There seem to be several recurring themes or problems common to most smaller community organisations - and often some larger ones too! These issues can be extremely damaging but there's good news: there are solutions.
All of these issues create major barriers to building capacity and sustainability. But if you sort these things out and "line up your ducks", you will enjoy much greater success for much less effort.
The following points summarise these common issues:
POINT 1.
We have great ideas. We do good work. How come we have to struggle every day to make ends meet?
But when we look closely at the way in which their group operates it usually clear that the "struggle" is due to a few specific patterns of behaviour that, if modified, can have a major positive effect on how the organisation moves forward.
One of the biggest problems is the lack of an agreed, shared plan.
Another is the need for solid strategic understanding about how funding from different sources fits together... not as hard as it sounds.
And still another is an absence of proof that what the organisation is currently doing actually works.
None of these things are particularly hard but the most common response I hear is....
"I don't have the time!"
If you don't take the time to plan you will waste a lot more time heading in the wrong direction. Guaranteed. I know it's easy for me to say but you have to take that time out to plan. If you don't you'll end up burnt out or thrown out.
Planning saves time. It helps to clarify goals. It allows you to reflect on and celebrate the achievement of goals. It stops you wasting energy. It takes others with you.
There are many reasons for constructing shared, agreed plans. Too many to list. But the main ones are - accountability, transparency, good management, staff motivation and retention, social responsibility, resource allocation... need I say more.
POINT 2.
We have a plan but no-one seems to care about it.
A plan might be something you already think is in place... but has it been developed with consultation? Is it agreed and shared? Do people have pride in the plan? Is it easily accessed?
My observation is that many organisations that think they have a plan actually have a pile of paper that no-one looks at. Or that nobody can see because it is in a filing cabinet. Truly it does happen! Or a document that has not been broken down into actions and accountabilities. So where is the motivation to act?
Sometimes people in different areas interpret plans differently and can swing the organisation wildly off course.
Having all of this in place sets up the foundation for developing a more robust funding base. Sometimes the plan is only known to a few people. Share it, get input, but manage the process - otherwise you'll end up with a very long gab fest.
Then hold people accountable to their part in the plan. Use proper review processes to measure your progress. And CELEBRATE achievements as much as you can. POINT 3.
We've told heaps of people about what we do but no-one gives us any money!
Maybe everything else is in place but one major thing gets overlooked.
No-one asks for money or they do it in the wrong way.
You know the vast majority of people when questioned as to why they did not give money to an organisation they were considering supporting responded by saying they had not been asked! They did not give because they were not asked.
A lot of the time - and I have witnessed this on numerous occasions - people in community organisations get the right people to come along and see their work. They say and do all the right things. The potential supporter goes away with a good feeling about the work of the organisation and the people they have met.
The end.
Great story huh? But a tragic ending.
In pretty much all cases, when a funder comes to see you they have to be asked for their support. If you have difficulty with this ... get help. Learn some tips like sending a follow up letter after the meeting with information about a current program for which you are seeking financial support. Or you can ask a board member to attend with you and do the asking (yes indeed, that is something board members should be doing).
POINT 4.
We don't want to ask the same people again.
Get over that! Use the money well and let people know what you have done.
Usually people who support you will do so again. If you don't need more money (!) it is still proper and necessary to send a report.
If you do need more money they will consider you more favourably if you have shared your achievements with them and accounted for their donation - big or small.
POINT 5.
Most people have never heard of us.
Clearly communicate your achievements to everyone - both internally and externally. This helps to spread the word, build your credibility and generate more support.
Tell the local newspapers and invite them in for a photo opportunity. Take advantage of free advertising deals with newspapers. Invite your supporters to an event (perhaps a celebration of what their money has helped you to achieve) and ask them to bring a friend, appoint patrons and ambassadors and get them talking about you in their networks....
Check out http://www.gettingattention.org/
Look at how successful organisations communicate their achievements. Learn from them.
Make sure all of your communications are professional and consistent. Ask someone outside the organisation to check your communications documents and remove all jargon, verbosity, spelling errors.
In all of this the key component is passion.
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