Strategic revenue diversification for philanthropic hubs

: developing a sustainable funding model for rede capital social's House of Philanthropy

Abstract

Revenue concentration creates significant challenges for nonprofit organizations, with research demonstrating that reliance on single funding sources not only increases financial vulnerabilities but also limits organizational autonomy and capacity for mission expansion. This thesis examines how Rede Capital Social, a Portuguese nonprofit promoting strategic philanthropy, can structure and optimize a diversified revenue model for its proposed House of Philanthropy initiative to generate sustainable income beyond its current membership fee model. Employing a single-case study with mixed-method approach, the study integrated financial analysis of RCS's current model, systematic benchmarking of four international philanthropic hubs, qualitative online interviews with RCS associates, and assessment of Portuguese public funding opportunities. The financial analysis revealed critical vulnerabilities in RCS's single-source model. Benchmarking identified fifteen transferable revenue practices, while stakeholder validation confirmed strong demand for knowledge-based services over space-related offerings. The study mapped ten key public funding instruments enabling blended financing approaches. As a result, an integrated revenue model was developed featuring fourteen prioritized channels implemented through a four-phase strategy, emphasizing knowledge-based services, collaborative initiatives, and strategic use of public funding. These findings contribute to nonprofit revenue diversification theory while providing actionable guidance for organizations navigating financial sustainability in emerging philanthropic ecosystems.

Date of Award	1 Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rute Xavier (Supervisor)