Showing posts with label fundraising. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fundraising. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Cultivation equals Relationship Building
How are you at making new friends? That skill alone can make or break your development efforts...seriously.
Your organization hosted a Trivia Night and had 40 "guests" in attendance who came with a friend or colleague. These 40 guests were not previously in our data base and therefore not on our radar.
At your event, as all good development people should, you made an ask of attendees beyond the auction and ticket sales, to donate to your cause.
Of those 40, ten did make a small contribution and two individuals made a more substantial first gift.
These 40 should be added into your data base and proper research done; however, your primary attention should be given to the 12 who gave.
Depending on your time and staff, you might choose to meet each of twelve in person but definitely you must, you must meet the two who gave larger gifts in person. Invite them and the person who invited them to the trivia night to coffee one morning to get to know them better.
The remaining ten need, in addition to their formal tax letter receipt, a personal thank you note from YOU.
Finally, the next time you do an email solicitation or direct mail solicitation, include the remaining trivia-based contacts and reference in the solicitation the trivia event where they first came in contact with your organization.
Back to your 12 now hot prospects. These folks are you newest donors. They need to be stewarded carefully. This is why you would want to visit the two (I would visit the 12) in person.
Why a visit you ask? You need to get to know them...truly. Begin to build a long-lasting relationship. In most visits, you need to come prepared to give any additional information about your organization. Your primary purpose, though, is listening. Do they have a story which connects them personally to the purpose of your organization? Share a bit about you and listen to a lot about them.
Follow your visit with a personal thank you.
Stewardship at this point will also include the added things you would do for a friend. For example, did you see something in the paper that Susie Supporter, one of your two larger gifts from Trivia Night, mentioned when you visited her. Cut that piece out and send it to her with a note. If it is electronic, email it to her with a note.
When the next Trivia Night rolls around, you can count on Susie to return...and hopefully bring more friends.
In addition to Trivia, you will want to include Susie and all of your new donors in your complete development plan and roll them into your planned communications for current/new donors.
The remaining new friends who did not make a donation fall into your prospect pool which also deserves attention to turn your prospects into donors.
You will never turn them all into donors but you will gain some, you will also gain publicity that only word-of-mouth can grant. Susie, and all of the 40 for that matter, will share what they did Friday night and this new organization to which they were introduced.
Development relationship building really is like making a new friend...finding out more about them and in the process point them to areas of funding that most closely reflect their goals and desires for giving.
Monday, February 11, 2013
The Development Process: Cultivation
Cultivation is where it all begins, so to speak...
How do you even begin? How do you get to know folks who may be interested in your organization who who have never even met...yet?
Here are some ideas that will get you going:
1. "Who-do" cards/mailings/emails - The best advertisement is word of mouth, right? It is. Send a postcard or mailing with a way to reply to your current donors, friends, etc. and ask them for the names and basic contact information for five of their acquaintances that might have an interest in your organization.
2. One up that idea and go electronic - Send your email list an email to the same effect and on every outgoing email be sure it is forwarding-friendly and encourage everyone on your list to pass the information along. Send out a special email two times a year with the intent of picking up new constituents. Include basic information in that email making it appropriate for your donors and friends to pass along saying, "this is an organization which I believe in and I would like to share some information about them with you."
3. List Share - Collaborate with like-minded organizations in your area to share lists of donors/friends. For instance, if you are one type of arts organization and there is a similar arts organization in your area where you might have an overlap of constituents but you might also be able to pick up new ones, ask if they would like to exchange lists.
4. Chamber of Commerce Lists - Most chambers offer their members access to mailing lists and most already in an Excel format to merge into a letter. This couldn't be easier! Get the list, work through it to remove what you need to and mail out an introductory letter with a reply option. Then, follow up on those letters by phone about 7-10 days after mailing.
5. Event follow-up - At every event, be sure to offer guests a way to get on your list so to speak. Many of your guests will be first-time friends who have come with an existing donor/friend so don't lose those valuable new friends by letting them slip out the door with out getting their contact information and asking for a contribution.
Getting newbies on your list is just the beginning. Next time, we'll walk Susie Soon-to-be Supporter through the process.
