Positioning Your Nonprofit for Sustainability — With operating costs rising and economic uncertainty persisting, many nonprofits are asking: How can we position ourselves for long-term sustainability? Now more than ever, organizations need flexible, general operating support (GOS) to strengthen programs, invest in staff, and sustain their mission. Yet, securing unrestricted funding remains a challenge, as many funders still prefer to allocate resources to specific projects.

The good news? With the right strategies, you can improve your chances of attracting general operating support. Here’s how:

1. Build Trust with Funders

Funders are more likely to provide unrestricted funding to organizations they trust. Strengthen relationships by keeping funders informed about your impact, challenges, and financial health. Personalized updates, site visits, and transparent reporting can build confidence in your organization’s ability to manage flexible funding effectively.

2. Tell the Bigger Story

Nonprofits often excel at making the case for program funding but struggle to convey why general operating support is just as critical. Instead of focusing solely on program success, showcase how unrestricted dollars allow your organization to innovate, respond to urgent needs, and build a sustainable future.

3. Frame GOS as a High-Impact Investment

Funders want to see results. Demonstrate how flexible funding strengthens your capacity to create meaningful, long-term change. Use data and real-world examples to show how unrestricted funds have helped you grow, adapt, and expand your reach.

4. Seek Multi-Year and Capacity-Building Grants

Some funders support general operations through capacity-building grants or multi-year funding opportunities. Look for funding that focuses on leadership development, strategic growth, or sustainability—these often include unrestricted dollars.

5. Showcase Financial Responsibility

Funders need assurance that their investment is well-managed. Communicate how your organization stewards unrestricted funds wisely, highlighting efficiency, accountability, and measurable outcomes. Show how operational support enables you to maximize impact without waste.

6. Engage Individual Donors and Corporate Partners

While institutional funders may have restrictions, individual donors and corporate sponsors can be excellent sources of unrestricted funding. Develop a strong case for flexible giving, emphasizing how unrestricted dollars sustain your mission beyond project-specific contributions.

7. Advocate for the Value of Unrestricted Funding

The nonprofit sector is shifting toward trust-based philanthropy, which prioritizes long-term, flexible funding. Educate funders on why GOS is essential by sharing research, case studies, and success stories that highlight its impact. When funders see the difference it makes, they may become more open to providing it.

Moving Forward

Attracting general operating support requires intentionality, persistence, and strategic communication. By fostering strong relationships, clearly articulating your need for unrestricted funding, and positioning your nonprofit as a high-impact investment, you can increase your chances of securing the flexible funding needed to thrive in any economic climate.

FunderWoman is here to help!  Let’s work together to develop smart strategies to attract the resources your nonprofit needs to build a stronger, more resilient future!