This document provides an overview of fundraising from corporations and foundations for cooperative extension programs. It discusses the distinctions and similarities between corporations, corporate foundations, and family foundations. It provides tips for choosing potential partners, writing letters of inquiry, and stewardship after receiving funds. Resources for researching corporations and foundations are also listed.

1. Fundraising and Development for Cooperative Extension An Overview of Corporate & Foundation Development Marilyn Rhodes Director of Development Corporate and Foundation Relations University of Wisconsin Foundation March 10, 2011 2011 County Leadership Conference Stevens Point, WI

2. OVERVIEW Distinctions and similarities; Corp. vs Found. Why give How to choose a corporation or foundation Resources Letters of Inquiry Stewardship

3. Distinctions and Similarities Corporations – Business Imperative Corporate Foundations – Business Imperative and Social Causes Family Foundations – Social Cause

4. Why Do Corporations and Corp. Foundations Give Recruitment Marketing/Publicity Community Relations Commercial or Applied Research Geographic Restrictions Social Cause/Social Responsibility

5. Reasons Why Family Foundations Give Social causes such as poverty, child health, education, environment Geographic restrictions – support local community

6. How to Choose a Corp/Fnd Partner Community presence Giving history Amount awarded Average grant Personal connections Values and social responsibility Up-to-date web sites Test the waters : Talk to a Program Officer!

7. Writing Tips for Letters Inquiry Who, what, when, how and why? Concise and compelling opener Link to funding their priorities Identify problem Document need Fix problem Evaluation and outcomes Identify cost

8. Writing Tips (cont’d) Establish project as unique Write to evaluator (s) Address competency of program administrators or faculty Identify partners Show sustainability after grant period

9. Stewardship “ Meaningful information about their gifts at work is the key to donors’ repeat and increased giving. Communication is the process by which information is delivered. Fundraising under-performance, therefore, is actually a failure to communicate.” ~ Penelope Burke, Donor Centered Fundraising Regular Updates Data driven reports Human interest stories Advice and counsel Congratulations and thank you’s

10. Resources Grants Information Collection (UW Libraries) http://grants.library.wisc.edu/ - FREE The Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/ Foundation Directory Online - FREE ttp://fconline.foundationcenter.org/ Foundations in Wisconsin http://www.wifoundations.org/ Guidestar http://www2.guidestar.org/ Internal Revenue Service, Form 990-N (e-Postcard) Search http://www.irs.gov/app/ePostcard/ Philanthropy News Digest RFP Alert [email_address] GOOGLE ALERTS - FREE Green Companies: Workingmothers.com, Money.cnn, Corpwatch.com CFRNET Discussion List [email_address] - FREE

11. Marilyn Rhodes Director of Development Corporate and Foundation Relations University of Wisconsin Foundation (608) 265-6119 [email_address]