Grant Writing Toolkit
Depending on the type of project you're proposing, funders will sometimes ask you to provide a sustainability plan: they're interested to know whether your project will continue beyond the life of the grant.
Sustainability won't be applicable to all projects but will depend on the nature and purpose of your project.
If sustainability is relevant for your project, think about how your project might continue after the grant has ended; this is important if you're looking for longer-term impact.
Sometimes a funder will ask you to describe your project’s scalability.
Scalability often refers to ways in which a project could potentially be adapted on a larger scale, used in a broader environment, or applied to a different context.
Tips for Program Sustainability
This tip sheet includes a brief introduction to sustainability, how to develop a sustainability plan, and some key tips.
Strategies for long-term sustainability of an initiative
The Community Tool Box provides a comprehensive explanation of project sustainability and includes a self-assessment and examples.
Demonstrating sustainability: A must for grant writing (3:22 mins)This short video is aimed at not-for-profit organisations but mentions some best practice tips for writing about project sustainability, including diversified funding streams, data-driven programming, commitment to the project, and a highly engaged leadership team.
Program Sustainability Assessment Tool
The Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St Lois have developed a sustainability tool to help you develop and plan the sustainability of your project. The website is very comprehensive and offers valuable advice regarding sustainability. The Tool is better suited to larger projects but offers planning advice relevant to all projects.
The Intervention Scalability Assessment Tool
The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre have developed a comprehensive tool for assessing the scalability of interventions, particularly in the health industry. This Tool can also be used to identify factors to consider when writing about scalability.