Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Funding remains one of the toughest barriers to scaling, with little to no guidance available on how to navigate it. So we’ve asked: how do non-profits that successfully sustain solutions at scale secure funding for it? And who’s paying?

Our new study uncovers the funding models of 28 leading non-profits operating across 70 countries and 10 issue areas, the majority of which are delivering solutions in low- and middle-income countries.

We examined five types of funding sources for scale – philanthropy, governments, corporates, bilateral and multilateral institutions, and end users – highlighting their unique trade-offs and lessons specific to each.

You’ll learn about:

The key success factors that enabled non-profits to secure funding
Tailored funding approaches for different stages of scaling
Key learnings for funders who want to effectively support scale
The advantages and disadvantages of five key funding sources

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Protect Children is a non-profit organisation based in Finland, dedicated to ending all forms of sexual violence against children. Their work focuses on research driven interventions, education, support for victims and their families, and advocacy.

Part of this work is the ReDirection Programme – an anonymous, online self-help resource that supports behaviour change in individuals at risk of offending, in order to prevent sexual violence against children.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

GirlTREK is the largest health movement for Black women in the U.S., organizing women to walk in their neighborhoods as a radical act of self-care and healing. As part of their mission to support Black women’s well-being, GirlTREK set out to go further: integrate workforce development into their programming and build a model grounded in the idea that economic security enables Black women to live longer, healthier lives while investing back into their communities.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Emma Colenbrander has been appointed as Spring Impact’s next CEO.

If you’ve worked with Spring over the past few years, there’s a good chance you’ve already experienced Emma’s leadership. As Managing Director, she’s helped shape much of the work, thinking and partnerships that have defined Spring’s recent chapter. Now, she’ll lead the organisation into its next one.

Before joining Spring, Emma founded a social enterprise in India, enabling urban slum communities to access clean energy, and then built the Global Distributors Collective, a network of over 300 companies across 60 countries reaching more than more than 64 million people with life-changing products including solar lights, clean cookstoves and water filters.

Emma’s experience spans social entrepreneurship, development innovation and strategy, as a 2 x founder with a track record of building impactful organisations and supporting founders and enterprises across Africa, Asia, Europe, the US and the Asia-Pacific.

She succeeds Mohamed Osman, who has led Spring Impact for the last 6 years. Under his leadership, the organisation grew its team, deepened its expertise, expanded its global reach, and supported more than 1,000 mission-driven organisations to achieve greater impact.

Reflecting on Emma’s appointment, Mohamed noted:

“It’s an incredible joy to be able to announce Emma. Having worked alongside her for the past three years, one of the easiest parts of this transition has been knowing Spring was already in such capable hands. Much of what makes Spring what it is today has Emma’s fingerprints on it already. Her leadership embodies the values we advocate for across the sector, putting people and impact first. Spring Impact is entering an exciting new chapter, and I couldn’t be more confident about who is leading it in this ambition. It has been the honour of my career to lead this organisation, and I will be Emma’s fiercest champion every step of the way.”

Emma takes on the role at a time when practitioners and funders are increasingly focused not on whether scaling matters, but on how to achieve it effectively and sustainably, ready to build the capabilities, partnerships and evidence needed to achieve it.

She commented:

“Spring Impact has spent fifteen years going deep on scaling impact, building alongside organisations, growing their scaling capabilities, co-creating strategies grounded in evidence and shaped by the people closest to the problem. We know that better scaling happens together, so moving forward, we want to see scaling become a mainstream discipline, with a shared language, shared expectations, and shared practice around achieving impact that can actually tackle the size of the problems we’re facing. I am deeply honoured to be building on everything Mohamed has achieved over the past four years and lead Spring Impact’s next chapter.”

Emma’s appointment follows a rigorous search process led by the Board.

Spring Impact Board Chair, Peter Freedman, reflected:

“We could not be more excited for the future of Spring Impact under Emma’s leadership. The Board was particularly impressed by the strength of her track record, her thought leadership on scale, and the passion and energy that she brings to the CEO role. This is also a moment to thank Mohamed. Over the past six years he has grown Spring Impact into an organisation that many in the sector now look to first on scaling impact, that is doing the most impactful work in its history.”

