Beyond the first grant

From one-time supporter to long-term champion

There is immense fulfillment in discovering a nonprofit that resonates with your values. Committing to more meaningful engagement can be mutually transformative for you and the causes you care about. Through long-term support, a nonprofit can amplify its mission, and together, you can create even greater change in the world.

Leverage this guide to thoughtfully consider the next step in your funding journey. Reflect on your initial gift, research the nonprofit and its needs, and reaffirm if this is an organization you'd like to continue supporting.

Reflect

As you decide what the next phase of your relationship with an organization will look like, reflect on your initial funding experience and consider how this organization contributes to your overall personal giving mission.

Personal reflection 

• What personal experiences and values prompted your initial gift? 
• Since your initial gift, have new experiences influenced your thinking on this cause area or about this nonprofit?
• What new perspectives could be helpful as you consider additional support?

Organizational effectiveness  

• What do you most appreciate about this organization’s approach?
• What stories, updates, or results from the organization elicit excitement and align with your personal mission?
• What are the next steps in this organization’s long-term vision? How are they making progress toward that vision, and how can you be part of these developments?

Maximizing impact 

• What does the nonprofit need to build long-term sustainability?
• What gaps are they addressing? What value do they bring to the community/sector?
• What is the organization’s role in sharing its learnings and influencing the field? 
• Understanding that philanthropy often acts as society’s risk capital, where are opportunities for innovation, if funding existed?

What additional questions do you have for yourself, the individuals you give with, or the organization to gain confidence in deepening your relationship with an organization?

Research

Seek out further information about the organization to discover new opportunities for impact. Some nonprofits may have dedicated staff who can engage with you directly. Other organizations may not be resourced in the same way and you will need to guide your own learning.

• Review the organization’s website, recent e-newsletters, and social media channels
• Speak to a trusted peer who has a relationship with the organization, such as another donor, a board member, or a community member 
• Attend a community event or fundraiser hosted by the organization 
• Ask if there is someone on staff who is available for a conversation or site visit

Reaffirm

Decide if this is an organization that you want to continue to support, and consider additional ways to be involved.

• Give more. Explore with the organization what their needs are and if there are ways you could expand your financial support. If you decide that you would like this organization to be a centerpiece of your giving, think about what might be a stretch gift for you. Be specific on what you can offer, and ask the organization how these resources could support their strategic plan.
• Provide a multi-year gift. When nonprofits receive multi-year funding, this allows them to plan and budget for the future.
• Provide general operating support. This allows nonprofits to use funds flexibly and direct resources to the organization’s highest priorities. 
• Consider other ways you can assist the organization. Volunteering your time and expertise or introducing the organization to other donors can be incredibly impactful.  
• Ask the organization’s leadership how to best support them beyond funding.
• Embrace a learning orientation. It is possible that even after reflection and research, you still have reservations about a more significant gift. At times like these, it is good to embrace a learning orientation and gain more insight into the questions you have. You can always revisit a more impactful gift later.

There may be occasions when you choose not to continue your financial support of the organization. In these instances, keep these tips in mind: 

Be transparent.
Let the organization know that you don’t intend to continue your funding. If the gift is a significant gift for the organization, be sure to give the organization advance notice (three to six months before the one-year anniversary of your grant, if possible).  

Be direct and candid.
In your communications with staff, be straightforward and clear about your intentions. If you have feedback to offer, offer it with a spirit of respect and kindness. 

Consider an exit grant.
If you are a significant donor, consider an exit grant. When a significant donor decides to discontinue funding, nonprofits often need to fill the gap. An exit grant gives the organization a longer time horizon to identify new sources of funding.

Conclusion

When you move from being a one-time funder to a long-time supporter of a nonprofit, it is not only an incredibly rewarding experience for you personally, but it also allows the nonprofit to thrive. The path to personal fulfillment, collective joy, and organizational transformation starts with your curiosity and your next steps of learning and engagement. We encourage you to consider moving from being a one-time supporter to a long-term champion of a nonprofit you care about.

Additional resources:

Charting for Impact

Discovering your philanthropic identity

Charting for Impact: A site visit worksheet