Here’s a hard question to ask: can you justify your programs? Very few want to ask this question, let alone answer it. Doing so means looking closely at what you are doing, how you are doing it, and what your community needs. It includes looking at who else is offering similar or complementary services – where are you competing and how can you collaborate? We’re asking these questions so you can ask them of yourselves, your team members, your leadership (including your board), and those you serve or advocate for.
Sometimes programs persist over time even when they are not delivering the results they once did. There may have been budget cuts over the years that resulted in eliminating important elements of a program in order to keep offering it. Or perhaps demand increased without an increase in funding and you had to reduce the type or amount of services in order to be able to provide something to all who need access. The result: a lesser service for more people. In other cases, a program may not reach the number of people it used to. You may want to look at the geographic and demographic communities you serve. Have these shifted; and has your programming adjusted accordingly? Finally, are you offering programs because you have a history of offering them? What if these are not a priority for your constituency? What if your focus on what you have been doing keeps you from serving another group with a “greater” need.
Here are other things to consider: Are your programs making a difference in the life of your organization and community? Which programs are a “pet project” that you don’t want to let go of? Or, that a donor wants you to continue? Could resources be used by another program – or for another purpose – and put to a better use? Are you trying to keep pace with your peers without examining whether a program is right for your organization and constituency? Are your programs sustainable and can you afford to grow them? Look at each program to see where your funding is coming from. Are you getting support from one source or a variety of sources? How do funders and those who access your programs evaluate your work?
Sometimes nonprofits continue to offer programs that are not sustainable, subsidizing them with unrestricted revenue from other sources. Known as “borrowing from Peter to pay Paul,” an organization can find itself in a race to the bottom, stretching a dollar farther than it can go. The end result: underpaid staff, lack of infrastructure, inadequate technology, and low reserves. Take time to look at your programs and ask the difficult questions. It may be time to change. Maybe it’s time to eliminate or combine programs or add new ones. There may be a larger or different need than the one we are focused on. It’s time to evaluate how we use our resources and to affirm – or change – our programs. Our communities deserve our best!
© 2025 Mel and Pearl Shaw, authors of “Prerequisites for Fundraising Success.” We provide fundraising counsel to higher education, nonprofits, and philanthropy. Video conferencing always available. Visit www.saadandshaw.com.
