Every not-for-profit has a similar story. Everyone wants to provide for their community as well as possible, garner as much support for them as circumstances allow, and stretch their resources as far as they can. Therefore, it is wise to examine whether there is room to build on an organisation’s fundraising capacity to let more of the good work continue.

Let’s look at five places there might be room to stretch your fundraising wings.

1. Discover Different Income Streams

Think outside the box for where more money could come from. Is there something your group could create to sell for revenue? Or something they can produce themselves that they are currently paying others for? A shelter in Montreal, Quebec found they could grow enough vegetables in their back lot to supplement the running of the kitchen, and several months a year even had extra produce they could sell.

2. Make Sure Foundation is On-side

Sometimes, organisations that are funded by foundations come to discover they are at cross purposes with the foundation, and monies are being steered in directions that are not completely effective. Make sure you have open and honest dialogue about where your funds are coming from, and an independent board to oversee the programs and the allocations of funds.

3. Double-check Tradition

Longstanding history is, unfortunately, not always the best indicator of how things will go in the future. In fundraising, especially, is it prudent to make sure efforts are driven in profitable directions, and fad and fashion of the times can dictate how effective various events will be. Make sure your organisation is not holding annual events that are no longer generating financial support, just because they “have always done this”.

4. Is Your Technology Working?

Every single not-for-profit group or organisation should have a web page and a social media presence. If you are not online in a colourful, personable and multimedia way, you are missing big opportunities to gain contributions from a very wide audience. Prioritise getting a presence online so you can freely spread your message.

5. If it Ain’t Broke, Expand It

Examine the fundraising efforts that have been the most successful in the last few years. Is there room for any of them to grow? Can the community garage sale run for two days instead of one? Can the walk-a-thon include a category for pets? Whatever your community enjoys and supports, find a way to give them more of it, and you can be sure they will reach deeper into their wallets in return.

To read more about building capacity in fundraising, and even funding that growth from the inside, have a look at Blue Avocado’s article.