How do you even begin? How do you get to know folks who may be interested in your organization who who have never even met...yet?
Here are some ideas that will get you going:
1. "Who-do" cards/mailings/emails - The best advertisement is word of mouth, right? It is. Send a postcard or mailing with a way to reply to your current donors, friends, etc. and ask them for the names and basic contact information for five of their acquaintances that might have an interest in your organization.
2. One up that idea and go electronic - Send your email list an email to the same effect and on every outgoing email be sure it is forwarding-friendly and encourage everyone on your list to pass the information along. Send out a special email two times a year with the intent of picking up new constituents. Include basic information in that email making it appropriate for your donors and friends to pass along saying, "this is an organization which I believe in and I would like to share some information about them with you."
3. List Share - Collaborate with like-minded organizations in your area to share lists of donors/friends. For instance, if you are one type of arts organization and there is a similar arts organization in your area where you might have an overlap of constituents but you might also be able to pick up new ones, ask if they would like to exchange lists.
4. Chamber of Commerce Lists - Most chambers offer their members access to mailing lists and most already in an Excel format to merge into a letter. This couldn't be easier! Get the list, work through it to remove what you need to and mail out an introductory letter with a reply option. Then, follow up on those letters by phone about 7-10 days after mailing.
5. Event follow-up - At every event, be sure to offer guests a way to get on your list so to speak. Many of your guests will be first-time friends who have come with an existing donor/friend so don't lose those valuable new friends by letting them slip out the door with out getting their contact information and asking for a contribution.
Getting newbies on your list is just the beginning. Next time, we'll walk Susie Soon-to-be Supporter through the process.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
The Development (Fundraising) Process
As a small nonprofit that is just beginning or even a nonprofit seeking to build up your donor base, it is vital to keep the steps to successful fundraising in mind.
Development (Fundraising) is a process and it is equally a full set of systems that comprise that process and we'll explain that in more detail later.
Your overall objective is raising money, correct? Your goal (which is best matched to your budget and vice versa) determines your measurement for whether or not you've achieved that objective.
In some respects you are introducing people to your organization and helping them to learn more about it by engaging them in organizational activities. As you meet people through a variety of events, opportunities, even mailings, etc. you begin to "cultivate" these prospects.
As you determine a specific strategy for a prospect, you begin to be more involved in steps that could better be described as Solicitation. Solicitation starts when you begin to introduce your prospect to a specific way or ways they can help support your organization.
After you've successfully asked Mr. Jones for his gift of $5,000 to purchase the scoreboard in the gym, you need to be sure to steward this donor and the relationship he has with your organization. This is a common sense step unfortunately all-too-often overlooked.
Check back next week and we'll unpack the cultivation step a little more.
Have a good week and happy fundraising!
Development (Fundraising) is a process and it is equally a full set of systems that comprise that process and we'll explain that in more detail later.
Your overall objective is raising money, correct? Your goal (which is best matched to your budget and vice versa) determines your measurement for whether or not you've achieved that objective.
In some respects you are introducing people to your organization and helping them to learn more about it by engaging them in organizational activities. As you meet people through a variety of events, opportunities, even mailings, etc. you begin to "cultivate" these prospects.
- Cultivation is step ONE in the development process. Cultivation occurs in every meaningful contact related to your organization and that individual, foundation, or business/corporation. From a solicitation done through direct mail because they were on a list of businesses from your local chamber of commerce to a lunch you scheduled with them to share more about your organization to an event for your organization to which you invited them. Cultivation can also include birthday, anniversary, and Christmas cards as well as sending a newspaper article about a common interest to say, "hey, I thought about you when I saw this." All of those steps are cultivation.
As you determine a specific strategy for a prospect, you begin to be more involved in steps that could better be described as Solicitation. Solicitation starts when you begin to introduce your prospect to a specific way or ways they can help support your organization.
- Solicitation is step TWO in the development process. Solicitation occurs when you realize that Mr. Jones is very interested in private, Christian education and he and his family attended Christian schools. His business is close in proximity to your school and does business as a vendor. He has both the personal affinity to your organization and is related to it through business. You may need a new Scoreboard in your gym that would cost approximately $5,000 and based on your research, that would be a gift he could make. Your job now is to determine your strategy for soliciting Mr. Jones.
