The Impact Issue #40: Diversify Your Funding with New Strategies for 2025

Hey there,

As we approach year-end, it’s the perfect time to rethink your funding mix and refresh your resources. This week’s newsletter dives into diversification tactics, expert insights, and new tools to help your nonprofit attract reliable support and grow sustainably.

Let’s make sure your funding strategy has all the right elements.

Welcome to The Impact!

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Data-Packed Insights

Even though program-related grants are more popular, grants for training and capacity building actually have the highest funding success rate.

We analyzed over 91,000 grants from Instrumentl users and uncovered some interesting insights related to overall success rates and popularity by grant type.

Read the full report here to see what we found.

Let us know if you’d like to receive more Insight Reports like this by subscribing.

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Pitfalls and Pointers

⚠️ Pitfall: Relying Solely on Grants

As much as we love grants, relying too heavily on them can put your organization in a risky position. Ensuring a sustainable funding mix requires exploring other revenue-generating strategies in combination with grants.

💡Pointer: Diversify Your Funding Streams

There are so many creative ways your organization can support its activities and programs. Balancing large grants with other funding streams is the key to sustainability!

Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Launch a Membership Program: Memberships can create steady income from loyal supporters while also fostering a sense of community. Offer exclusive updates or members-only perks to keep them engaged.
2. Leverage Ad Grants: Platforms like LinkedIn offer ad grants that allow nonprofits to run free campaigns. It’s a way to increase your visibility, attract new supporters, and drive online donations (more on this below!).
3. Sell Products or Services: Offering merchandise, digital products, or workshops can bring in unrestricted funds that you can reinvest in your programs.
4. Host Virtual Fundraisers: Virtual events make it easy to connect with a global audience and can be a fun way to engage supporters year-round.

With some creative approaches, your funding mix can weather any storm!

💸 Check out other top fundraising strategies you can explore!

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Tech You Should Know

What: LinkedIn Ad Grants.

LinkedIn offers pro bono advertising grants, giving nonprofits the chance to reach a broad professional audience for free. Eligible organizations can receive up to $3,000 per month in LinkedIn ad credits.

How Nonprofits Can Use It:

• Recruit Volunteers: Target local professionals interested in your cause.
• Promote Events or Webinars: Use ad grants to boost attendance at upcoming fundraising or educational events.
• Expand Reach to Corporations: Build connections with companies that may consider future sponsorships or partnerships.

Keep in Mind:

• Eligibility Requirements: LinkedIn’s program has specific criteria, so review these carefully to confirm your organization qualifies.
• Ad Spend Limits: Be strategic with ad targeting to maximize reach within the monthly $3,000 limit.

👉 Learn more about LinkedIn’s Ad Grant Program!

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Expert Perspectives

🏆 Christian Postel on the Best Funding for Nonprofit Organizations

It’s easy to focus on the same fundraising efforts because 1) it’s what you’ve always done and 2) you don’t feel like you have the capacity for other options.

However, alternate forms of fundraising don’t have to feel daunting or overwhelming. Christian Postel, CEO of the Lexington Leadership Foundation, discusses some ideas on how to diversify your fundraising plan to ensure that you are taking advantage of all possible revenue sources.

Here’s his expert advice:

• Pursue Government Grants: Though often complex, government grants can offer stable funding over multiple years. Instrumentl has plenty of resources you can check out to make them less intimidating.
• Build Corporate Partnerships: Corporations are increasingly looking to partner with nonprofits that align with their values. Position your organization as a good match by emphasizing shared goals.
• Seek In-Kind Donations: Don’t overlook non-monetary support. In-kind donations, like equipment, office space, or marketing services, can free up funds for other needs.
• Explore Crowdfunding: A well-planned crowdfunding campaign can engage your community and attract small donations from a large group, making a big difference over time.

🌟 Explore more expert tips on growing and diversifying funding in 2025 in the full article!

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The Latest Numbers

Have you read this latest report about giving in times of uncertainty? In this study from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, researchers analyzed the philanthropic landscape in the periods immediately before the pandemic and during it to better understand funding trends.

Here’s a quick look at some of their findings:

• Although the total percentage of households that donated to charitable causes decreased during the pandemic, those who did donate donated larger amounts.
• Individual variations in jobs and incomes had less of an impact on giving than the overall cultural and economic context going on around donors.

👉 Read the full Giving During Times of Uncertainty report here!

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Opportunities Spotlight

🌟 The FAWCO Foundation Development Grant

Who It’s For: Grassroots organizations that receive limited support from larger grants that work in the fields of education, human rights, and global issues.

Next Deadline: January 27, 2025

Grant Amount: $5,000

The Details: This grant is for organizations related to an existing FAWCO club in their local area, and can be nominated after receiving support for 6 months. Any organization working in the areas of education, health, and human rights can approach their local organization to get connected and receive support for projects with immediate impact.

✅ Apply Here!

💰 Scotiabank Corporate Giving Program: ScotiaRISE

Who It’s For: Nonprofit organizations and public colleges and universities focused on increasing economic resilience and building stronger communities.

Next Deadline: Rolling deadlines

Grant Amount: Unspecified

The Details: Scotiabank supports organizations that work to increase economic opportunities in their communities, specifically by increasing access to post-secondary education, helping facilitate the integration of immigrants and newcomers to communities, and removing barriers to career advancement for disadvantaged groups.

✅ Apply Here!

🔍 Explore thousands of other grant opportunities now!

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Networking Nook

💻 Workshop: Grant Management Essentials

Jan 29 - 30, 2025 | 8:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. PCT

In this two-day grant management workshop from the Grantsmanship Center, you'll get the skills and know-how to keep your project on track, comply with grant regulations, and protect your organization from the administrative and legal chaos that results from poor grants management.

👉 Register Now!

To check out more recent and upcoming live events, go here.

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In Case You Missed It

📑 Article: 3 Ways Nonprofits Are Using Instrumentl’s Apply to Save Time and Boost Success

Instrumentl’s Apply is an AI grant writing tool that speeds up your grant writing process by learning from previous grant applications. Apply produces high-quality, customized grant proposals in a fraction of the time it usually takes.

✅ Get the Full Story!

📑 Article: How Many Grants Should I Apply for to Raise $1M? 6 Steps to Find Out

Ever feel overwhelmed about how many grant applications you need to make sure you meet your fundraising goal? In this article, you can read more about typical success rates and how to make your fundraising plan to ensure success for your organization.

✅ Read the Article Here!

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Transform Your Funding Strategy

Need help tracking, managing, or finding the right grants?

Join over 2,000 nonprofits using Instrumentl’s end-to-end grant management platform where you can discover grants, research funders, and streamline your process with ease.

👉 Start a free 14-day trial today!