How do non-profits ensure their long-term financial viability?

For many organisations, short-term investment by donors with high expectations of immediate impact as well as intolerance for anything that might go wrong, creates a very fragile financial situation.

With over 150,000 non-profit organisations registered with the Department of Social Development, there is on-going pressure for funding for organisations that do not trade. The long-term financial sustainability of this sector is what often keeps board members and non-profit leaders awake at night.

In addition, donors themselves are concerned about the viability of the organisations they support and there is a move to provide technical assistance and training in fund raising. However for many organisations, short-term investment by donors with high expectations of immediate impact as well as intolerance for anything that might go wrong, creates a very fragile financial situation.