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Programming Budgeting Support sources Raising revenue Planning a budget Resources Programming Nonprofits accomplish their missions through programs. Programs are activities that provide services. These services may be offered to the public or to the nonprofit’s members. Programs are closely connected to a nonprofit’s mission. Consider a nonprofit whose mission is to prevent forest fires. This nonprofit would run programs that help prevent forest fires in some way. Many programs might serve this purpose: One program might bring volunteers to schools, to educate students about fire safety. Another program might give fire safety brochures to hiking clubs. Another program might sell T-shirts with a logo. The logo could remind hikers to prevent fires when they hike. To be effective, programs must understand the real needs of their clients. They must respond to those needs directly. Nonprofits often conduct research to learn how they can best help clients. This research shows what clients need, and how those needs can be met. Programming research may be conducted by experts. However, it also should contain input from clients themselves. Programs often start with a brief “test period.” This test period is known as a pilot. Pilot programs run for six months to one year. They allow the nonprofit to see how well the program functions. After running a pilot, nonprofits may improve the program. When the final program is launched, it will run effectively. INSTRUCTIONS | YOUR MONEY | YOUR COMMUNITY | NONPROFIT | FAMILY GIVING | RESOURCES PRINTER FRIENDLY | TELL A FRIEND ©2006 Learning to Give