How do you create a grant sustainability plan that keeps your program running after the grant?

1 Define your sustainability goals

The first step in creating a grant sustainability plan is to define what sustainability means for your program. How do you measure the impact and outcomes of your program? What are the indicators of success and quality? How do you communicate your results and achievements to your stakeholders and donors? What are the ongoing costs and resources needed to maintain and improve your program? By answering these questions, you can set clear and realistic goals for your program's sustainability and align them with your mission and vision.

2 Identify your potential sources of income

The next step is to identify and diversify your potential sources of income for your program. Grants are one form of income, but they are not the only one. You can also explore other options, such as individual donations, corporate sponsorships, fee-for-service, in-kind support, crowdfunding, events, and partnerships. Each source has its own advantages and disadvantages, so you need to weigh them carefully and match them with your program's needs and capacities. You also need to research the market and competition, and identify the gaps and opportunities where your program can add value and attract funding.

3 Develop your fundraising strategy

Once you have identified your potential sources of income, you need to develop a fundraising strategy that outlines how you will approach and secure them. Your fundraising strategy should include the following elements: a fundraising goal, a target audience, a value proposition, a fundraising message, a fundraising plan, and a fundraising budget. Your fundraising goal should be SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound). Your target audience should be segmented and prioritized based on their interests, needs, and motivations. Your value proposition should highlight the benefits and impact of your program and how it differs from others. Your fundraising message should be clear, compelling, and consistent across different channels and platforms. Your fundraising plan should detail the actions, timelines, responsibilities, and resources for each fundraising activity. Your fundraising budget should estimate the costs and revenues of each fundraising activity and monitor the return on investment.

4 Build your relationships and networks

Another key component of your grant sustainability plan is to build and maintain strong relationships and networks with your current and potential funders, partners, and supporters. You need to cultivate trust, rapport, and loyalty with them by communicating regularly, reporting on your progress and impact, acknowledging their contributions, seeking their feedback and input, and providing them with opportunities to engage and participate in your program. You also need to expand your reach and visibility by networking with other organizations, influencers, media, and community leaders who can help you promote your program and connect you with new funders and partners.

5 Evaluate and adapt your plan

Finally, you need to evaluate and adapt your grant sustainability plan as you implement it and learn from your experiences and results. You need to track and measure your progress and performance against your sustainability goals and indicators, and use data and evidence to inform your decisions and actions. You also need to review and update your plan regularly, and adjust it to the changing needs and contexts of your program and your funders and partners. You need to be flexible and creative, and embrace new opportunities and challenges that may arise along the way.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?