How should nonprofits think about sustainability? The Global Fund for Women understands the importance of sustainability for its grantees because it must also be a sustainable organization. The GFW helps grantees by discussing up front ways for strengthening and expanding funding in local communities. They create a fundraising “red book” that has been translated into many different languages, and is shared with all grantees.
They are also committed to linking grantees to larger funders, such as the Ford and Carnegie Foundations. Smaller organizations can leverage the relationship with the Global Fund for Women. Sustainability is not to be confused with creating a profit-making venture. We must appreciate that nonprofits exist in many countries because the state and private sector have failed to provide basic services to its people.
The Global Fund for Women also perceives that funding should continue over longer periods of time–groups should be encouraged to diversify funding base, build more capacity, engage with others in the community. Social issues such as gender based violence are not solved in one or two years.
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