organization has no expertise in, but what sense does that really make? It takes me off mission and diverts resources that should be going towards making us the best in our chosen area.  And anyway, God forbid that I would actually be too sustainable, which would lead some to question if we're really a non-profit.

So how would I really like to answer the sustainability question?  Like this.  My staff and I are gong to do everything in our power to have as much impact and effect as much change as possible.  We are going to contain costs, mitigate risk, maximize efficiency, and do highest quality work possible with the talent we have.  After that, our sustainability is up to you.  My part of the bargain is to make the world better today than it was yesterday, if only by a bit (which some days represents a triumph of great proportions).  Your part, dear supporters, is to reward our ingenuity, passion, and results with the funds to make us sustainable.  Otherwise you'll find yourselves back at square one, wondering why these darn non-profits never seem to stick around.

DISCLAIMER: All opinions in this blog are solely my own. They are not to be construed as reflecting the views or carrying the endorsement of my employer, its supporters, or its staff.