FUNDING – review your funding mix, are you over reliant on one stream? Do you have multiyear contract funding or one off grants that may be soon up for renewal? Consider how you intend to meet any shortfall in your income stream?

FORECASTING – make sure that you do some and that they are realistic. Plan in some ‘what if scenarios’ just in case that grant doesn’t materialise. Regularly review and flex as appropriate, take action early if required.

FINANCE – manage your cash. Chase debtors. Ensure pricing is competitive and includes overhead costs. If in difficulties, seek help; arrange payment plans with the large creditors and keep key stakeholders informed.

FOCUS – on the services that meet your charitable objectives. Review projects offered and the costs to provide them. Prepare regular management information and set key performance indicators. If cut backs are required be mindful of associated costs such as redundancy and contractual costs.

FUNDRAISING - How you would cope with a fall in donations? Review your existing fundraising activities and explore new approaches to develop practical outcome measures. This could be particularly useful if reliant on government funding.

Join FORCES – merger does not necessarily mean a legal merger of organisations; consider collaboration on projects or joint ventures of related activities, project partnering or grouping. This can save costs, increase income and build on experience for the next project.

And a bonus F, don’t be FRIGHTENED to explore new opportunities. Battening down the hatches can cause an internal focus. Investment will be required to maintain existing services and develop growth and all organisations should be long term planning to ensure that they continue to move forward.