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Scale Strategy & Model | Lean Testing | Maternal and Child Health and Well-being

The National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to driving measurable, sustainable improvements in children’s health.

By partnering with communities, health care providers, policymakers, and public health leaders, NICHQ advances solutions that improve outcomes and strengthen systems of care for mothers, children, and families.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Uganda | Strategy | Scale Readiness Recommendations | Preventing Violence Against Children

Bantwana Initiative Uganda (BIU) is on a mission to ensure every child grows up free from violence. Their flagship SAFE program works across families, schools, and systems to create protective environments where children can thrive.

The scale of the problem is staggering: three in four Ugandan children experience some form of violence in childhood, one in three girls are sexually abused, and nearly half of all abuse comes from parents or caregivers.

Against this emergency, scaling SAFE is not optional , but essential.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Scale Strategy, Lean Testing| Health, Women’s Economic Empowerment | Sub-Saharan Africa

Unjani Clinic operates a growing network of primary healthcare settings, owned and led by mainly black women nurses, delivering affordable, high-quality care to underserved communities while generating employment and fostering local leadership.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Roma communities are among those most affected by family separation in Bulgaria, a challenge shaped by systemic barriers and by limited opportunities to define their own needs and responses.

The Social Innovation Lab, part of our Solid Ground for Children programme, was established to develop community-led solutions to this issue.

Experimental and collective, the Lab brought together a diverse group of majority Roma actors to design and test new approaches.

This report documents what they found. It explores:

What the innovation lab makes possible that conventional projects can’t
How Roma communities understand family separation, and why the picture is more complex than it first appears
What worked, what didn’t, and what the prototypes revealed about community-led change

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Transforming menstrual health from an overlooked issue into a national priority. Enabling 6.5 million health transactions for underserved communities. Newborn care practices that existed in policy for decades finally becoming routine in public hospitals.

These are the results of four organisations – Be Girl, Karma Healthcare, Community Empowerment Lab, and Healthy Entrepreneurs – that have achieved a level of impact that many aspire to.

Developed through a partnership between Spring Impact and Grand Challenges Canada, this case study series captures their scale breakthroughs and examines the strategic choices that made them possible.

Across different contexts and geographies, key lessons emerged:

Engaging the right layer of government is critical. Organisations succeeded by focusing on the part of government that controls delivery infrastructure, not the one that sets policy.
The most important evidence is that which answers the questions your next adopter is asking, rather than those of your current funders. When scaling with government, focus on generating implementation research for governments rather than abstract impact data.
Every new thing you ask the system to build is a reason not to adopt. The most durable and scalable models shrink their own role over time, embedding into existing infrastructure, and not running alongside them.
Adoption has to be the rational choice for the actors carrying the solution forward. Nobody adopts a solution just because it’s technically strong. They adopt one that reduces risk, and aligns with existing incentives.
Affordability must be solved by the business model design. Financial sustainability in lower-income markets does not come from applying a standard commercial approach and hoping volume will compensate for low ability to pay.

These stories show what becomes possible when organisations start with scale in mind and are supported by patient, flexible funding that allows them to adapt, absorb risk, and align with how systems actually function.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

The Training Manager will lead the delivery and development of Spring Impact’s training portfolio.

Main responsibilities:

Programme delivery: Oversee high-quality facilitation across multiple programmes, translate business development scopes into project plans, and manage end-to-end training delivery.
Partnerships and external representation: Build trusted relationships with partners and funders, act as an external training expert, and represent Spring Impact at events.
Content and quality: Sign off content, lead quality assurance, and ensure consistent facilitation standards across all programmes.
Business development: Grow the training pipeline, develop proposals and contracts, and drive the creation of new capacity-building offers and learning infrastructure.
Team and line management: Line manage team members, coordinate associates, and strengthen internal training capability.
Organisational contribution: Contribute to organisational learning, codify best practices, support recruitment, manage project and team budgets, and make informed decisions on delivery, communications, and partnerships.

To apply, please submit your CV via the Prospectus website.

Deadline for applications: 28th June

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Following a period of sustained growth and increased impact, we are now seeking to appoint our next Chief Executive.

Over the past decade, Spring Impact has established a strong track record supporting non-profits, funders and social enterprises to scale their impact. Through advisory work, multi‑client programmes and practical tools, we have helped hundreds of organisations expand their reach while strengthening the quality and durability of what they deliver. Today, Spring Impact occupies a distinctive position, combining the discipline and rigour of a consultancy with a deep commitment to social impact.

