Funding with Hope: What Does It Mean to “Fund the Mission?”

When people hear the phrase “Fund the Mission” they usually think about the most visible parts of our work, beds in the shelter, meals served, case management sessions, or enrichment and housing programs. Those are the things you can see, touch, and measure. They are the outcomes that make a real difference in people’s lives.  

And they absolutely matter. But there’s an important truth behind every service we provide: the mission doesn’t happen without the operations to make it possible. 

Programs are What We Do, Operations are How We Do It  

To serve our neighbors well, we need more than good intentions and strong programs. We need a safe building, reliable technology, trained staff, accountable financial systems, and the capacity to meet the many requirements that come with grant funding.  

For example, our shelter and enrichment center operate out of physical space that must be maintained every single month. Rent, utilities, insurance, and basic building costs don’t disappear just because a grant pays for part of a program.  

Right now, we have roughly $3,000 per month in essential operating expenses that restricted funding does not cover. These are real, unavoidable costs tied directly to keeping our doors open.  

Staffing is another critical piece. Grants often fund specific services, but they rarely cover the full cost of the people and systems needed to deliver them. They also don’t pay for the time required to remain compliant with those grants.  

A perfect example is the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, required by HUD and the federal government for us to even qualify for certain funding. This important community-wide effort takes planning, coordination, and significant staff hours. That work is essential but isn’t reimbursed through grants. Without flexible operating support, we wouldn’t have the capacity to meet these requirements and continue receiving vital program dollars.  

Why “Overhead” is Really About Impact 

For many years, nonprofits were told that “overhead” should be kept as low as possible. But leaders across the nonprofit sector now recognize that focusing only on overhead misses the bigger picture.  

Strong outcomes require strong infrastructure. Quality services require well-supported staff. Accountability requires good systems and responsible management.  

These things are not distractions from the mission; they are what makes the mission possible. Funding the mission means paying the full, real cost of doing the work well, ethically, and sustainably.  

The Unique Power of Unrestricted Donations 

Much of our funding comes with restrictions, meaning it can only be used for specific programs or expenses. That support is incredibly important, and we rely on it every day.  

But restricted dollars rarely cover everything it takes to run an organization.  

That's where unrestricted donations make such a difference.  

Unrestricted gifts help pay for the space where services happen. They help cover the staff time required for compliance and reporting. They allow us to respond when needs shift or unexpected expenses arise. They keep our organization stable, prepared, and able to grow responsibly.  

In short, unrestricted support is the bridge between what grants pay for and what it truly costs to serve our community well.  

A Partnership that Sustains the Mission 

Supporting operations does not mean the community is “underwriting everything”. Instead, it means you are partnering with us to create a strong foundation beneath every program we offer.  

When you give an unrestricted gift, you are helping ensure that services remain consistent, accountable, and available to the people who need them most.  

This is what it really means to fund the mission. Thank you for being part of the team that makes this work possible.