Community Centred: The Impact of Relationship-Based Fundraising on Strathcona Community Centre

This project explores the impact of neoliberal funding on non-profit organizations. Framed by relevant literature on current funding models, community development and social capital, this research consists of an in-depth case study of the Strathcona Community Centre Association in order to contextualize and understand that organization’s success at generating revenue through relationship-based fundraising. The project uses a mixed methods approach, including document analysis and interviews with key informants. The organization’s reputation and longstanding commitment to community development are key to the Strathcona Community Centre’s fundraising success, however the particular historical, geographic and demographic context within which it is located means that this model is not replicable. Furthermore, the need to focus large amounts of time and energy on precarious, short-term sources of funding perpetuates the cycle of financial instability and organizational vulnerability.