What's the best way to use social impact funding?

1 Identify your impact goals

Before you seek or accept any funding, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to accomplish with your social impact project or organization. What are the specific problems you are trying to solve, and for whom? What are the indicators or metrics that will show your progress and impact? How will you measure and report them? Having a well-defined theory of change and a logic model can help you articulate your impact goals and align them with your activities and resources.

2 Choose the right funding model

Not all funding sources are created equal, and not all of them will suit your needs and expectations. Depending on your stage of development, your target market, your revenue model, and your social impact objectives, you may opt for different types of funding, such as grants, debt, equity, or hybrid models. For example, grants may be ideal for early-stage or non-profit ventures that need to test their ideas or scale their impact, while equity may be more suitable for ventures that have a proven business model and a potential for high growth and returns. You should also consider the terms and conditions of each funding option, such as the repayment schedule, the interest rate, the ownership stake, the governance structure, and the reporting requirements.

3 Build trust and transparency

One of the key factors that can influence your success in securing and using social impact funding is the level of trust and transparency you establish with your funders and stakeholders. You should communicate openly and honestly about your goals, achievements, challenges, and learnings, and demonstrate how you are using the funds to create positive social or environmental change. You should also seek feedback and input from your funders and stakeholders, and show how you are incorporating their suggestions and recommendations into your actions and decisions. By building trust and transparency, you can foster a collaborative and supportive relationship with your funders and stakeholders, and increase your chances of securing more funding or referrals in the future.

4 Learn and adapt

Social impact funding is not a one-time transaction, but a continuous process of learning and adapting. You should constantly monitor and evaluate your performance and impact, and use the data and insights you collect to improve your strategies and operations. You should also be flexible and responsive to the changing needs and preferences of your beneficiaries, customers, partners, and funders, and be ready to pivot or scale your project or organization accordingly. By learning and adapting, you can ensure that you are using your social impact funding effectively and efficiently, and that you are maximizing your social or environmental impact.

5 Share your story

Finally, one of the best ways to use your social impact funding is to share your story with the world. You should showcase your achievements and impact, as well as your challenges and learnings, through various channels and platforms, such as your website, social media, newsletters, blogs, podcasts, videos, or events. You should also highlight the role and contribution of your funders and stakeholders, and acknowledge their support and partnership. By sharing your story, you can raise awareness and interest in your project or organization, attract more funding and opportunities, inspire and engage others, and contribute to the social impact ecosystem.

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?