An Interview with Jodina Hicks, Executive Director, UrbanPromise

• UP's focus is to diversify funding sources, with individuals from the surrounding community composing the primary giving base.
• UP's goal is to build long-term relationships with individuals and actively engage them. We don't seek one-time/short-term giving.
• Every staff person has a role with fund development.
• It is important to get potential funders on site. If/when they see UP
  in action, they are very likely to give and connect to the UP mission.
• Donors receive from our youth, as well as give to them. Youth are part of the fund-development scenario by both giving and receiving from our donor base.

FS: What advice would you give to organizations similar to yours in size and annual operating budget?
JH: Keep an eye on diversification of funding sources, and cultivate long-term funders. Short-term/one-time giving can be damaging, particularly if there is not a clear path to sustaining/replacing short-term opportunities.