Mango training's overview of financial sustainability for NGOs. It uses the metaphor of nurturing a precious tree and provides a quick picture of what NGOs need to do to create a financially sustainable organisation.

1. THE TREE OF LIFE
How to plan for financial
sustainability in your NGO

2. Just like a precious tree,
we have to take good
care of our NGO if we
want it to thrive and bear
fruit this year – and
beyond.

3. A tree needs a
regular supply of
water, light and
nutrients.

4. Strong
stakeholders
In the same way,
organisations need a reliable
and varied supply of funds and
support.
Both need to draw on reserves
during dry spells.
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Reserves

5. Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Reserves
And just as a tree needs strong
and healthy roots to sustain its
growth and development, an
NGO must have strong
foundations of financial
management - systems and
skills.
Strong financial management

6. Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
A tree also needs a
strong and healthy
trunk to support its
branches and fruit.
Just as your NGO
needs a clear
strategy to support its
financial goals.
Reserves
Strong financial management

7. Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Financing Strategy
A tree also needs a
strong and healthy
trunk to support its
branches and fruit.
Just as your NGO
needs a clear
strategy to support its
financial goals.
A financing strategy
is a planning process
which identifies how
you plan to achieve
financial continuity and
security, now and in
Strong financial management
the future.
Reserves

8. A financing strategy
includes setting key
financial targets and
policies for income
generation, building
Reserves
reserves and covering
Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Strong financial management
core costs.
Financing Strategy

9. A financing strategy
includes setting key
financial targets and
policies for income
generation, building
Reserves
reserves and covering
Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Strong financial management
core costs.
Financing Strategy

10. Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Financing Strategy
Reserves
We must also be aware of
any internal or external
RISKS that could threaten
our valuable resources.
Strong financial management

11. Reserves
Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
For our NGO, the bugs and poison
are things like risks of fraud, theft,
bribery, loss of credibility, loss of
funding or inflation.
Funds dry up
Bribery &
corruption
Bad publicity
Financing Strategy
Inflation Theft
Strong financial management

12. Reserves
Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Funds dry up
These MUST be
managed, not left to
Bribery &
corruption
Bad publicity
Financing Strategy
Inflation Theft
Strong financial management
chance!

13. Reserves
Strong
stakeholders
Unrestricted
funds
Mixed
basket of
income
Funds dry up
Bribery &
corruption
Bad publicity
Financing Strategy
Strong financial management
This is the ‘Tree
of Life’ – use it
to plan your
NGO’s long and
fruitful future!
Inflation Theft

14. Find out more about
planning for financial
sustainability on
Mango’s FREE online
Guide to financial
management for NGOs

15. Want to learn more?
Join us on our Planning for
financial sustainability (ST1)
course.
Now available as an
eWorkshop!
Find out more here

16. www.mango.org.uk
Helping NGOs do money
with their money