Show me the Money

Money is very tight for most of the not for profit sector. There are a few exceptions but for most, scrambling to keep budgets together is the order of the day.

We all know that to get revenue, agencies will:

1. accept donations
2. charge memberships
3. seek government or trust grants
4. run fundraising events
5. charge fees for service
6. operate commercial ventures

Different agencies will have different mixes of income sources.


LIkewise, Conferences for the Sector are having to draw disparate sources of finance together.
For example, the National Conference on Volunteer and Service in the USA appears to try to do a combination of the fundraising I have listed above. 

Their counterpart in Australia, the National Volunteering Conference follows suit. DJ Cronin on his blog draws into question how much the Conference is charging this year. 

• To attend will cost just under $1000 for registration (before airfare and accommodation)
• To exhibit at a display booth will cost between $10,000. and $50,000.

I have made some critical comments on DJ 's blog about this but today I just want to ask some questions. I am happy for Volunteering Australia or anyone else to answer them. 

1. If only wealthier agencies can afford to attend, which audiences are missing out?
2. What steps can we take that allows the experience of these events to be shared?
3. Volunteering Australia has a stated policy of not promoting anything that is not run by a not for profit. Does this policy get overturned when large sums of money are involved? Is such a policy relevant in an era when we are trying to promote new and different models?
4. How can community agencies, social enterprises and small business models get access to display booths at such conferences?
5. How can we better support Volunteering Australia to get much needed revenue to deliver services?
6. How can Volunteering Australia  connect better with those who are critical of the costing structures rather than avoiding these discussions that may be critical?