Role of Funders:
What are some tips for funders interested in funding efforts to fight chronic homelessness?

Ten Tips for Funding Efforts to Fight Chronic Homelessness

Each year, between 250,000 and 350,000 individuals spend long periods without a place to call home. The good news is that proven, successful strategies for ending chronic homelessness exist. While the problem seems daunting, we can end chronic homelessness in our nation. Here are ten tips from the Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness for foundations and other funders working to achieve this goal.

Tip #1: Be prepared to make a sustained commitment. If you are just getting started or are reviewing the focus of your foundation, work with your board to draft a mission statement or outcome goals that include a multi-year approach to this work.

Tip #2: Do your homework. This is much more than simply doing due diligence about a particular provider. A very successful practice has emerged in this field. But it is not represented everywhere. As a funder, you can play a key role in promoting innovative, humane and cost effective approaches in your community. Organizations ready to help with references, research and connections include:

Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness (www.endlongtermhomelessness.org)

National Alliance to End Homelessness (www.naeh.org)

Corporation for Supportive Housing (www.csh.org)

Tip #3: Identify partners. This is a critical step. Try not to reinvent the wheel. If there are others who have had success in this area, partner with them, if you can. Partners can include intermediary funders like LISC and Fannie Mae, local government agencies, and, of course, other funders in your region.

Tip #4: Be willing to become a leader. By making the commitment early on to tackle this issue, you can marshal the best resources and the brightest minds. 

Tip #5: Be patient. See #1. By necessity this will be a long-term investment for your organization. The complexities, especially around real estate development, are multi-layered and can be quite challenging at times. Here’s where allies and collaborators make a big difference. Reach out to other funding partners for ideas, advice and support.

Tip #6: Be persistent. Use the gentle power of philanthropy as a persuasive tool in your meetings and discussions. You will find that this comes in handy especially when dealing with government officials and other community leaders.

Tip #7: Be creative. A funder is often able to see problems from an outside perspective and bring experience and contacts from other areas to bear on new solutions. Even if this is a new area for your organization, your perspective and relationships bring value.

Tip #8: Keep your focus. You’ll have to make tough funding decisions around this issue. Know that you will see the biggest impacts when you focus your funding and stay consistent with your mission.

Tip #9: Even if you may start small, don’t be afraid to think big!

Tip #10: Ask for help. The Partnership to End Long Term Homelessness offers a wealth of resources for funders looking to make an impact on homelessness in their communities.

Other questions & answers related to this topic:

Why is homelessness an important issue for funders?

What other networks exist for funders with an interest in causes related to homelessness?

Private and Family Foundations: What is Your Role?

Community Foundations and Regional Funders: What is Your Role?

What types of funding are needed to develop effective and sustainable supportive housing?

How can I find supportive housing programs and other initiatives to end homelessness in my own community or state?

What other types of support can funders provide to help fight homelessness?