Sustainability is the ability of an organization to continue its mission or program far into the future. All projects have to end eventually, but the project impact should continue. Donors want to see how the project and its impact will outlive their direct involvement in the project.
A project or organization can be sustainable in three main categories: organizational, financial, and community sustainability.
Community sustainability is how the community carries out the project activities even after the NGO leaves.
Example: The project trains 50 new mothers on infant nutrition. After the training, these mothers will then share their knowledge with other mothers, children, and neighbors in their communities. In this way, the project will continue to reach an additional 200-500 indirect beneficiaries one year after official project activities are completed.
Financial sustainability is how the financial support required for the project or the organization will continue after the grant has ended.
Example: As part of the advocacy initiative, the Communications Team will organize an online newsletter and crowd-sourcing campaign. This campaign will also include an annual appeal to further support the project.
Organizational sustainability is how the NGO itself continues to function after the project.
Example: The program will us social media to publicize its research findings, and also help attract new volunteers to the organization.
NGOs and projects come in all shapes and sizes. Thus, NGOs can be sustainable in many other areas beyond community, financial, and organizational sustainability. For certain types of NGOs, this can also include:
Regardless of the category, make it clear to the donor how the project impact will be sustained even after the grant is completed.
Alta Alonzi is a writer and researcher focusing on international development funding and grassroots NGOs. She works with the fundraising consulting company Philantropia conducting research for clients ranging from small NGOs to UN organizations. She also works closely with FundsforNGOs running training webinars, contributing resource guides, and updating the Premium donor database.
Dear Alta Alonzi, I highly appreciate your generosity in sharing knowledge with us. God bless you.
Thank you Alta
Please send me material on proposal writer and fundraising for my NGO
Dear Adam: You can find articles on our website on everything on proposal writing with samples and tips on fundraising for NGOs. If you have any specific topic on mind please suggest at info@proposalsforngos.com, we will try to include them on our post. Thank you.
Alonzi thank you for sharing, I have developed interests in projects of recent and I found this piece of work informative and useful.
This is so insightful.
Thank you so much for your kind words
Thanks so much for your idea, it was very good for me.
When did you publish this write up on sustainability
Dear George: The article was published in January 2018 on our site.
Thanks for your reply.
Hi Alta , thanks a lot for your noble task to communities. you will ever blessed.
I have a request for you a bout my mum being in need of a hand- tap borehole in Turkana. will you please try to help or link with an organization that can help since she is also a widow please; thanks in advance
Thanks dear for your well organised thought on this topic. May you be bless richly
Right now we are discussing on the concept of sustainability of a project, the barriers for it and possible solutions. I wish if you are physically with us here in Dubai so that we learn more from uour wealth of knowledge.
Tezera a participant from Ethiopia
Thank you for your info.
Dear Alta,
Thanks for your good article.
Jared
Dear Jared: I am glad you found this article helpful!
Thanks for the well structured info
thank you for the good work your doing. kindly help me with sustainability plan sample
Alta Alonzi, thanks for adding knowledge to my experiences.
Kanu.
Dear Momodu: I am glad that the article is helpful to you.
I found this information so useful when I was looking for resources in the course Strategic Management in Development. Like the way the course is taught in Business, one ends up picking resources from here and there. I think the concept of sustainability should be built into all organizations’ planning all the time.
Dear Keith: I am glad that the article is helpful to you. In recent years there has been a global shift towards business working more towards sustainability aspect.
That was helpful, especially the examples discussed here.
Thanks for sharing
Dear Tamara: Glad that the article is helpful to you.
Hi Mrs. Alonzi, great article. What was the date of when you published this article? Thank you for your response.
Hello Ana:
The article has been updated recently.
Am really feel impressive in this piece of project sustainability
Dear Bol:
Glad you found the article helpful.
Thank you, for an insightful yet short writing
Dear Bwalya:
I am glad you found this article helpful!
I’ve liked this piece of work and I’ve gained interest in project writing for NGOs
How can I access guides and template on how the proposals should look like?
Dear Umarrwoth:
Glad you found the article. For more on samples and templates for proposal writing please visit our section https://proposalsforngos.com/sample/.