Sustainable funding
Sustainable funding is about ensuring the ongoing and long-term viability of an organisation
Sustainable funding for ESP
The Department of Foreign Affairs is committed to supporting sustainable funding models in the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP).
Sustainable funding is about ensuring the ongoing and long term viability of an organisation. Sustainability is about much more than simply obtaining enough money from funders. It requires effective planning and robust financial management. Understanding what funding and income opportunities are available and a willingness to diversify these where possible.
From the perspective of the Department of Foreign Affairs, sustainable funding is about ensuring that organisations do not become overly reliant on the ESP as a source of funding.
Salary caps
The Department of Foreign Affairs wishes to avoid salaried positions becoming overly reliant on ESP funding.
In general, we avoid supporting 100% of given salary costs. While each application is considered on its own merits, we consider 80% funding of any given salary an appropriate upper limit in most cases.
Salary increases
The Department of Foreign Affairs acknowledges that there will be instances where the cost of a position may increase. In cases, where salary increases are noted, and funding is sought for salaries, a strong business case should be made as part of the application.
Fundraising strategies
Fundraising should become an integral part of an organisation’s work. Organisations with successful fundraising strategies in place and are viewed favourably.
It's useful if you can demonstrate your fundraising activities as part of your application. This can take the form of:
- clear metrics for funding applications
- case studies to solicit public support
- details on fundraising events that bring together clients and donors.
The board and management team should develop and monitor fundraising strategies and targets. These should incorporate:
- an appropriate balance between different sources of fundraised income e.g. institutional funding vs public fundraising
- methods of fundraising are appropriate for the organisation
- realistic fundraising targets and actions to support their achievement.
Fundraising diversification
It is important that you have multiple sources of funding.
Diversifying funding and increasing the number of funding sources minimises risk and reliance on any one funder.
Diversification is critical to an organisation’s sustainability and is viewed on favourably ESP application assessments.