After you've successfully asked Mr. Jones for his gift of $5,000 to purchase the scoreboard in the gym, you need to be sure to steward this donor and the relationship he has with your organization. This is a common sense step unfortunately all-too-often overlooked.
- Stewardship is step THREE in the development process. Stewardship can also involve birthday, anniversary, and Christmas cards but it also includes a photo of that beautiful scoreboard with Mr. Jones and your students with the press release sent to the local papers. It includes continuing the connection and continually working on the relationship so that the donor feels connected to his gift after it has been given. All of these details will ensure that the next time you have a need which fits with Mr. Jones' giving interests, he will be more likely to help again.
Check back next week and we'll unpack the cultivation step a little more.
Have a good week and happy fundraising!
Saturday, February 2, 2013
How Did We Do? Evaluating a Fundraising Event
The questions have been asked and answered. The prizes have been awarded and auctions won. The clean up is over and now it is time to reflect...
There are some key questions to think about when reflecting on your event to determine how successful you were and what things you might do differently next time. One of my friends refers to this reflection as, "even better if," as in the event will be even better next time if...
1. the obvious first question is did you make your monetary goal? Any reasons for the fact that you did or did not that are important to note such as weather on the day of the event, unsuccessful marketing of the event, etc.
2. did you sell out, were all your tables sold and filled? Did you actually have to turn anyone away? Was the price appropriate or did anyone balk at the cost?
3. Did you have a successful auction? Were there ample items of varying values and were they all sold? Was check out smooth and were they any problems with check out?
4. Did everyone have a good time? You might have (hopefully you did) provide your attendees with an evaluation form to complete before leaving. What were those results? Did everyone love a certain round? Was everyone able to hear/see the questions, etc?
5. Did staff and volunteers complete their work before and during the event as expected? Did anyone go above and beyond or did anyone stand around and not work?
6. Were sponsors happy with the benefits/recognition that they received for their sponsorship dollars? This is absolutely essential to their willingness to sponsor again in the future.
7. Did your volunteers "show up" in support of the event, table sales, etc? Did your staff and/or families also show their support in table sales, spreading the word, etc.
8. Were your expenses realistic? Did you seek to have donations for goods/services to lesson your out-of-pocket expenses? Did you purchase something to make money? Please don't do that. Purchasing an item for the auction makes little sense when you will not likely get your cost back much less make a huge profit. It is an unnecessary expense.
9. Was there a community response to the event? Were there table sales representing the community that would be evidence of a good marketing plan carried out well?
10. Did you and your team feel that the time and effort you put into the event was worth the outcome? Using 400 man hours at $25 per hour, or $10,000, to make $10,000 does not really make sense, either. Keep your time cost in line with your outcomes.
If you are interested in more information or consulting help for your next event, please contact me at llmdevelopmentservices@gmail.com
There are some key questions to think about when reflecting on your event to determine how successful you were and what things you might do differently next time. One of my friends refers to this reflection as, "even better if," as in the event will be even better next time if...
1. the obvious first question is did you make your monetary goal? Any reasons for the fact that you did or did not that are important to note such as weather on the day of the event, unsuccessful marketing of the event, etc.
2. did you sell out, were all your tables sold and filled? Did you actually have to turn anyone away? Was the price appropriate or did anyone balk at the cost?
3. Did you have a successful auction? Were there ample items of varying values and were they all sold? Was check out smooth and were they any problems with check out?
4. Did everyone have a good time? You might have (hopefully you did) provide your attendees with an evaluation form to complete before leaving. What were those results? Did everyone love a certain round? Was everyone able to hear/see the questions, etc?
5. Did staff and volunteers complete their work before and during the event as expected? Did anyone go above and beyond or did anyone stand around and not work?
6. Were sponsors happy with the benefits/recognition that they received for their sponsorship dollars? This is absolutely essential to their willingness to sponsor again in the future.
7. Did your volunteers "show up" in support of the event, table sales, etc? Did your staff and/or families also show their support in table sales, spreading the word, etc.
