The document provides an overview of the history and growth of a non-profit organization called DSL from 1977 to 2008. It started with one program and 5 students and grew to 15 programs and 400 students. The document then outlines the organization's various programs and services. It discusses strategies for building infrastructure, fundraising, grants, annual campaigns, and events to support the organization's mission.

1. Balance Of Support Learning Objectives Relationships are vital to the sustainability and growth of your organization Meeting your members needs and performing the group’s mission will bring financial success Donors are waiting to be asked to invest in your mission!

2. DSL History 1977 Established first infant/ toddler intervention program in Kentucky in partnership with the local school district Enrollment 5 Staff 1 Volunteers 3 1996 4 Programs Enrollment 60 Staff 1 Full time 1 Part time Volunteers 30 2001 6 programs Enrollment 125 2 Full time Staff 1 Part time 60 Volunteers 2008 15 Programs Enrollment 400 Staff 5 Fulltime 3 Part time Volunteers 400

3. Life Long Learning Center New Family Outreach Program Infant Developmental Intervention Toddler/Pre-School Developmental Playgroups School Age Creative Enrichment Program/Summer Camp Sib-Shops Totally Tweeners Social Skills/Communication Development Dreams with Wings Teen Summer Camp Teen and Adult Life Style/ Social Program Steps to Independence Life Skills Programs Adult Literacy Individual tutoring and group classes Everyone Reads Program Behavior Intervention / Family Counseling Career Solutions Job Placement Advocacy for Education Health Community Access Family Networking Events

4. New Campus Life Long Learning Center

5. New Campus Life Long Learning Center

6. Membership and Friends 1977 Membership 15 Friends 40 1996 Membership 84 Friends 350 2001 Membership 225 Friends 650 2008 Membership 720 Friends 14,000

7. Balance of Support Ideal Source of Support 20% Grants 50% Donations 20% Events 10% In Kind Typical Source of Support 10%Grants 10% Donations 70% Events 10% In Kind

8. Donor Profile

9. Building Your Infrastructure Board Structure : Recruit parents, extended family, volunteers and community professionals Percentage of board members of community professionals goal to be at least 40% Establish policies for attendance and participation in fundraising activities and campaigns Establish a Development Committee Include a Development goal in your board’s strategic plan

10. Building Your Infrastructure Members Recruitment & Retention Establish policies and practices to ensure a welcoming environment for all. Inclusive of age, complexity of diagnosis, race, religion, ethnic, economic, or sexual orientation Establish an effective referral network with community partners Develop an effective First Call program including a system for maintaining contact with new parents Host regular networking events appropriate for various age groups When creating programs survey membership for relevancy for their needs

11. Building Your Infrastructure Friend Recruitment and Retention Encourage participation of extended family to attend member networking events and volunteer Contact local civic and business groups to book speaking engagements and encourage members to volunteer or attend events Invite Friends to events and programs that showcases your organization Seek advice from Friends/Supporters within their area of expertise Invite Friends/Supporter to serve on special projects or committees Treasure your volunteers and seek input from experienced volunteers in future planning

12. Building Your Infrastructure Data Base Implement a consistent method of collecting member/friend contact information. Create a data base system to record member’s/friend detailed contact information including donations, volunteer history, career and charitable interests. Allocate volunteer/staff to record and update information

13. Building Your Infrastructure Communications and Public Relations Include a communication/public relations goal in your strategic plan Send all Friends/Supporters your general newsletter Develop an electronic system communication that is informative but not annoying Establish relationships with local TV, Radio and Print media Send press releases in regard to programming events and accomplishments not just fund raising events Portray a Positive Community Presence

14. Grant Basics Must be a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization Competitive /Graded on specific criteria Rate of Success Average 20% Equipment and educational materials are funded at a higher rates than salaries Grantors accept proposals during a specific time frame

15. Grant Basics Identify staff, volunteer or professional grant writer to complete the grant Seek grant writing training Allocate time to identify Grantors who’s guidelines match your needs Create a written descriptive narrative and budget for the request for funds Develop a relationship with grantor’s director

16. Grant Basics Allocate time for reports that Grantors require usually outcome measurements of your program Grantors typically do not fund the same need year after year. Grantors will fund new programs if well designed and the pilot program demonstrates positive outcomes

