A critical component of investment readiness is having a viable revenue model and financial resiliency, demonstrated through diversified revenue streams, sustainable cash flow and financial management. Social finance investors will look for organizations that can demonstrate their ability to balance social outcomes with an ability to generate sufficient revenue to repay any finance. Research suggests that organizations that manage to find new revenue streams dramatically improve their chances of securing new investment.
This module will support SPOs in their strategic approach to diversifying their revenue by critically assessing their current internal readiness and identifying new revenue generation and impact investing opportunities. It will help SPOs build a customized roadmap to attract new revenue and impact investing sources while bringing greater financial sustainability to their organization.
Who should participate?
- SPOs interested in developing diversified revenue streams that can be utilized to secure and repay impact investments
- SPOs interested in developing new revenue streams and taking advantage of emerging impact investment opportunities to enhance their financial sustainability
- Individuals or leaders in a fundraising, finance and/or revenue generation positions, (e.g. management & leadership, paid staff, board members, committed volunteers). No advanced knowledge of specific aspects of revenue generation and/or social finance is required.
Upon completion of the module, SPOs will be able to:
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities associated with revenue diversification and impact investment
- Apply a framework to assess if further exploration of revenue diversification and/or impact investment is warranted for their organization
- Describe and identify organizational characteristics and related strengths and weaknesses
- Evaluate and compare different forms of revenue generation streams and impact investment opportunities
- Identify the forms of revenue generation and impact investment opportunities best suited to the context of their SPO
- Develop a framework for evaluating specific opportunities, based on the insights revealed through this process
- Develop a Revenue Diversification and Financing Strategy and Implementation Plan
- Demonstrate the viability of a revenue model to project investment readiness
All modules include:
- Two participants per SPO included in price; builds two SPO champions for longer-term organization-wide capacity and competency development
- Access to two expert coaches with personalized knowledge of your SPO gathered through pre-engagement exercises and personalized support throughout the module
- Adult-learning specialist designed modules that go beyond learning and skills transfer, to ensure enhanced capacity with application of tools and knowledge to SPO-specific circumstances
- Content aligned with the latest evidence on investment readiness and based on best-practices in the respective field and developed with subject matter experts
- Webinars and workshops delivered in cohorts (small-group settings); delivery tailored to your SPOs particular needs, challenges and opportunities
- Access to exclusive tools, resources and additional readings
- Involvement in a community of practice including support for ongoing application of new tools, approaches and strategic thinking leading to a sustained community impact
Participant Commitment: SPOs will be expected to complete module-specific assessments and pieces of work throughout module delivery (during sessions, between sessions and after completion of sessions) to ensure SPOs apply their new knowledge to their organization.
Dan Kershaw Furniture BankWorking with the LIFT team and its partners has truly been transformative for Furniture Bank. LIFT’s contributions have built the capacity of our board and senior management team. They helped us to adopt best practices in governance, enhanced our strategic planning and processes and ultimately helped us document a National Scaling Strategy. We already see the difference as we grow our impact in the GTA, build new partnerships and diversify our revenues. We are now positioned to rapidly accelerate our scaled impact as we rollout a national expansion plan.”