8. Were your expenses realistic? Did you seek to have donations for goods/services to lesson your out-of-pocket expenses? Did you purchase something to make money? Please don't do that. Purchasing an item for the auction makes little sense when you will not likely get your cost back much less make a huge profit. It is an unnecessary expense.
9. Was there a community response to the event? Were there table sales representing the community that would be evidence of a good marketing plan carried out well?
10. Did you and your team feel that the time and effort you put into the event was worth the outcome? Using 400 man hours at $25 per hour, or $10,000, to make $10,000 does not really make sense, either. Keep your time cost in line with your outcomes.
If you are interested in more information or consulting help for your next event, please contact me at llmdevelopmentservices@gmail.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Do I Really HAVE to Follow Up on Event Fundraising?
In a word, "yes," you really do have to follow up and when you do, you'll reap some great rewards!
Your letters have been sent complete with a great sponsorship opportunities page and you've got your script in hand to do those follow up calls. Here are some thoughts on how to proceed.
1. Think strategically about specific businesses to ask for your larger sponsorships and do that by phone. You might consider doing that BEFORE the letters go out and then, as a part of your telephone conversation, let them know to expect the letter.
2. Call EVERYONE on your list, EVERYONE and follow up. Divide your list into manageable volunteer lists, provide them with a script, and ask your board of directors, parents, and/or other volunteers to make five to ten phone calls for you.
3. Keep a really good list (I personally prefer excel for project-based follow up) so that I know who said yes, who said no, who I need to call again, and when follow up such as picking up an auction item is needed.
4. Delegate more than just the phone calls, delegate the follow up items, too, such as picking up those auction items.
I would add a note here to say that I truly believe that people are hesitant to ask someone for something and even more so when they have to do it by phone or in person. The internet via Facebook and email are so much more "incognito," so to speak. If you are making the calls or if you are managing volunteers making the calls, the strategy is the same. Be the cheerleader and encourage your folks. Five phone calls in a day. You can do this! I once heard an author say that she struggled to do her five required pages each day for a particular book so she put five candies across the top of her computer and as she finished a page, she enjoyed a candy. Provide for yourself or your volunteers a nice, small, gesture to say that you appreciate the work.
Your letters have been sent complete with a great sponsorship opportunities page and you've got your script in hand to do those follow up calls. Here are some thoughts on how to proceed.
1. Think strategically about specific businesses to ask for your larger sponsorships and do that by phone. You might consider doing that BEFORE the letters go out and then, as a part of your telephone conversation, let them know to expect the letter.
2. Call EVERYONE on your list, EVERYONE and follow up. Divide your list into manageable volunteer lists, provide them with a script, and ask your board of directors, parents, and/or other volunteers to make five to ten phone calls for you.
3. Keep a really good list (I personally prefer excel for project-based follow up) so that I know who said yes, who said no, who I need to call again, and when follow up such as picking up an auction item is needed.
4. Delegate more than just the phone calls, delegate the follow up items, too, such as picking up those auction items.
I would add a note here to say that I truly believe that people are hesitant to ask someone for something and even more so when they have to do it by phone or in person. The internet via Facebook and email are so much more "incognito," so to speak. If you are making the calls or if you are managing volunteers making the calls, the strategy is the same. Be the cheerleader and encourage your folks. Five phone calls in a day. You can do this! I once heard an author say that she struggled to do her five required pages each day for a particular book so she put five candies across the top of her computer and as she finished a page, she enjoyed a candy. Provide for yourself or your volunteers a nice, small, gesture to say that you appreciate the work.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Event Sponsorships Part II
Event Sponsorships Part II
Thanks for checking back...so talk about some specific examples of sponsorship levels and recongition opportunities for your potential donors.
Remember the trivia night event idea from yesterday? Let's set a goal of $20,000 for our first time. How are we going to achieve such a lofty goal our first time out with this event.
Let's consider this...
Sponsorships can help you achieve goals, provide income to help you spread the word, and you are helping the sponsor to get their name out, too.
Try this as a possible Sponsorship Opportunities piece:
$5,000 Gold Sponsor
$2,500 Silver Sponsor
$1,000 Bronze Sponsor
$ 500 Table Sponsor
But, think about what you can offer these sponsors at the various giving levels.
