Nonprofits Are Not Immune

Will things get worse or get better?  How long will it take?  Will we be able to survive?  These are just a few questions that keep many nonprofit leaders from getting a good night’s sleep these days.  Like it or not, nonprofits are like any other business and are not immune from the effects of today’s economy.

by Joyce Malin, President, Custom Writing Services, Inc.
August 2008 Nonprofit Network News
Nonprofits help the economy thrive in a variety of ways.  The important work you do touches
lives that you are not even aware of.  The availability of funding support for nonprofits continues
to ebb and flow while the need for their work becomes even more crucial.  The role of local
philanthropy becomes even more vital to stem off immediate crises while governmental and
private foundation grants continue to be another important source of ongoing support.
When it comes to relying on grant support, long-term planning is key to an organization’s
sustainability.  Grants cannot be counted on for a “quick fix.”  Once a grant has been submitted it
may take anywhere from three months to a year to learn if your organization will be receiving an
award.  A clear strategy should be in place targeting those funders whose mission clearly relates
to yours. 
Many prefer to fund projects and programs rather than operations. Can you structure your grant
to incorporate a portion of existing operational costs needed to implement the project?  Can you
clearly document the need and how the project clearly relates to your short and long-term goals?
Is your budget realistic? Do you have collaborative partners involved or in support of your
project?  Do you have an evaluation process in place?  How will you be able to sustain the
project or does it have a fixed timeline?  Is other staff willing to provide timely information
needed for the grant writing process?  Whether you are writing grants internally or using an
outside source, these are just a few of the questions that should be addressed early on. 
While an organization cannot survive on grants alone, they can be a vital resource in fulfilling
your mission.

Custom Writing Services, Inc. has been providing customized grant research, training, and
development services to nonprofits in the Vancouver/Portland area since 2002 with expertise in
both federal and private foundation grants.  Its president, Joyce Malin, has over 20 years of
hands-on experience in working for and with nonprofits in a variety of sectors, including social
and health services, historical preservation, higher education, and local government.  For more
information, contact or 360-737-8502.