What is sustainable funding?

We know that achieving income targets is one of the main concerns for local voluntary and community groups.  As grant funding becomes more difficult to secure on a regular basis, it is important for organisations to build up a range of income sources. This is “sustainable funding”.


  • Your mix of funding should provide stability for the organisation (a mixture of income streams so that if one disappears, or is limited, it doesn’t threaten your organisation’s overall viability).
  • Your choice of funding methods should be appropriate (a range of funding and finance options is available and can be right for different situations). Understanding your organisation and which finance options are a good match for it is critical.
  • You should ensure you have enough funds (understanding your costs properly allows you to make informed decisions about accepting contracts or undertaking project work).

Download Alternatives to Grant Funding a PowerPoint presentation from our 3 December 2009 Funding Conference.

Download the report on The Recesssion Yet to Come, compiled by Bernard Collier, CEO of Voluntary Action Westminster on behalf of the Capacitybuilders Consortium.

Visit our Funding Hub and our Grants directory

Online resources: the NCVO Sustainable Funding Project

NCVO offers a variety of resources to support you in developing and implementing a sustainable income strategy. It explains a range of sources, gives definitions, guides and advice.

Visit the NCVO sustainable funding project website

Voluntary Action Westminster
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