 |
 |
|
Questions the board and management should be asking each other
As part of any feasibility study for a major campaign, or even for annual fundraising planning, it is timely to verify that the multi-year financial plan for your organization remains valid and relevant. Below is a menu of questions to be sure of the financial context which your fundraising plan must complement.
- Is service demand likely to grow in future years? If so, does your budget start planning for that growth?
- Will current grant and philanthropic efforts adequately support such growth? What does the proposed budget do to back those efforts? Will the level of service delivery and/or the financial condition fostered by this budget encourage or discourage donors and grantors in providing the level of gifts anticipated in the budget and plan?
- Will any of your facilities need significant repair or modification in the next few years? If so, do you expect to perform those repairs? How will you pay for them if you do and what are the consequences if you don't?
- Will you use some of your savings now or in the near future? If so, do you have a plan of action to have sufficient savings set aside in time?
- Do you anticipate borrowing now or in the near future? If so, are you fostering good banking relationships and getting your balance sheet into a lender-appealing shape?
- How do you expect your environment to change in the next few years? More or fewer clients or patrons? A different client or patron profile?
- Will it be easier or more difficult to obtain government support?
- Are your donors likely to be able to sustain or increase giving?
- Will other nonprofits be undertaking major fundraising campaigns that may draw on your donor pool?
- Will your costs grow over the next few years? Can your fee structure support that growth? Do other revenue sources also need to grow?
|  |
|
|  |
