The Children's Aid Society

Sustain What You've Started

The Children's Aid Society views sustainability as involving not only aggressive fundraising but also public relations, constituency-building and advocacy. This approach is consistent with that recommended by The Finance Project, a non-profit policy research organization that helps develop creative ways of financing children’s services.

• Fundraising:
  Community schools can attract new funding through public and private sources. They also can generate funds through the reallocation of existing resources. One way to do this would be moving a city-funded social worker from a central clinic into the school.
  For a list of sources of Children's Aid community school funds, click here for a free copy of our Community Schools Sustainability Case Study.
• Public Relations:
  Once you adopt the community schools strategy, it’s important to generate visibility about your new way of doing business and publicize your positive results.
  Remember: Success breeds success.
• Constituency-Building:
  Having champions at many levels can help you sustain your work. This includes civic leaders, parents and students, among others.
• Advocacy:
  Don’t forget to let your elected officials know about your work, and be prepared to advise them about specific ways they can support your community school efforts.