The term “starvation cycle” for nonprofits refers to a chronic underfunding of programs due to a fear that funders will find the program too costly, a reluctance by funders to cover salaries - often the bulk of agencies’ operating budgets, and a belief that nonprofits can easily make up this deficit through general fundraising.

For more, turn to the content developed by the Bridgespan Group and posted on the 9/4/19 issue of the Chronicle of Philanthropy.