Said every board, every year.

This is an incredible idea. In theory all organizations should be ensuring diversified revenue streams. That’s how organizations stabilize and grow safely.

The downfall is when this grand plan comes without any additional human capacity or strategy behind it.

The Excitement of Something New

A new revenue stream is fun; it can be exciting to implement and scratch that creative itch while providing a break from the potential monotony.

But if you keep starting the new and fun thing, how are you maintaining and/or growing the “old revenue” streams? How are you choosing where to focus your limited time and energy?

Are you being strategic, or is your organization chasing the metaphorical high of something new and fun? And ugh, dare I say something… “sexy”?

We’ve All Heard It Before

Heard over and over again in board meetings, fund development committee meetings, or on calls immediately following budget discussions:

‘Lets apply for that new grant, they said minimum grants start at $100k’
‘Let’s run a golf tournament this year’
‘That national organization has a great Planned Giving Program – let’s do that’
‘Why don’t we have any monthly donors – lets start a program!’
‘Gala’s make so much money, lets plan one this year’

Tell me I’m wrong.

You can’t, because if you are a fundraising professional, you’ve heard this before, or gasp maybe even fallen victim yourself.

Diversifying revenue streams is the 2026 version of “Ask Oprah”.

The Questions We Should Actually Be Asking

What our senior leaders need to say, or to hear is:

‘What makes sense for US?’
‘What do we have the capacity TO DO WELL?’
‘What is our community ready for?’
‘What aligns with our community’s interests and capacity?’
‘Who do we know that can support this work, or partner with us?’

Strategy Over Shiny Objects

Small nonprofits need to be strategic, look at what they’re currently doing, what makes sense, and where the greatest likelihood of success lies.

Sometimes you need an outside person to help see the forest through the trees. Insert finding a fundraising consultant here.

We can:

• Help review where you are
• Where you can comfortably move
• Where you can step out of your comfort zone
• And what lies in the “one day” pile

A FRACTIONAL FUNDRAISER can help support the work to move your organization forward.

The Right Opportunity Might Not Be the Obvious One

Maybe that $100k grant isn’t a good fit, but your board secretary’s wife sits on the community investment team at a large company and would set up a meeting to discuss your new program.

Perhaps your front-line staff member spent the day at a conference and met a fellow professional who is the recipient of funds of a private family foundation that they would introduce you to.

And what if that volunteer that comes in weekly mentions their adult kiddo’s company golf tournament wants to support a new organization this year. They don’t want to get involved but wanted to pass some info along.

You Don’t Have to Do Everything at Once

Or maybe, you are a small organization, and these opportunities haven’t presented themselves yet.

Encourage your staff and volunteers to talk about your organization.

You can’t do everything at once, well.

Decide what makes sense for your organization, right now, that can be done well. Over time, with consistency, you can expand, grow, and stabilize.

And if you can, invest in a fractional fundraiser and maybe, slowly and strategically begin to diversify your revenue streams.

Deanna Carruthers – May 2026