Operating on a Shoestring Budget

In preparing for our board meeting on Saturday and reviewing this year organizational finances, I realized that we only raised 49% of the funds needed for our organization's programs and operations. I realized that we are probably not the only non profit organization that did not raised 100% of the funds it needed for the year. However, when we don't raise all of the funds needed for operations and programs, some difficult choices have to be made about what programs will be cut and what operational needs we will do without.

As SEM Link's founder, my priority is to ensure that we provide quality programs each year. Therefore at times, I am willing to absorb some of the operational costs in order to ensure that as much as the money we get from grants, individual and corporate contributions goes towards programs. In addition, some of the professionals that volunteer for our programs were able to bring their own resources for the volunteer activities, which save money on our supply budget. However, we weren't able to help as many students that we wanted to through our Experimental Design Program and Math and Science Career Academy. It truly breaks my heart because I truly desire to impact as many students as I can, but I just have to be thankful that we were able to reach the students that we did reach through our 2008-09 programs.

Just like we all have to make adjustments to our personal budget, SEM Link has to make adjustments and prioritize our organizational budget. However, I truly believe that we can do a better job of generating revenue for the organization; even if we can't raise 100% we can do better than 49%. So internally, the board and staff of the organization is going to increase what we personally contribute to the organization and encourage more individuals and corporations in our network to make financial contribution to the organization. We will find ways to increase the financial contributions from our volunteers and the general public. The main reason that our individual donor campaign is called "Donate Your Lunch Money" because we want individuals to realize that even a small amount of money like what you spend on lunch daily, weekly or monthly can truly help our organization operates in programs. We have also restructured our corporate sponsorship plan so organizations including small businesses and professional societies, just like individuals can recognize that a small contribution to our organization can help as well. In addition, because we are in the days when less and less grant funds are available, we are finding other sources funding for our organization. Therefore we are listed as a charity on websites like www.Goodsearch.com, where you can contribute to the organization by doing things you do on a regular basis such as conducting online searches or online shopping.

Just like it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to ensure that a nonprofit organization has the resources needed to achieve its mission in the community it serves. That is one of the reasons that we renamed our fundraising plan to our resource development plan. We realize that although we do need finances to achieve our mission, that an in kind donation of supplies can help or an professional donating their expertise to the organization that saves us from having to pay for the service will help. So whether you donate your lunch money to help us, a small business owner that becomes our corporate sponsor or begin using www.Goodsearch.com to help us raise funds, you are a part of our village that helps us "increase potential through exposure" and we appreciate your support.