At $5,000, the exclusive Gold Sponsor would receive One table with premier seating for 10, Logo recognition on your website, logo recognition in the event program (250), recognition in your annual report (or similar publication listing all donors), logo recognition on table, verbal recognition by emcee during the event, logo recognition on slide during event, recognition via a press release distributed to X number of media outlets in your community.
At $2,500, a Silver sponsor would receive One table with premier seating for 10, Logo recognition on your website, recognition in the event program (250), recognition in your annual report (or similar publication listing all donors), logo recognition on table, recognition on slide at event, recognition via a press release distributed to X number of media outlets in your community.
At $1,000, a Bronze sponsor sponsor would receive One table with seating for 10, recognition on your website, recognition in the event program (250), recognition in your annual report (or similar publication listing all donors), recognition on slide at event, recognition via a press release distributed to X number of media outlets in your community.
At $500, a Table Sponsor sponsor would receive One table with seating for 10, recognition in the event program (250), recognition in your annual report (or similar publication listing all donors), recognition on slide at event, recognition via a press release distributed to X number of media outlets in your community.
If you sold one Gold Sponsorship at $5,000, one Silver Sponsor at $2,500, two Bronze Sponsors at $1,000, and four Table Sponsors at $500, you would bring in $11,500 in revenue.
Add to your sponsorships, the cost of ticket sales and your auction piece and you will most likely reach that goal!
Another thought is to allow one of your $1,000 sponsorships to perhaps be a gift-in-kind grocer who is willing to donate food and drink to the event.
Tune in next time for Part Three where we'll break down the pathway to your event goal and discuss tips and tricks for getting in touch with your potential sponsors.
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Event Sponsorships Planning
Event Sponsorships and Fundraising Efforts (PART ONE)
It has been suggested that your organization try an event to raise funds this year. What to do? Where do you start? Here are some tips to help get your inaugural event off the ground with great success.1. Select your event and determine who would be most likely to be interested in attending...what audience would enjoy a golf tournament, a trivia night, a bowl-a-thon, a gala, etc. The list of possible events is quite literally endless.
2. Determine the financial goal of the event. If you are hosting the first ever Trivia Night to benefit your child's school, you might set a goal of $15,000.
3. Find the location, determine total capacity crowd, set a reasonable price for individual tickets and then ponder sponsorship possibilities.
4. Generally speaking, a place to start with sponsorship levels looks like this: "Gold Sponsor" $5,000; "Silver Sponsor" $2,500; "Bronze Sponsor" $1,000; Table Sponsor $500. Individual tickets for this same event might be $25 per person for a total table cost of $200 to $250 depending on table size.
5. Develop your sponsorship prospect list. Who, corporately speaking, would be interested in sponsoring something with your intended audience? If the event is for your child's school in your local community, your likely prospects would include local community businesses as well as businesses related to education and perhaps vendors to your school (those who sell their services to your school).
6. Develop and send your first mailing with a personalized letter and a "sponsorship opportunities" page. Your "sponsorship opportunities" page also needs to include ways in which the company can and will be recognized for their gift. Suggestions include: a table of 10 with premier seating, logo recognition on website, printed publications, a placard in your school, etc. Think outside the box for options that are free and inexpensive but will definitely give your funder bang for their buck.
7. Be sure to do phone follow up a week to two weeks following your letter's drop date. Get a "yes," a "no," or a "maybe," for each company to whom you mailed a solicitation letter.
8. Depending on your event, you may want to also solicit auction items for a silent or live auction option to raise additional funds. This is attractive to attendees of a trivia night, gala, and golf outing.
9. You will be marketing your event as you progress toward your date so be sure to tout your fundraising success thus far. For example, you might include in a press release announcing the event, "The Super School is hosting a Trivia Night sponsored by XYZ Corporation, ABC Company and others who have contributed to evening's events."
10. Be sure to follow up with your sponsors throughout the process and be sure to mix and mingle with them on the evening of the event so they can see how beneficial their gift was...to the school as well as to their own business.
Coming in part two of this post will be a breakdown of sponsorship levels with recognition as well as scripting for follow up calls...check back!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Announcing...a new fundraising blog!
