Reframe Overhead

We are a movement of fundraisers, Not-For-Profit staff, and industry leaders working to reframe how charities communicate about overhead costs to build a more impactful Not-For-Profit sector. Join us by signing the pledge and downloading the guide. There’s a myth that donors don’t want to pay for anything that doesn't go directly to a charity's cause. Which means charities don’t speak to the need for investment due to the belief that funders won’t pay for it. But overheads DO make an impact. And our research shows that donors care about the IMPACT of overhead! Technology, governance, fundraising, staff training... all these things help charities help the people and places that need it most. And there is evidence that reducing overheads negatively impacts effectiveness. Without adequate overheads, we get a “non-profit starvation cycle” where charities don’t have enough funds to sustain their work – reducing their ability to do good. So what can we do? We can change the way we frame overhead costs.