Diversify
Happy Spring Equinox. Today I’m going to share a little about Natik funding strategies.
Since I love mixing metaphors, let's just say this is more of a nuts and bolts than a warm and fuzzy message, but sometimes stating what might seem obvious can help keep things real.
First of all, as in all things financial, the mantra is “Diversify, Diversify, Diversify”.
A long time ago, when yours truly was the only staff member, the board and I leaned into the cultivation of individual donors. We had to start somewhere and we knew that foundations and other granting entities would ask “what happens to the organization when the grant ends?”
The right answer to that question is that we’ll keep functioning exactly the way we did before the grant because we have a strong baseline of loyal, generous donors who believe in Natik.
Fast forward fifteen years to five team members, eight grants, and 250 donors. Moving right along. Not fast, not big. But very solid.
This year, our intrepid board members are helping us get the word out about Natik because it’s time to increase the donor base. In April we’re organizing Meet Natik events in Fort Lauderdale, New York City, Boston, and Chicago.
We’d love to see you if you’re in or near any of those locations. It would be great if you could bring someone new with you: a family member, a friend, or a colleague Ticket prices include a buffet of hearty appetizers and a drink, plus a small donation to Natik.
In September there will be events in different cities. An old friend always says that Natik is small but mighty. Yep, that’s us -- we've got the mojo of hummingbirds!
As you know, one of our mission goals is Sustainable Livelihoods. We strongly believe that generating discretionary income from products and/or services is essential for the financial maturity, integrity, and independence of nonprofits. We also believe that donors and granting entities deserve to know that contributions are long-term investments, not just beams of light that get lost in the black hole of insatiable need.
Poverty will always be with us – until it isn’t. Part of the strategy for breaking generational cycles of poverty is to share some of the basic principles involved in producing dignified incomes with local skills and resources. It all begins with an idea that’s nourished by creativity, strengthened by will power.
Our Sustainable Livelihood program is helping our partners learn entrepreneurial skills. They already have plenty of creativity and will power.
Applying the rule of diversification, Natik strives to set an example by also generating an income based on our skills and resources. In the past we enjoyed facilitating professor-led academic trips, but our academic groups evaporated during the pandemic. We’ve realized that a more reliable enterprise is Cultural Immersions.
To that end, we’ve developed five thematic immersions that we’re excited to share with you. We’ll be promoting these trips from now on, especially at the in-person Meet Natik events.
Please contact me if you need more information or if you have an idea for another type of trip.
Saludos,
Saludos,
Anita Smart
Executive Director, Natik Esperanza
