Assessing organization-funding model fit

Key Factors for Consideration

For every model, consider the following factors to understand whether the model is a good fit for the organization’s context.

The right team - The team and its capacity and expertise. To successfully implement these models, a different cadre of staffing or skills may be needed. Consider what kind of expertise is needed and the skills and availability of staff within the existing team.

Supportive policy and regulatory environment - The policies, rules, and laws in place, as well as the political environment within the country or region. Is the regulatory and political environment right to pursue this type of funding? Are there restrictions related to the type of funding models that can be pursued in the current setting? Are there other types of registrations or legal requirements to be fulfilled for a particular model?

Abundant market demand - The community or customer demand for products or services. Is there demand in the market for the services? For earned income opportunities, are clients willing to pay for the service or product? If there is a market available, how much has the market been saturated by others already providing such a product or service?

Accessible funding supply - The availability of funding. Is the funding source for the model available in the region/country? Are donors and investors looking to donate and invest their money in the priority area of a CSO? Is the organization able to address any barriers to accessing the funding?

Strong social capital - The network of supporters and stakeholders. Does the CSO have the right network of supporters, experts, and stakeholders to pursue this model? Does the CSO have the reputation or previous experience to give confidence that it will succeed?

Sufficient infrastructure and capacity - Technology, assets, and expertise to design and provide services and programs. Does the CSO have the infrastructure, such as hardware, software, or physical structures, needed to pursue this funding strategy and deliver the programs accordingly? Will development of the required infrastructure be possible with current resources?

---

Diving Deeper into your Top 3 Funding Models

Consider these factors and questions for the top three funding models you chose above. Rate each factor item on a scale of 0 to 3

	Funding Model 1	Funding Model 2	Funding Model 3
The right team Do you have the right team to help you tap into this source of funding?
Supportive policy and regulatory environment Is the regulatory and political environment right to pursue this type of funding? Are there restrictions or requirements specific to certain funding models?
Abundant market demand Is there demand in the market for the services? For earned income opportunities, are clients willing to pay for the service or product? If there is a market available, how much has the market been saturated by others already providing such a product or service?
Accessible Funding Supply Is the funding source for the model available in the region/country? Are donors and investors looking to donate and invest their money into your sector?
Social Capital Do you have the right network of supporters, experts, and stakeholders to pursue this model? Do you have the reputation or previous experience to give confidence that it will succeed?
Existing Infrastructure and Capacity Do you have the infrastructure, such as hardware, software, or physical structures, needed to pursue this funding strategy and deliver the programs accordingly? Will development of the required infrastructure be possible with current resources?
Total Score

Additional Questions to Consider when assessing a funding model fit:

Would your program model allow you to appeal successfully to the relevant decision makers involved in the specific funding model?

Would you need to make any changes to your program model, such as adjusting existing programs, adding new ones, serving different beneficiaries, or expanding to new geographies? Would you be willing to make those changes?

Does your organization have the capabilities required to access the relevant sources of funds? For example, could you cultivate wealthy individual donors or manage the complexities of government contracting? If not, could you realistically develop those capabilities? Do you have the appetite for doing so?

Will the funding model support the goals you laid out earlier in the workbook? For example, can it get your organization to the size you aspire to achieve?