This is a unique opportunity to lead and evolve a high‑performing organisation while contributing to the wider field of social impact and systems change. Building on strong foundations, the Chief Executive will sharpen strategy, strengthen financial resilience and ensure high‑quality delivery across a global portfolio. As Spring Impact’s external ambassador, our Chief Executive will deepen funder and partner relationships, shape thinking on scaling what works, and lead a collaborative, inclusive and high‑performing team.

The role will suit someone who brings:

Proven senior leadership experience (CEO, Executive Director, Managing Director or equivalent), ideally within social impact, philanthropy, consulting or global development contexts.
Demonstrable success in building and sustaining high-value external relationships, particularly with major funders, foundations, or institutional partners.
Experience leading and developing diverse, high-performing teams, with a clear commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Experience working across international contexts, including in Sub-Saharan Africa and with multi-country teams, programmes or partnerships.
A deep commitment to Spring Impact’s mission to ensure good ideas do not stay small

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a values‑driven, financially sound organisation with global reach, a strong reputation and significant potential to extend its influence and impact further.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 500 words) via the Prospectus website.

Recruitment Timetable

Deadline for applications: 13th May
Interviews with Prospectus: 18th – 20th May
Interviews with Spring Impact: w/c 25^th May

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

You are not failing. The rules have changed.

Most social leaders we speak to are putting in huge effort to find a solution for the crisis that emerged in 2025.

They’re writing endless proposals. Building new relationships. Constantly responding to shifting priorities. Reworking budgets over and over again.

If this sounds familiar, it’s not because you’re doing something wrong.

Over the past year funding was constricted. Flexible funding is harder to secure. Expectations around proof, costs, and long-term viability have risen.

You might be thinking: ‘This has always been hard’
And you wouldn’t be wrong.

The problem is that under the increased pressure, a familiar pattern accelerates, one we collectively worked hard to move away from.

Funding is chased first.

The work is reshaped to fit what is available.

Then the chase starts again.

This feels necessary. Responsible even. But over time, it takes a huge toll.

Instead of deepening what works, and building towards a well evidenced scalable model, energy is spread across too many fronts: multiple pilots, constant adaptation, and no clear path forward. Strategy becomes harder to explain. Leaders carry the weight of every decision without clarity, and burnout becomes hard to avoid.

The problem is clear. The funding landscape changed. Expectations have shifted. Uncertainty is at an all time high.

The solution, however, isn’t to push harder.

The old equation

For a long time, the fundraising equation relied on volume:

Funding Certainty = More applications + More conversations + More tactics

In tighter conditions, that equation starts to fall apart.

What matters now is not how much funding you chase, but whether the logic behind it actually holds.

A useful pause is to stop asking “How do we raise more money?” and instead ask two, harder questions together:

What does it actually cost to deliver our solution at scale?
And who would realistically choose to pay for what, over time?

Put plainly, your funding model is not a long list of funders. At its core, it’s a way of making those two questions explicit.

The new equation

Your Funding Model = What it costs + Who pays for it

If either stays fuzzy–cost or payers–the whole model stays fragile, and exhaustion and uncertainty set in again.

Importantly, the alternative to stopping the chase is not to slow down or care less.

It means taking time to name the assumptions you’re already making. To test whether they still make sense. And to decide, with intention, what you’re actually building towards.

The pause matters. Without it, leaders keep running while the organisations stay dependent on short-term wins. This is the exhausting and now unsustainable cycle.

A clearer funding model doesn’t solve everything. But it gives leaders something many are missing right now:

A defensible story they can use with boards, funders, and teams.
A way to say no without guilt.
And a path based on choice, not just survival.

The pressure will sound very familiar to many, if not most. You’re not alone.

Razor-sharp clarity is no longer a nice-to-have. It’s part of good leadership.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

StrongMinds was created to deliver group-based mental health support to women and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. Early on they had evidence of impact, and demand was clear.

In theory this was a partial success.

The funding challenge even when you have impact and demand

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.

How they shifted from chasing grants

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.

What they designed by intent

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.

What changed financially

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.

