We’ve spent the last 10 years supporting social change organizations to understand this too. From Indigenous collectives to digital rights groups, we’ve worked with a wide range of organizations and movements to build greater financial strength and transform their relationships with funders. 

And we have been listening to funders too. Here are the three big questions we’ve heard them ask themselves:

• Will our grantees become overly dependent on us? 
• How can I keep track of how grantees are doing and what support they need?
• How do I know if institutional strengthening initiatives truly lead to sustained change and won't evaporate when individuals leave the organization?

Sound familiar? 🤔

This is how we address these challenges in our Financial Innovation and Resilience (FIRE) programs:

1. We support groups to diversify their funding sources. During FIRE, participants figure out their place within their local funding and political landscapes. Each participant identifies what potential funding sources and financing options are available, including sources previously untapped by them. 54% of the Ford Foundation’s BUILD grantees who completed FIRE in the last couple of years reported generating new funds so they can continue advancing their mission beyond a particular grant cycle. And they attributed this progress to the FIRE program. 

2. We turn transactional relationships with funders into transformational partnerships. We work with groups to create open communications channels with funders so they build partnerships based on trust, commitment and alignment where both sides connect around shared purpose and vision. Almost half of BUILD FIRE participants reported that they’re communicating better with donors; they confidently share both successes and challenges, including proactive updates about their progress and delays, as well as their needs for core support and multi-year grants. We also encourage participants to ask donors for support beyond money such as introductions to other potential funding sources. 

3. We build stronger teams, break down silos and create solid institutional foundations for a financially healthy future.  Participants complete FIRE with a deep understanding that financial health is the responsibility of everybody in the organization. A real culture shift takes place where the financial strength of the organization is seen as deeply connected to purpose and impact. We provide financial diagnostic and dashboard tools that tell the organization's unique story of financial health in a way that everyone can understand. Breaking down silos and embedding financial resilience in the organizational culture enables organizations to become more intentional and proactive. This way, learnings are embedded in the institution and not just the individuals attending the program.

But don’t just take our word for it. 

These are what a couple of funders had to say…

Our FIRE graduates also shared this feedback...

And you're in good company.

These are some of the funders who we partner with and who have supported their grantees to go through the FIRE program.

Interested in learning more? 

Check out our next public offering in September and stay tuned for details on in-person (in Indonesia) and virtual FIRE programs in early 2024. Looking for something more customized? Get in touch by sending an email to fire@springstrategies.org. 

You can always stay up to date with all things FIRE by signing up for our monthly newsletter here.