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More Than Money 
It's About Money and Much More


May 2013
Need to Know
Reframing Funding
Beyond the Buzz
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Link to AFP article:
Reframing Funding

Greetings!

  Bruce Arbit photo 

New and not-so-new terms continue to pop up everywhere: impact investing; social investing; community investing; blended capital; philanthrocapitalism; complete capital; social enterprise; social entrepreneurship; social impact bonds; collective impact; and many, many more. Melarbit throws around a few of these words itself at times. Receiving much less attention is what this all means for you and the issues you care about. In this edition of More Than Money we ask, what's all the buzz about? As always we welcome your thoughts and inquiries.
 


Bruce Arbit
Founder and President, Melarbit Partners, Inc.


Reframing Funding

Complex problems require robust solutions that often extend beyond pure philanthropy. Increasingly, there is a recognition that we need to look at a variety of integrated activities and funding solutions across a spectrum of capital for social good in order to address social problems and deliver impact.  Click here to learn more. Beyond the buzz, these new terms reflect a search for new options and ultimately solutions to our most pressing social/environmental issues. Read more at Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) website and at Stanford Social Innovation Review

 

GrocerBeyond the Buzz
Change is difficult. Determining where to start is often the hardest part. Here's some ideas to get you going:

 

Start with where you are by building off of current plans. A strategic or business plan is the best way to engage key stakeholders and secure buy-in. Any new funding strategy must be based on a compelling vision and clear value proposition in order to activate those who are most committed to your success. 

 

Think Differently. It's hard to know what you want without knowing what is possible. Check out these resources and case studies to expand your understanding and see these new approaches in action. 

 

Start Small. Beginning with one specific program, project or intiative is often the most effective way to begin thinking about and testing a new revenue generating approach. Use the information you learn to inform future efforts.

 

Act Locally. The true test of any social impact investing initiative is how it benefits a community or specific population you are committed to. Consider opening a conversation about needs and opportunities by convening a group of local stakeholders

 

Taking advantage of new funding/finance strategies need not be complicated. In fact most of these approaches are built on established practice. Most importantly is to open dialogue and to take action. What's new about that?!


About Us
Melarbit Partners is a fundraising consulting and community investing firm that raises money and leverages resources for mission-based enterprises, entrepreneurs and investors. Our work is based on more than 25 years of direct fundraising, marketing and management experience, along with innovations in philanthropy and a community investing discipline. Learn more at melarbit.com