Creating a mental and organisational shift

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.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Most organisations only think about cost per outcome when funders push back.

Healthy Learners made an entirely different choice. From the beginning, they treated cost as a design rule, not something to optimise later.

They asked one simple question: Could a government actually run this themselves with their own staff and budget?

That question shaped every decision that followed.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

For social enterprises, NGOs and other impact-focused organisations, consortiums are rarely the easy path to scale. They tend to be slower, more complex and harder to manage than working with a single organisation. But consortiums can also produce solutions that are broader in perspective, stronger in legitimacy and more resilient in practice.

Take the KUWAZA child protection consortium in Zanzibar, involving Pathfinder International, ActionAid and C-Sema. Government stakeholders were more willing to back the model precisely because it came from a united front of NGOs, not from one organisation advancing its own agenda. That collective credibility helped the initiative gain traction and expand its reach.

Over the past few years, Spring Impact has supported the KUWAZA initiative and other consortiums tackling issues ranging from child protection to women’s economic empowerment, in geographies that include Bulgaria, Egypt and Zanzibar.

Each brought different histories, structures and ambitions, but together they highlight important lessons about what makes scaling through consortiums distinct, and how to make this sort of collaborative effort work.

In a recent article for NextBillion, Emma Colenbrander, Managing Director at Spring Impact, shares five key lessons we’ve learned from working with multi-organisation partnerships.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Scaling with government matters for big impact. But it’s hard to get right and many are navigating it without a map.

We reviewed dozens of case studies, insights, and reflections to chart what works in practice.

Developed with Instiglio and LGT Venture Philanthropy, this summary brings together what we know about how nonprofits embed innovations in public systems – and provides answers to the key four questions that always shape the journey:

What kinds of solutions can governments adopt?
How do we find the right home, and who are the best champions?
How do we set ourselves up for success?
How do we best support government ownership?

The evidence reveals clear patterns, but also exposes critical gaps in what we know. Our 2026 study will fill those gaps and uncover the biggest missing piece: the government’s perspective.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

I just got back from SOCAP25 where something stood out: in a sector that feels fragmented and under-resourced, lasting impact won’t come from invention, but from alignment.

When things feel unstable, the instinct is to turn inward. But this can cost us.

When the problems around us outgrow what any single organisation can deliver, partnership stops being a backup plan. It becomes the proportionate response.

The courageous way forward is to look outward and explore mergers, alliances, and co-designed initiatives that multiply our impact.

So how do we move towards partnership as strategy, not compromise?

Here are three mindsets that stood out to me:

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

We’ve just come back from Opportunity Collaboration, where the conversations were honest and urgent.

One truth – not new, but reaffirming – stood out: the nonprofit sector is at an inflection point. The familiar models of funding and growth no longer suffice. New ones are taking shape.

And while money matters, it’s only one part of the equation. Collaboration is proving just as critical. Mutual learning, sharing insights, and experimenting across organisations is vital.

So how can we prepare for the future? Here are three shifts to watch closely:

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Two recent articles gave me pause about how we think about evidence for scale.

One, Measuring More and Learning Less by Marco Di Natale in Stanford Social Innovation Review, argues that organisations are collecting more and more data but not necessarily building the capacity to learn from it.

Another, from Root Capital in NextBillion, warns that we’re increasingly mistaking satisfaction and perception data for real evidence of impact.

Taken together, they raise an uncomfortable possibility: We may be over-investing in measurement, while underinvesting in learning.

And sometimes we may be measuring the wrong things altogether.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

First, we know that impact at scale is not just about growing an organisation – it’s about sustained, transformative, evidence-based change that keeps people at the centre. It means addressing root causes in ways that interrupt vicious cycles and reduce the prevalence of problems in the long term.

Second, we also know that no one can drive this level of change alone. Achieving meaningful impact requires deep collaboration – not just among implementing organisations, but also between funders, and between funders and implementers.

So, how can funders invest in a way that strengthens partnerships and drives lasting impact?

Here are five shifts that can make a difference:

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

As part of our series on funding, using lessons from 28 non-profit leaders on the roles and trade-offs of different funding types, this week we’ll be diving into a ‘hot topic’, philanthropy.