LLM Development Services is proud to announce our new blog! Great news and a wonderful opportunity to share tools and tips to help you reach your fundraising goals.
Recently, a client asked us to write their appeal letters to individuals, corporations, and foundations. The proposal we provided to them included a script for volunteers to use when calling to follow up on the letter as well as a timeline for mailing, follow-up phone call, thank you letter (s), and an additional letter for non-responders.
Additionally, we wrote a letter for both renewals as well as prospects and included updated giving levels.
Their results were fantastic! Their goal for individual renewals alone was exceeded by 33%. That's great to hear. What was even better was hearing the following:
"We are thrilled! We will definitely use your [LLM Development Services] services again!"
Woohoo! This is exciting stuff!
What is the first thing you can do to improve your fundraising bottom line? Simply start...start researching, start asking, start evaluating, start, start, start...
The one thing that will hold you back is the fear of starting. So, don't let one more day go by without doing something, anything, to move your business forward. Tomorrow or even tonight before you go to bed, send one email, take a look at one website, and say that you did something rather than nothing to take a step in the forward direction!
Happy Fundraising!
Lisa
Recently, a client asked us to write their appeal letters to individuals, corporations, and foundations. The proposal we provided to them included a script for volunteers to use when calling to follow up on the letter as well as a timeline for mailing, follow-up phone call, thank you letter (s), and an additional letter for non-responders.
Additionally, we wrote a letter for both renewals as well as prospects and included updated giving levels.
Their results were fantastic! Their goal for individual renewals alone was exceeded by 33%. That's great to hear. What was even better was hearing the following:
"We are thrilled! We will definitely use your [LLM Development Services] services again!"
Woohoo! This is exciting stuff!
What is the first thing you can do to improve your fundraising bottom line? Simply start...start researching, start asking, start evaluating, start, start, start...
The one thing that will hold you back is the fear of starting. So, don't let one more day go by without doing something, anything, to move your business forward. Tomorrow or even tonight before you go to bed, send one email, take a look at one website, and say that you did something rather than nothing to take a step in the forward direction!
Happy Fundraising!
Lisa
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Researching Potential External Funders
You've been charged the task of raising money for your school. Perhaps you are already a fundraiser, as I am, with a variety of experience. Either way, whether you are experienced or not at all in fundraising, you will need to seek out the best fit in external funders for your organization or school.
Your "constituents" seem pretty obvious, right? School families, church families if it is a church-based school, local businesses perhaps, but what after that? Where do you go next?
A good old Google search will provide some information.
For example, "education grants in Illinois," "art education grants," and other similarly specific searches will give you direction.
Target, http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031819 offers grant funds to elementary schools for the purpose of education.
In the St. Louis area, Innovative Technology Education Fund, http://www.enhancinglearning.org/ offers funding to schools specifically for the purpose of upgrading technology.
You can also locate a listing of Foundations by state http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/Foundations/mo.htm for Missouri listings and http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/Foundations/il.htm for Illinois listings.
Sit down at your computer with a cup of coffee and peruse the listings. You will be able to cross most off the list by definition; however one good lead is all you need.
Once you have that one good lead, research past grant recipients, find out all that you can about their grants, processes, what they like to fund, etc.
Another very important aspect of grant-writing is begin succint and making a very specific ask. To write a grant and simply ask for $15,000 because you need $15,000 in your general operating fund will not fly. Find a needed project and then write a grant requesting funding to meet that need. Some things are easier to write for than others; however, the overall objective is to match your need to the funder's desire to donate.
Let's take the Target art grant for example. They do not typically fund "art supplies." Ask your art teacher what they would really like. A successfully written grant applcation will request, for example, the "John Smith" art series which highlights famous artists with books and videos which can be integrated into the current curriculum. Another request might be funding for a specific guest artist to interact with the students.
As you are being specific with the ask, you must also be specific and reasonable with your anticipated costs. Let's go back to the artists curriculum additional material. The cost of the curriculum is $XXX, shipping is $XXX.
If you think about the guest artist, you might list their cost for the event, travel expenses if required, food, etc. Think in terms of everything you would need to completely implement the event/project.
Next time we'll look at the typical parts of a grant application and how to complete them.
