Getting the Funding Mix Right

Introduction

For community organisations, achieving financial sustainability often depends on balancing different income streams to ensure you are not reliant on one or two sources of income.

This resource offers an essential overview of the “funding mix,” breaking down the vital differences between untagged funding—income raised without spending restrictions that can be used to build reserves —and tagged funding, which must be spent on specific purposes agreed with a funder.

Inside this quick guide, you will explore an example of a balanced funding model with links to a template to help get you started. It maps out shorter-term and longer-term revenue streams, showcasing how to combine grant funding, donations, sponsorships, membership fees, social enterprises, and government service contracts to create a resilient financial foundation.