In theory this was a partial success.
When it came to scaling that incredible impact, their early funding model became a problem. They were heavily reliant on short-term grants from a narrow pool of philanthropic donors.
This made it hard for them to align their funding model with funders’ priorities and found themselves in fundraising mode constantly, with limited flexibility.
Rather than accepting the unsustainable nature of short-term grants, StrongMinds made a deliberate shift. They focussed on making a clearer case for value to funders.
This meant becoming clear on:
- The cost per outcome of their interventions
- The long-term value the model delivered to different types of funders
- Which payers were realistically positioned to support mental health at scale
The latter includes governments and larger foundations.
The shift required intentional design so they:
- Refined their cost-per-outcome calculations to show efficiency and scalability
- Reframed the model for different funder types, while keeping delivery consistent
- Built stronger evidence around long-term outcomes and return on investment (ROI) for payers
These were not tactics, they were decisions about how the organisation explained its value, and to whom.
With a clear model, they were able to move away from the short-term.
They have unlocked multi-year unrestricted grants, expanded partnerships, including exploring public funding routes, and freed up leadership time to focus on scale, not just survival.
Making costs and outcomes explicit and being clear on who the right payers were helped them shift conversations.
Strong results do not guarantee a scalable funding model.
Funding for Scale exists to help leaders confront that gap early. It focuses on the decisions that determine whether an organisation can be funded credibly over time, rather than on short term tactics.
By clarifying costs, understanding payer incentives, and making deliberate trade offs, leaders are better equipped to guide their organisations through tightening funding conditions without compromising direction or impact.
This is not about raising more money.
It is about making better funding decisions.