Your "constituents" seem pretty obvious, right? School families, church families if it is a church-based school, local businesses perhaps, but what after that? Where do you go next?
A good old Google search will provide some information.
For example, "education grants in Illinois," "art education grants," and other similarly specific searches will give you direction.
Target, http://sites.target.com/site/en/company/page.jsp?contentId=WCMP04-031819 offers grant funds to elementary schools for the purpose of education.
In the St. Louis area, Innovative Technology Education Fund, http://www.enhancinglearning.org/ offers funding to schools specifically for the purpose of upgrading technology.
You can also locate a listing of Foundations by state http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/Foundations/mo.htm for Missouri listings and http://www.nonprofitexpert.com/Foundations/il.htm for Illinois listings.
Sit down at your computer with a cup of coffee and peruse the listings. You will be able to cross most off the list by definition; however one good lead is all you need.
Once you have that one good lead, research past grant recipients, find out all that you can about their grants, processes, what they like to fund, etc.
Another very important aspect of grant-writing is begin succint and making a very specific ask. To write a grant and simply ask for $15,000 because you need $15,000 in your general operating fund will not fly. Find a needed project and then write a grant requesting funding to meet that need. Some things are easier to write for than others; however, the overall objective is to match your need to the funder's desire to donate.
Let's take the Target art grant for example. They do not typically fund "art supplies." Ask your art teacher what they would really like. A successfully written grant applcation will request, for example, the "John Smith" art series which highlights famous artists with books and videos which can be integrated into the current curriculum. Another request might be funding for a specific guest artist to interact with the students.
As you are being specific with the ask, you must also be specific and reasonable with your anticipated costs. Let's go back to the artists curriculum additional material. The cost of the curriculum is $XXX, shipping is $XXX.
If you think about the guest artist, you might list their cost for the event, travel expenses if required, food, etc. Think in terms of everything you would need to completely implement the event/project.
Next time we'll look at the typical parts of a grant application and how to complete them.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
How to Set an Appointment with a Funder
So, you've done a little research and found a great grant opportunity! Good for you! Now, the work begins. Funders state that they WANT potential grantees to contact them, to let them know what they are doing, and keeping them updated on their project(s).
I think it's somewhat difficult for fundraisers to really believe that funders WANT to see you...they really do. How better to get your great story about your very important project? Before you make the call consider a couple of things:
1. Check your information and get the most up-to-date contact name and phone number. As an aside, this is NOT a place to email unless you've been instructed to do so. An old-fashioned phone call is the ticket here.
2. Write a script beforehand to be sure you cover all the points you need. We all get a little nervous and sometimes we're prepared for the voicemail and when a real voice answers, we get a little shook up.
Here is a sample script I've used before:
Hi, this is Lisa Masters with XYZ. Is Ms. ABC available? Ms. ABC, I am working on a project for XYZ and I was hoping I could set down with you for 10-15 minutes to get your input on how best to proceed in the grant process.
You will get an appointment or you will be pointed in the direction of the right person to contact. Sometimes this is the Executive Director and sometimes it is a Program Director or similar titled person.
In any event, you've made the first, best, and most important step....keep going!
Next time we'll have some tips for getting fully prepared for this all-important meeting!
I think it's somewhat difficult for fundraisers to really believe that funders WANT to see you...they really do. How better to get your great story about your very important project? Before you make the call consider a couple of things:
1. Check your information and get the most up-to-date contact name and phone number. As an aside, this is NOT a place to email unless you've been instructed to do so. An old-fashioned phone call is the ticket here.
2. Write a script beforehand to be sure you cover all the points you need. We all get a little nervous and sometimes we're prepared for the voicemail and when a real voice answers, we get a little shook up.
Here is a sample script I've used before:
Hi, this is Lisa Masters with XYZ. Is Ms. ABC available? Ms. ABC, I am working on a project for XYZ and I was hoping I could set down with you for 10-15 minutes to get your input on how best to proceed in the grant process.
You will get an appointment or you will be pointed in the direction of the right person to contact. Sometimes this is the Executive Director and sometimes it is a Program Director or similar titled person.
In any event, you've made the first, best, and most important step....keep going!
Next time we'll have some tips for getting fully prepared for this all-important meeting!
