I get it. You have a budget and you need to be fiscally responsible. But how often do you think, “Dang! I can’t do this thing we really need to do – and are committed to doing – because there’s no money in my nonprofit budget?” Been there. Said that. More than once.

But in order to advance your mission, it’s not okay to just stop there. There are people counting on you, so it’s time to choose. Will you let the budget hamstring you? Or will you really try to work on some creative solutions?

I wonder what would happen if you decided to look at it a little differently.

What do you have to lose – Why not try these 3 things?

1. Substitute what you used to say for “Let’s look at what resources ARE available.” I know it sounds a little hokey, maybe even ridiculous. But try it. Can you move some resources around based on priority order? Can you get a line of credit? Do you have reserves with some degree of flexibility about how they’re allocated? I bet if a few really smart folks you know join in the conversation, you can come up with ways to invest in your top priorities.

2. If you’ve been successful in running the organization, you probably didn’t get there alone. So who are your strongest partners? Do they have similar needs? Could you join forces and share costs? Or do they know of other revenue sources? Would a loyal donor consider increasing their investment for a special project? You are not in this alone – use your relationship capital well.

3. Assess the source of your costs. Is it manpower? Equipment? Training? How much of that could be offset with skilled volunteers? Or in-kind donations? Would costs decrease if the timing was different? Even though it looks like you need money, be resourceful and see what else you can leverage.

There is no substitute for being fiscally responsible. While you’re at it, plan ahead to avoid these situations as much as possible (I know – yeah, right). For instance, if you don’t already have one, create an operating reserve – even if you only allocate a very small percentage to it in the beginning, at least it’s a start. Or look at new revenue streams via earned revenue and social enterprise. Is rental income possible, or selling of items, or can you offer trainings to other providers for a fee, etc.

When you have a strong mission, and a compelling message, many times the money will follow. But for those times when it’s just not there, sometimes a simple shift in mindset can make a big difference in opening up your options.  Do not give up on your mission!

For more on how your mindset affects the success of your organization, consider checking out The Impact Triangle on Amazon.

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