That Pesky Sustainability Question

How will your proposed project continue to have an impact after funding ends?

This is the dreaded sustainability question. The reading of this question is followed by an exasperated sigh, which is then followed by the all-too-familiar feelings of frustration of trying to deliver with little funding.

In reality, grantmakers are not expecting you to continue the project without funding. They are pushing you to capture the greater potential of your project - to imagine outcomes greater than the outcomes on the participants within a specified time frame.

You can ask yourself… How can the project impact the systemic problem affecting our community? Or how can the project move our organization forward to better serve the community? Or what learnings can inform current or future projects? Or what capacity-building outcomes will impact the on-going effectiveness?

​Imagine each project leaving a legacy - both with the community served and in your organization. Articulate that legacy. You might end up being more inspired than you thought!