Funding Shortfalls Continue to Challenge Us All

Funding shortfalls from government and the private sector continue to negatively impact South Carolina’s nonprofits. Organizations that previously seemed impervious to the economic downturn are now suffering tremendously. Nonprofits are cutting staff and programs and simply doing whatever is necessary to keep the doors open. The sad news is there is no immediate resolution on the horizon.

The reality is that organizations must operate using a scaled-down model. In some cases, nonprofits have reduced their staff by 50%, yet the demand for the services they provide has increased. Foundations must also be willing to change with the times. For example, the Sisters of Charity Foundation is funding operational expenses for nonprofits. This is something we did not consider for many years. To allow more organizations to apply for our Caritas Grants program, which are grants that meet basic needs, we have raised the operating budget limit for potential applicants. In an effort to be grantee-friendly, the Foundation is lifting a process that has been in place. If an organization is funded in one year, they can now apply for a grant the following year. Previously, a full year had to expire before this was possible, and often grantseekers were forced to wait nearly a year and a half to reapply for funding. Additionally, the Foundation is looking at providing restructuring and reorganization grants to allow nonprofits to look at new models, mergers and even dissolution. 
 
The fact is that our Foundation funds are tight. This is the smallest budget we have ever had in our 15-year history. We cannot let this stop us from reaching as many nonprofits as possible. We will have three grant cycles in 2011 and, along with our initiative funding, we will award more than $2.4 million across South Carolina. In addition to grantmaking, the Foundation will provide multiple learning opportunities and training sessions for nonprofits to attend free of charge. A current list is updated regularly on our Web site. These free sessions are geared towards helping organizations find ways to be more successful and to operate more efficiently. The programs will be available in Columbia, S.C., at the Foundation office as well as other locations in the state. So even though times are extremely challenging, there are still many opportunities.

Success may be measured differently this year. Our success will be measured by how many organizations we can assist and therefore, how many individuals and families living in poverty we can help.  It is my hope that every organization operating will find a way to garner the resources they need to operate necessary programs this year. Otherwise, needy individuals and families will continue to suffer and bear a large part of the brunt of these tough economic times.






Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina

2011 Tips for Nonprofits

As we embark on a new year with new goals, I want to offer a few “low cost” tips to our grantees and other nonprofit practitioners that can pay dividends for you. They are:

• Strengthen Your Boards- The staff can only do so much. If you find and recruit new board members that can be passionate about your organization and help you raise money, then you will be in a much better place by the end of the year. New board members can open doors and help you access and raise new dollars.
 
• Embrace Social Media- Today’s world requires immediate and up to date information. A stale Web site and a printed newsletter distributed a few times a year is not enough. You are missing opportunities to market yourself and let the larger community know what is happening with your organization. If you haven’t already done so, then start a Facebook page, connect your organization on LinkedIn, tweet on Twitter, create an electronic newsletter and begin to write a blog. All of these tools are essentially free. It is just a matter of taking the time to learn and implement. There are plenty of people that are knowledgeable about social media that would be willing to assist you. 
 
• Get in front of the Public- Clubs, organizations and business groups often meet every week. They are always looking for speakers. Make an effort to develop a presentation that you, your staff and your volunteers can use. Then make the contacts with Rotary, Kiwanis, Lion’s, Civitan, Chambers of Commerce, VFW’s, American Legion and many other clubs and ask them to get on the calendar for a presentation about your organizations. Many professional associations allot part of their meetings for presentations from nonprofits. Only good things can happen from these efforts. People will learn more about your organization and they may be willing to volunteer and even donate, once they are informed.
 
• Be Efficient- Spend wisely. Seek “in-kind” services. Some company may not give you money but they might print a brochure for free. In my former fund raising life, I asked a bank for a financial donation. They said no but they offered me five billboards for a three-month period all over town. They put me in touch with their ad agency and the agency donated the cost to prepare the billboard. Because the bank was such a good customer, the billboard company put the five signs up for free. We had free advertising for three months at no cost to our organization. 
 
• Network- We can all learn something from each other. When you attend a workshop or conference, make sure you walk away from the event with at least one new contact and, hopefully, at least one new idea.  If someone is doing something that is working, there is no reason it can’t work for you. It is worth a try.
 
• Be Willing to Change- Often times, we get use to doing things a certain way. We get stuck in our own organizational mindset. Be willing to welcome change. Look for new ways to grow and improve your organization and yourself. If the old model is not working, then change course. If your ideas are no longer enough, then find new ideas by learning from other people. It can only help your organization move forward progressively and positively and that is what you want.
 
There are no easy solutions to complex problems in today’s nonprofit world. Many times cost prohibits us from accomplishing certain goals. However, there are other ways to grow and succeed that do not cost anything other than your time and energy. I encourage you to consider these “tips” as you move forward in 2011. Remember the old adage “Nothing ventured; nothing gained.” Now is your opportunity to try a few new things that will, hopefully, bring positive results and at little or no expense.



Tom Keith is the president of the Sisters of Charity Foundation of South Carolina