5 ways to make a grant program sustainable

Grant funders want to make a lasting impact on our world, but they typically only offer grant funding for a few years. Whether or not they require grant proposals to address sustainability - it's important to funders, and it is important to your organization that your proposal provides a useful plan sustain the impacts of your program well beyond the period of funding.

There are a couple of arguments that are not helpful. A: Your agency will reallocate existing funds to continue the project... If your agency can reallocate funds, then why do you need the grant? B: Your agency will secure another grant to continue the project... It is unlikely that you will find another grant that will be a good match and that is available at the right time.

Don't describe a plan to delay sustaining your program until the end of the funding - describe a plan to start sustainability on day one of the grant.

Start by describing your existing resources, including: talented and experienced staff, adequate facilities, necessary equipment, training and/or materials needed for the project, a supportive management infrastructure (e.g., HR, Accounting, Marketing), and partnerships with other organizations. Here are five arguments to consider including in the sustainability section of your next grant proposal:

1. Personnel will have received additional training they need to continue the project.
2. Equipment and/or materials/supplies will have been acquired to continue the project.
3. Changes in management structure and/or policies will have been completed that support continuing the project.
4. New partnerships will have been formed to support the project.
5. Explain that sustainability planning will be conducted throughout your project (rather than at the end).