How to Make Your CIC’s Impact Last Beyond the Funding Period

Funders want to invest in projects with long-term value.

One of the biggest evaluation questions funders ask is: What happens after the funding ends? Many CICs struggle to answer this, but a strong sustainability plan increases your chances of future funding.

3 Ways to Show Your Project’s Longevity
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1. Build Strong Partnerships

• Funders love to see CICs collaborating with others (e.g., local councils, charities, businesses).
• Example: “We partnered with a local business to provide in-kind resources, reducing costs and increasing our reach.”

2. Explore Alternative Income Streams

• Consider membership fees, sponsorships, or small fee-based services to sustain your work.
• Example: If you run workshops, could you charge a small fee for businesses while keeping them free for vulnerable groups?

3. Empower the Community

• Are you training volunteers or local groups to carry on the work?
• Are you creating resources (guides, toolkits, training materials) for long-term use?

Make Your CIC’s Work Sustainable
A well-documented evaluation proves your long-term value to funders. If you need help crafting a sustainability plan that funders will love, we offer expert evaluation services for CICs.
Email us today at [email protected] to find out how we can help!