How do you make a nonprofit ‘investable’ to today’s philanthropic donors? Carol Wick, president of Sharity, explains how stronger planning, financial discipline, outcome measurement, and revenue strategy can help nonprofits attract larger, longer-term investments.

Traditional fundraising often sits apart from operations. Carol argues that this separation leaves organizations chasing gifts without building the infrastructure donors increasingly expect. Drawing on 40 years in the sector and Sharity’s work across 37 countries, she outlines five elements that help philanthropic investors—and boards—feel confident: a functional business plan, a multiyear budget, the right team, measurable outcomes, and a sustainable revenue strategy.

Carol reports that roughly 75% of nonprofits do not have a strategic plan guiding daily operations. She also shares that Sharity clients following its model average a 200% revenue increase within 24 months. Those results begin with a shift in thinking: donors are not only asking whether the mission is inspiring. They want to know what the organization will accomplish, how success will be proven, what it will cost, whether the team can deliver, and who else is committed.

“Nonprofit is a tax status, not a goal,” Carol says. That mindset requires leaders to understand the real cost of every program, identify funding gaps, and confront services that may be ineffective or financially unsustainable.

The conversation also separates outputs from outcomes. Counting meals, bed nights, or counseling hours shows activity. Investors want evidence of what changed because those services were delivered. As Carol puts it, donors “do not want to just know that you were busy.”

Key Takeaways:

* Integrate fundraising with operations, outcomes, budgeting, and long-term strategy.

* Build a three-year business plan, organizational chart, and budget—not a shelf-bound retreat document.

* Measure the change programs produce, not merely the volume of services delivered.

* Calculate the full cost of programs, including wages, benefits, overhead, and depreciation.

* Cultivate both present-focused donors and future-focused investors seeking societal change.

* Use strategic planning as the cultivation foundation for a comprehensive campaign.

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