17. Annual Campaigns/Donations Establish an Annual Fund instead of Membership Membership dues typically sets the bar to low Membership may imply a time commitment Yearly Donations set a habit with the donors that can last a life time Donors will contribute to both an annual campaign and the Buddy Walk An Annual campaign does not need to be in December

18. Annual Campaigns/Donations Create a case of support Detail why you need the funds Illustrate your service in relation to a suggested donation Example $100.00 will purchase 3 new parent welcome baskets Demonstrate how the donor’s funds will impact a person with Down syndrome Use a personal story or ask a family to write a letter to donors describing how the organization met their needs. Document that your organization is reliable, responsible and good stewards of donated funds

19. Annual Campaigns/Donations Organize Your Campaign Recruit/appoint Chair/Co Chair Set a Goal and a start and ending date for the campaign Recruit committee members including all board members Train Committee on techniques for asking for donations Analyze your list of members/friends and project donors that are likely to donate and estimate an average donation Set a Budget include printing ,mailing cost and event expenses

20. Annual Campaigns/Donations A Personal Call Makes a Difference Mailing a brochure is not an annual campaign Typical return on just mailing is 1-5% Select from your data base Supporters that warrant a personal call or visit DO NOT MAIL Check with your committee to see who may have a connection with donors that will receive a call/visit Use the power of e-mail but selectively The personal touch raised over $10,000 with 105 donors 1/3 of our goal

21. Annual Campaign/Donations The Dreaded Ask: The Donor is Waiting for the Opportunity To Give! Learn more about the “friend” and why he is a supporter of your cause Understand his giving history both dollars and talent Call or e-mail for a short appointment Bring on the appointment a recent newsletter or materials that illustrate the growth of the group Share with the donor either your personal story or another member that benefited from their support. Thank him/her for his prior contributions

22. Annual Campaigns/Donations Share with the donor the objectives of the campaign and the goal Ask for his advise or comments on the plan Invite her to invest in the vision and join the campaign Ask the donor to complete the pledge sheet Thank the donor for his time and invite him to an upcoming event

23. Annual Campaign/Donations Show us the Money Set up convenient ways for people to give Arrange with bank to accept all credit cards Arrange with bank for auto debit on a monthly basis Allow for pledges with quarterly payment schedule especially for larger donations Design your brochure for an easy return envelope

24. Donations Celebrate and Honor List in every newsletter the opportunity to donate to honor any life event or a memorial List the opportunity to donate on the web site Create donation envelopes with lines to honor a loved one Insert a donation envelope in each newsletter Distribute donation envelopes to area Funeral Homes

25. THANK The DONOR Thank the donor in a formal letter that is suitable for tax purposes Thank the donor within 7 days Thank the donor with a phone call for first time gifts or extraordinary gifts ( not necessarily based on size of gift) Designate giving levels and list donors in those levels Thank the donor next time you see them Thank the donor in your newsletter Ask your members to thank the Donor Consider an event to thank donors and volunteers THANK THANK THANK the DONOR!

26. Fundraisers By Friends Developing Relationships with Community Organizations Identify service organizations that raise dollars for charities Join and attend your local chamber of commerce and business association Identify labor unions or employee associations that raise dollars for charities Inquire with members whose employers sponsor Charity days Identify restaurants that fundraise for charities

27. Fundraising Events 3 Essential Elemental Questions What will it cost to produce? What is the minimum dollars it will raise? What is the cost of human resources?

28. Fundraising Events Answers or More Questions The ideal cost range to produce 0- 30% Is the minimum dollars raised less than the projection cost??? If Yes STOP! Will staff or volunteer comprise core services to prepare and staff event???

29. Fundraising Events Will this event showcase your mission? Will this event afford opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to participate? Will this event introduce new “Friends” to your organization? Will this event be unique and fun? Will you be competing with established events?

30. Fundraising Events Get Organized Recruit chair/co chair Set Fundraising Goal and Budget Book Venue Solicit businesses for Sponsorship Solicit volunteers Solicit vendors for favorable discounts Solicit guests /participants Advertise Set up Clean up

31. Questions?? Contact Diana Merzweiler [email_address] 502-495-5088