Evidence-Based Intervention Fact Sheets
TCE Prevention/Early Intervention
2001 grantees (cohort 1)
Sustainability Strategies
The TCE team recently held conference calls with eight Prevention/Early Intervention grantees from the 2001 cohort (cohort 1) regarding their sustainability plans. The grantees shared their plans, successes and challenges. As sustainability is always at the heart of program management, we share some of their words of wisdom and experiences with you here:
1. Create a strong and flexible evaluation plan
Many cohort 1 grantees incorporated intermediate data with qualitative evaluation measures to begin to share their outcomes half way through their grant. They were able to do this because they worked with their evaluators early on to design an evaluation plan that allowed for intermediate data collection points. Evaluation data collected at the mid-point of the program allows you to share "preliminary" results and show progress towards stated goals with potential funders and champions. It's a way to not only introduce your program to these potential partners but also to show real progress. It creates an additional opportunity to explain how your program is meeting the community's needs. In place of outcome data, proxy data and/or qualitative data can also be used effectively to show positive results at the midway point. Many of the grantees said that their initial outreach efforts would have been extremely difficult without solid, strong evaluation data showing their program was working.
2. Engage champions and partners early and frequently
Many of the cohort 1 grantees began the process of identifying champions during the first year of their grant. These were individuals who would be able to assist funding, outreach, strategic planning, and connecting to future funding sources. They then began establishing long-term relationships with them. Most felt the way to gain champions at this early stage was to introduce their program even as it was beginning to establish itself. They took the time to explain the highlights of their grant, the resources available to the community and how it addressed prevention/early intervention within the community. Once a relationship began, grantees nurtured it by periodically returning and presenting progress reports. Evaluation data acquired mid-way through the grant allowed them to solidify their credibility and plant the seeds for future sustainability assistance. Advice from cohort 1 grantees: Before you approach potential champions, assess what support you'll need over the course of your grant and beyond. Then begin to create a long term relationship to achieve those ends.
3. Create a formal sustainability plan
Many of the grantees created a formal sustainability plan developed in conjunction with their champions/partners. A formal plan can provide guidance on aspects of your program to sustain, whether to move towards institutionalization or to seek other funding. Such a plan provides overall vision and a road map and it can also lay out the timing of your sustainability activities. The Finance Project has a tool for constructing a sustainability plan that some grantees have used with success: http://www.financeproject.org/
Other tips:
- Participate in high profile events such as state or national legislative events or philanthropic events.
- Plan for sustainability almost from the time you get your grant - it's never too early to scout out potential champions.
- Analyze your program and determine at the mid-point what parts of your program are most successful, which areas should be sustained, which parts are nice to have but can't be sustained.
- Determine early on which audiences should be interested in your work and seek out opportunities to introduce your program to them.
- Connect with national advocacy groups who may be able to make connections on national and local levels.
