As with all organisations, sustainability is a challenge and the context of economic crisis is contributing to the challenge. Sustainability will depend on ensuring that organisations are not dependent on one type of funding. Much of our case studies have been keen to develop a good funding mix that includes income generation from sales and fees, contracts and grants.

Beyond financial sustainability is the sustainability of people's involvement – whether they can stay enthused and committed, and whether they have the time to provide the support the organisations need. This varies from person to person, and requires the organisations to know their employees and supporters sufficiently well to stay in tune with their interests and have a good understanding of what they are able to offer.  Often essential to remaining relevant within your local community is securing a beneficial partnership with other agencies working in the area, and our case studies demonstrate a variety of ways in which this has been made possible.

• Diverse funding structure
• Adapting to people
• Forging partnerships/collaborating