How should we approach the discussion of funding models in nonprofits and specifically organizations that make information available for others?

1. Funding Models in Mission
Information
A Both/And Perspective

2. What is a Funding Model?
A repeatable way to get the funds needed for your work.

3. Why Mission Information is Hard to Fund
● It sits behind the front-line impact
● It’s contribution is not understood or valued
● It attracts agendas that are hard to navigate
● It is seen by many as primarily a mobilization tool and not a
strategic tool (marketing not decision-making)

4. Why the Old Ways of Funding Info Aren’t Working
● The “who” in global missions has changed
● The “what” in mission information has changed

5. Who is the information really for?
● Practitioners globally are involved in collecting, analyzing and
applying mission information
● Funders of research generally have different uses for it than
practitioners

6. The Problem
Funding for mission information is difficult, there are diverse audiences
who are driven by competing expectations.

7. Three Postures
Ideological: My way is right
Pragmatic: Whatever way works
Practical: Align the way with values

8. Assumptions about Funding Models
● Funding models are designed to oppress the powerless
● There are good and bad funding models
● Funding models are a necessary evil
● Funding models are not compatible with each other

9. Responding to These Assumptions
● Funding models are tools to enable value creation for everyone.
● Funding models are not inherently good or bad.
● Funding models enable lasting ministry.
● Funding models are meant to balance each other out.

10. Open Access
Open = Everyone
Access = Come, See and Take

11. Examples
● Patronage: Wealthy donors make it free
● Self-funding: Individuals give their time & abilities to make it free
● Institutional: Governments, NGO’s and Foundations make it free

12. The Magic and the Trap
● Magic: infinitely scalable
● Trap: The funding is murky and less dependable

13. Sustainable
Solutions
Sustainable = Lasting
Solutions = Responses to Problems

14. Examples
● Donor Funded: Raising recurring donations towards projects
● Product Sales: Selling info within subscriptions or one-time products
● Professional Services: Selling services that turn info into insight
● Data Licensing: Selling the rights to deploy info in other solutions
● Advertising: Selling advertisements that seek to capture attention

15. The Reward and the Blindspot
● Reward: Entrepreneurship and self-sustainability provide uplift
● Blindspot: User’s needs can get ignored (including financial
barriers)

16. Funding Model
Toolbox
A curated set of funding models developed with mission information in mind
and available for funders and practitioners to pick from.

17. The Solution
A diversified funding strategy that takes into account the difficulty, unique
audiences and diverse expectations inherent in mission information.

18. Let’s Talk
Jon Hirst
jon_hirst@sil.org
www.twitter.com/JonHirstTalks
www.linkedin.com/in/JonHirst