HHS Sustainability Toolkit
Part 1: Introduction
This week we will give a general overview on the definition of sustainability and why it is important to an organization.
Grassroots organizations, with meager budgets and volunteer staff, don't have so many resources, but can attract diverse funding partners.
Sustainability is the capacity of an organization to achieve long-term success and stability and to serve its clients and consumers without the threat or loss of financial support and the quality of services. Sustainability is about maintaining and continuing program services after a funding period is over and ensuring that the organization has become a permanent part of community resources.
Building a foundation for the long-term growth and health of an organization is critical. The stability of a house depends on the strength of its foundation. The same holds true for grassroots, NGOs. Sustainable community organizations have solid, strong foundations. Organizations need healthy, realistic, and effective organizational structures; sustainable plans or strategies; solid and continuous financial support; adequate and qualified staff; and ongoing effective strategies for marketing and fund development.
Good sustainability plans help developers of programs and initiatives clarify where they are and where they want to go. Sustainability plans also give program managers a roadmap for where they are going and the benchmarks for determining whether they are successfully reaching goals.
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