Clinics
Funding Clinic
In order to raise funds all organizations must first answer three basic questions, -- Who Are You? Where Are You Going? and How Do You Intend to Get There? Most organizations can answer the first two questions without much difficulty. However, the last question is typically where one finds the greatest confusion among staff, management and the board.
The Funding Clinic is an individual, 1-day workshop designed for those organizations that want to begin a funding campaign, but are unclear about first steps. When a strategic plan is not feasible either because of lack of funds, time or a base of support has yet to be organized, the Funding Clinic is a useful alternative. Similar to creating a strategic plan, the Funding Clinic requires a realistic look at almost every phase of your organization.
The Clinic has several objectives for an organization in transition: to prioritize its development efforts in accordance with current funding trends; to formulate an operating budget that adequately supports the delivery of its core programming; and to maximize already established funding sources. The Clinic is a necessary first-step before embarking on a funding campaign, beneficial for new ventures, organizations with budgets under 500K, or organizations trying to locate in the short-term (6 to 12 months) a 15% increase in their bottom line.
Budgeting Clinic
For most, nothing creates such panic and confusion as the prospect of assembling a budget. Whether a project budget or annual operating budget, most organizations find the process filled with contradictions and guesswork. The Budgeting Clinic eliminates the guesswork, by combining theory and application, so organizations understand the value behind all those numbers.
The Clinic focuses on an organization's Audit, Operating Budget and Project Budgets. Discussion includes such topics as: how to read a budget; Earned & Contributed Income; developing a budget around your fiscal year; how to include 'overhead' costs in a project budget; and how to forecast your costs for an upcoming project.
Finally, attention is given to linking your financials with your long-term strategic planning and fund raising efforts. At the conclusion of the Clinic, organizations have operating budgets for the previous, current and upcoming years; as well as budgets for each of their core programs.