After you have developed your coalition’s ability to manage finances and have established your budget, it is time to decide which types of funding to pursue. Your coalition will benefit from seeking more than one type of funding since different sources can supplement funding gaps left by others. Each type of funding also has its own processes, requirements, and considerations.
Funding may be available at the local, state, and national levels. There are five main types of funding that can support your suicide prevention efforts: donations, fundraisers, grants, membership dues, and fee-for-service activities. Some of these funding sources are “restricted,” meaning they can only be used for previously established purposes described in formal agreements. Others are “unrestricted,” meaning they can be used for any coalition needs. The chart below compares different characteristics of these five types of funding.
Be sure to use your annual budget to identify the amount of funding to pursue across the different types of funding available. For example, a budget can show how much unrestricted funding you need to meet your coalition’s administrative needs. Keep in mind that you will not be able to pursue every type of funding all the time.
Be responsive to your coalition members’ preferences as well as your budget. As a coalition, discuss which types of funding are the most feasible to pursue. For example, your coalition members may support hosting annual donation drives. But they may feel that membership dues would prevent key community members from joining the coalition. As you discuss potential types of funding, consider the culture of your community.
For additional information on pursuing funding opportunities, visit the Community Tool Box: Getting Grants and Financial Resources.