Program on the Environment

Circular economy nonprofits, such as tool libraries, play a crucial role in promoting sustainable consumer habits and practices by encouraging reuse, repair, and resource sharing. However, many of these nonprofits face funding challenges that can limit growth and stability for these types of organizations. This includes maintaining daily operations, expanding services, and achieving long term growth. Because of this, nonprofits must take extra steps in order to reach their funding goals. My capstone project explores strategic funding solutions for Seattle REconomy’s Tool Library. During my internship, I worked with the organization’s funding team to hire a fundraising consultant to help develop a long term financial strategy. My responsibilities included creating a request for proposals (RFP), researching and contacting numerous consulting firms, creating interview questions and evaluation rubrics, conducting interviews, and participating in the selection of the final consultant choice. Hiring an experienced consultant provides professional support to help nonprofits reach their full fundraising capacity, identify new funding sources, and design actionable and sustainable fundraising strategies. Through this process, I found that successful nonprofit funding strategies involve diversifying income streams, strengthening donor relationships, and having a clear mission impact. My internship and research emphasize the need for investment in infrastructure, professional fundraising practices and community engagement. My work with Seattle REeconomy demonstrated that strategic planning and outside expertise can significantly improve the financial resilience of the organization. This ensures that these circular economy nonprofits can expand their environmental impact and community benefit.