A major pillar of non-profit funding, we often debate how sustainable philanthropy is as an income source. Some argue that non-profits must find funding models with enough income generation to sustain the model, whilst others argue that philanthropy is actually the most sustainable source as it is the least volatile to things such as economic crises.

Whether sustainable or not, our study showed how philanthropy remains a lifeline for most non-profits, including those scaling at impressive levels. Philanthropic funding makes up 68% of the funding of the 28 non-profits in our report.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Most social leaders we speak to are putting in huge effort into fundraising.

They are writing proposals. Building relationships. Responding to shifting priorities. Reworking budgets again and again. And still, funding remains the biggest barrier to scale. Over the past year, funding conditions have tightened. Large aid budgets have been cut. Flexible funding is harder to secure. Expectations around proof, cost, and long-term viability have risen.

In this environment, a familiar cycle takes hold.

Funding is chased first. -> The work is reshaped to fit what is available. -> Then the chase starts again.

Over time, this takes a toll. Leaders feel exhausted. Strategy becomes harder to explain. Energy gets spread across too many fronts, with no clear path to scale. For a long time, fundraising was treated as a volume game. The underlying equation looked something like this:

Funding certainty = more applications + more conversations + more tactics

When funding felt uncertain, the response was to do more. In tighter conditions, that equation starts to break. Pushing harder no longer creates certainty. It just speeds up the cycle. What matters now is not how much funding you chase, but whether the logic behind it actually holds.

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

In February, we had the pleasure of hosting an event in Johannesburg.

It was held to celebrate our amazing partners and the work they’ve been doing in the region as part of our Women’s Economic Empowerment programme, bringing together 35 leaders from across Southern Africa.

One of the organisations present, sharing their experiences and learnings, was MOSAIC. Led by Tarisai Mchuchu-MacMillan, they support survivors of domestic and intimate-partner violence; an endemic issue across the region, with MOSAIC expressly focusing on South Africa, where 1 in 3 women experience abuse.

I first met Tarisai and the MOSAIC team when I joined Spring Impact. Hearing from them again was a reminder of the incredible work they do, and how far they’ve come.

The lessons Tarisai shared were ones I’ve seen unlock real breakthroughs for organisations at a similar stage.

Here are three that stood out:

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Most organisations spend months developing a strategy, with workshops, retreats, and strategy decks, and yet a year later, things feel almost exactly the same. The strategy wasn’t wrong; it just never became real.

What separates organisations that execute from those that don’t isn’t the quality of their thinking. It’s whether they follow a clear sequence of decisions and actions after the strategy is written. Miss one step, and progress quietly stalls.

Here’s that sequence:

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report

Securing Non-profit Funding for Scale

We've investigated how 28 non-profits across 70 countries secured funding to increase their reach and impact

Many of us have experienced the thrill of a new solution—a passionate love affair with innovation. But to achieve large-scale impact, we need to fall in love with the problem, not the solution.

One Acre Fund made a significant shift from a solution-centric model to a flexible, problem-driven approach.

Watch Andrew Youn, their Co-Founder, explain how this transition allowed them to dramatically expand their reach to 4.5 million smallholder farmers.

Watch the video

EXPLORE THE INSIGHTS

What we've learned

The findings emphasise the importance of long-term support to sustain impact at scale, and reinforce philanthropy's continued critical role in enabling it.

Non-profits still need philanthropy, even when operating at big scale

23 out of the 28 organisations interviewed have philanthropy as their primary source of funding, with ongoing philanthropic support normally required to sustain their impact at scale.

Unrestricted, long-term funding enables scale and sustainability

Unrestricted funding makes up 67% of the 28 non-profits’ funding, allowing non-profits the flexibility to allocate resources where they are most needed and respond quickly to challenges.

Governments are critical for scale, but provide minimal funding

All 28 organisations in our study engage with the government in some capacity, but only 8 receive funding for the ongoing support they provide governments in implementing a solution at scale.

Non-profits need to bridge funding gaps left by partners

All types of partners usually require long-term support to deliver the solution, but will rarely pay for it. Only 4 out of 28 non-profits receive payments from other NGOs or CBOs.

Embedding costs in partners' existing systems is key

13 of the 28 organisations in this study have achieved scale by embedding at least some aspects of their solution into existing government structures, such as health, education, or transport systems.

Explore the insights

Download report