Following a most successful Fundraising Institute Australia Conference, and so many fabulous chats with all our clients, partners, and other supplier friends in the sector, it seems like a great time to share our check list that For-Purpose organisations may find useful when looking for the right product and supplier to help in delivery of your mission.
Read on for your checklist for For-Purpose success.
1. Knowledge & skills
Does the supplier have the sector knowledge that will add value to your existing knowledge base? Are there case studies they can show you of how their service has benefited other organisations like yours? Do they have the skills and ability to transfer that knowledge to your team to build internal capacity while implementing the solution?
2. Track record
How long have they been working in the For-Purpose space? Speak to others who use their service. Anyone can tell you how great they are and of course, we all think our product is the right solution! Or do we? Strategic Grants, for example, knows that some of our products may not be the right solution—yet—for every For-Purpose organisation seeking funding. If we don’t think you are ready to be in a position to win grants, we will arm you with resources and links to other trusted agencies who can work with your team to get your organisation into a grant-ready position. As we all know, finding the grants is a very small part of a successful and sustainable funding strategy.
3. Trust and values alignment
Is the supplier telling you they are bigger and better than others? Are they making disparaging remarks about other providers? Or are they listening to what you need and advising how their solution can solve your problems? It is that response that indicates they have listened and if they are someone you trust and want to work with.
Fundraising Institute of Australia conference fun with some of our For-Purpose and Funder partners and friends. From left: Chris Mills, Strategic Grants, Ryan Ginard, Minderoo Foundation, Denise Cheng, Equity Trustees, Lisa Allen, The Smith Family and Tanya Hundloe, Freemantle Foundation.
4. Referees
Ask for a list of clients to chat to. If the provider cannot provide these details (may be a red flag right there), check out who they are working with on their website. I am always amazed at the lack of due diligence when purchasing / looking for outsource expertise. Research, research, research!
5. Comparative quotes
When you are asking for quotes, make sure you are clear on what you want from the provider, so that you know you are comparing apples with apples. Cheapest is not always best. But of course, if it feels like both can deliver 100% the same value and deliverables, then price may be the deciding factor.
6. Help is at hand
If you need support, is it readily available? Ensure, of course, that you are clear in the service agreement what the terms of that support are. Once again, responsiveness and the additional support could be the difference you are looking for.
7. Privacy / data security and all things compliance
Having APIs with both Salesforce NFP and RE NXT CRMs, we have been through rigorous data security testing. It’s a great question to be asking anyone who is going to have access to your data or information in their system / online. Good idea to check their business insurances too!
We hope you find this check list useful. Remember, the right expertise is crucial when choosing a supplier! If you need support with any grants queries to strengthen your capacity in building a sustainable funding strategy through effective partnerships, we’d love to connect!
Strategic Grants is Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted team of grants specialists, delivering the largest funding base of AU and NZ funders through the GEMS funding database and wrap around consulting services. Find out more about Team SG here.