Monday, February 6, 2012
Technology Grant Awarded!
A process started in April of 2009 culminated in that much anticipated, "you have been awarded..." telephone call.
It had happened! It had finally happened!!
I was on a quest for technology funding for our school which was a about 5 years or more behind the proverbial curve. The following details a portion of the story...
1. Searched online for "technology grants, technology funding, funding for private schools, etc."
2. Found the Lutheran Foundation in St. Louis and saw that they had indeed funded some schools.
3. Applied and was denied from the Lutheran Foundation
4. Listened to a Lutheran Foundation staff person at an Association of Fundraising Professionals "Meet the Donor" breakfast and they noted that funders like to hear from those requesting grant funds.
5. Contacted the Lutheran Foundation staff person who directed me to their president.
6. Met with the Lutheran Foundation president for lunch and presented information about our school and asked for direction. *sent a thank you letter
7. She put me in touch with the executive director of the Innovative Technology Education Fund with whom they work in granting funds to Lutheran schools.
8. Contacted the Innovative Technology Education Fund (ITEF) executive director who put me in touch with their program officer.
9. Met program officer from ITEF for lunch and presented our marketing information . I explained what we were looking to do and asked for direction. *sent a thank you letter
10.Applied for grant with as detailed information as possible and with suggestions from the program officer.
11.Received word that we were selected for a site visit.
12.Prepared for and hosted a successful site visit. *sent a thank you letter
13.Heard those wonderful, wonderful words, "you have been awarded a grant!" *sent a thank you letter
Nearly three years had passed since we began. What are our lessons?
You must perservere, you must research and get on the phone and ask questions.
Don't be afraid to meet and ask a funder what they suggest.
Always, always have information prepared to give to a funder to back up your reasoning for requesting a grant.
When you return from a meeting, a great phone call, a site visit, or a congratulatory phone call, ALWAYS send a thank you letter on professional stationery.
When communication throughout the grant application process, be completely honest, ask questions if necessary.
Return grant paperwork as soon as possible
Maintain accurate records as grant fund purchases are made so that impact, mid-grant reports, follow up reports, etc. are easily assembled.
Next time: How to get a meeting with a funder!
It had happened! It had finally happened!!
I was on a quest for technology funding for our school which was a about 5 years or more behind the proverbial curve. The following details a portion of the story...
1. Searched online for "technology grants, technology funding, funding for private schools, etc."
2. Found the Lutheran Foundation in St. Louis and saw that they had indeed funded some schools.
3. Applied and was denied from the Lutheran Foundation
4. Listened to a Lutheran Foundation staff person at an Association of Fundraising Professionals "Meet the Donor" breakfast and they noted that funders like to hear from those requesting grant funds.
5. Contacted the Lutheran Foundation staff person who directed me to their president.
6. Met with the Lutheran Foundation president for lunch and presented information about our school and asked for direction. *sent a thank you letter
7. She put me in touch with the executive director of the Innovative Technology Education Fund with whom they work in granting funds to Lutheran schools.
8. Contacted the Innovative Technology Education Fund (ITEF) executive director who put me in touch with their program officer.
9. Met program officer from ITEF for lunch and presented our marketing information . I explained what we were looking to do and asked for direction. *sent a thank you letter
10.Applied for grant with as detailed information as possible and with suggestions from the program officer.
11.Received word that we were selected for a site visit.
12.Prepared for and hosted a successful site visit. *sent a thank you letter
13.Heard those wonderful, wonderful words, "you have been awarded a grant!" *sent a thank you letter
Nearly three years had passed since we began. What are our lessons?
You must perservere, you must research and get on the phone and ask questions.
Don't be afraid to meet and ask a funder what they suggest.
Always, always have information prepared to give to a funder to back up your reasoning for requesting a grant.
When you return from a meeting, a great phone call, a site visit, or a congratulatory phone call, ALWAYS send a thank you letter on professional stationery.
When communication throughout the grant application process, be completely honest, ask questions if necessary.
Return grant paperwork as soon as possible
Maintain accurate records as grant fund purchases are made so that impact, mid-grant reports, follow up reports, etc. are easily assembled.
Next time: How to get a meeting with a funder!
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