Are you in the camp where it’s “Use It or Lose It?’ With your annual budget, I mean. Is there a rule that says if you don’t use all the money allocated to your budget line items, then you never see that money again, in the following fiscal year?
Many of you are.
Which means, you’re probably keeping very close tabs on your bottom line, and are keenly aware of any and all shortfalls in this area. You’re in lock step with where you’ll land on Jan. 1.
So if you have the good fortune to have some extra cash waiting to be spent, what to do? How do you maximize what extra you have found in your coffers, without spending on something frivolous or knee-jerk?
Here’s some thoughts:
- Invest in grant training. The ROI could be tremendous. If you have an associate that either wants to learn about grants, or you have someone earmarked to move into that role, giving them grant training – something like my Unlock-Grants course would be perfect! – would not only help them move from beginner to intermediate (and help your bottom line!), but help mentor them through any and all situations they may encounter FOR A YEAR, with the weekly live group calls I offer. They get training PLUS a mentor! COST: $1,199 for the year. Multiple staff members can take advantage of a single registration.
- Level up your grant staff with the Next Level grant training offered by GPA. For those on your staff that are already at an intermediate level, Grant Professionals Association offers Next Level grant training. Monthly classes help advance their grant career. COST: $249 for GPA members, $299 for nonmembers. For those with 3-5 years’ experience that want to dive into federal grants, GPA offers Next Level Federal grant training. Monthly live online sessions for a year. COST: $595 for non-members, $495 for members.
- Invest in other professional development for your staff. An AFP membership (Association of Fundraising Professionals) includes loads of learning and networking opportunities. COST: $290 + select chapter dues per year for a Professional level membership. For the grant writer or grant writer wannabe on your staff, a GPA membership (Grant Professionals Association) might be just the thing. Tons of benefits. COST: $225 + select chapter dues per year for a Professional level membership. Both adhere to a Code of Ethics and the Donor Bill of Rights. Your staff gains a broader world view of their profession, and you gain higher retention and happier employees!
So you see, there are ways to spend any extra cash you have left in your budget NOW, that will pay you back IN THE FUTURE! Investing in this way will mean a more professional, motivated, and knowledgeable staff. What a boon for them – not only offering them great perks, and giving them a feeling of value and worthiness of your investment, but also offering YOU a way to improve your bottom line at this time NEXT year! You will be growing future leaders, and strengthening your workforce and their ability to work smarter for YOU!
Think about Unlock-Grants for your staff new to grants, about Next Level for your intermediate and advanced grants staff, and about an AFP membership for all your fundraising staff and GPA membership for all the grants staff! What a win-win these investments would be!
Good luck with balancing your End-of-Year budgets. I hope my ideas help you out! Please check them out!
For more on this and other grant topics, visit my full blog catalog. To learn more about the Unlock-Grants Course Click Here!
