You and your partnership may want to make your intervention activities or efforts a permanent part of your community. By institutionalizing the intervention, more time will allow for greater likelihood to make lasting change. Also, keeping your program alive will be more cost effective in the long run than creating new programs in the future to address the same problem.

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Some ways to help you institutionalize your efforts:

•  Consider applying for 501 (c) (3) non-profit status. A good source of information about how to become a 501 (c) (3) organization is from the University of Missouri Extension at http://extension.missouri.edu/cd/orgdev Other helpful websites for creating and sustain non-profit state are: www.irs.gov/charities, http://foundationcenter.org/getstarted/tutorials/establish/index.html and http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitbasics/ht/startingsteps.htm
•  Secure alternative long-term funding, such as endowments or planned giving arrangements. Endowments are donations given to the organization that is invested so that an annual income is produced.
• Plan initiative efforts when developing the project so that they could eventually be incorporated into an existing community institution. For example, you may create an after school program, that could be potentially adopted by the local school district.
• Think about potential policy changes that could help your organization sustain its efforts. Your partnership may be able to change regulations or laws in your community through advocacy efforts or other social change mechanisms.

• Adapting to Change
• Preserving Energy and Enthusiasm
• Maintaining Partnerships