Fundraising is critical for nonprofits to raise money to fund programs and missions. Effective fundraising requires developing a comprehensive plan with goals and timelines that identifies various funding sources like events, grants, donations and online campaigns. It is important to evaluate fundraising efforts to determine successes and areas for improvement. Organizations should work to build fundraising expertise through training and resources to effectively implement strategies to support their work.

1. Partner Service & Sales TrainingFundraising

2. What is Fundraising?What is fundraising?Importance of fundraisingDeveloping your fundraising planTypes of Funding Sources How CharityNet USA Assists with Fundraising Efforts

3. What is Fundraising?Fundraising is just what it appears to be - the raising of funds or money. For a nonprofit, fund raising is often the only way to get the money to pay for the facilities and programs that the group wishes to organize. Fundraising can take many forms- from sales, to direct requests for money, to organizing events or lotteries for which people will pay.

4. Importance of FundraisingWhat is fundraisingImportance of fundraisingDeveloping your fundraising planTypes of Funding SourcesHow CharityNet USA Assists with Fundraising Efforts

5. Why is Fundraising Important?Fundraising is often the only way that non-profits have of gaining the money needed to rent the space and organize the programs needed to fulfill the group’s mission.

6. Why is Fundraising Important?Fundraising can help raise awareness through newspapers or newsletters. It can help a group establish an Internet site, help to reach the group’s target audience. Even small nonprofit groups need some money in order to really do good. This is where fundraising comes in.

7. Developing your Fundraising planWhat is fundraisingImportance of fundraisingDeveloping your fundraising planTypes of Funding SourcesHow CharityNet USA Assists with Fundraising Efforts

8. Fundraising Plans“You got to be careful if you don't know where you're going, because you might not get there.”-Yogi Berra

9. Getting StartedOrganizations should have goals for the amount of money they need to raise and what the money will be used for. Will it be used for overhead expenses? To fund an ongoing or new program?To build a new facility? To develop an emergency fund for a future rainy day? To close a deficit?

10. Getting StartedIf there is more than one goal, a fundraising plan should be developed for each one. Goals should be developed with the board of directors and have their approval. Having the board's involvement will also set the stage for their participation in the fundraising itself. Write down your fundraising plan.Develop a written plan that states how much you need to raise, from what sources, and how you will do it. Don't worry, the plan can be revised as you proceed. Not all of your ideas will work out, or you may find new sources along the way.

11. Getting StartedEstimate how much your fundraising program will cost.Most experts recommend that fundraising and overall administrative costs not exceed 25% of your overall operating budget. In other words, three-quarters of your expenses should be spent on doing what you were founded to do. Develop a timeline for your fundraising plan Fill in a year's calendar with specific activities, and identify who will be the lead for each of those projects. Go further by developing timelines for each fundraising activity, such as the direct mail campaign, the online auction, or the planned giving seminar.

12. Getting StartedIdentify funding sources Will you fundraise by soliciting foundation grants, government grants, special events, etc.Evaluate your fundraising plan during the yearPlan to evaluate what you are doing every few months. What accounted for the biggest successes? What were the biggest challenges? What fundraising methods should you change, drop, or add?

13. Types of Funding SourcesWhat is fundraisingImportance of fundraisingDeveloping your fundraising planTypes of Funding Sources How CharityNet USA Assists with Fundraising Efforts

14. Types of Funding SourcesBoard of DirectorsSpecial EventsProduct Sales Foundation GrantsPersonal SolicitationInternet

15. Board of DirectorsIn addition to other ways that board members may participate in fundraising, they should individually commit to raising and giving a certain amount of money, or commit to working by themselves on specific strategies with no financial goal attached.

16. Special EventsTypes of special eventsCommunity-wide eventsExp. Annual ball, community cook-out, walk-a-thonSporting EventsExp. Annual Golf Tournament, Bowl-a-thon, 5K MarathonTheatre and Art Gallery OpeningsAuctionsVIP EventsAward and tribute dinners or galas

17. Special EventsTips on Making Money from an EventKeep control of the budgetGet whatever you can donatedPartner with another groupAlways evaluate afterwardsKeep good records

18. Product SalesWhat is it?Your organization sells a product such as candy, magazines, or Christmas gift wrap, and keeps a portion of the proceeds.

19. Product SalesTips for a successful product sale campaign:Be sure that the product is compatible with your organization's mission. Look around your community. Is your area saturated with product sales by nonprofits? Choose your product well. Make sure that it is of highest quality, and is something that people really like and use. What is the commission on products you are considering? Commissions vary from 25% to 75%. Commissions of 50% or more are preferable, especially if you use a lot of volunteers and expend a lot of energy on the sale

20. Foundation GrantsInitial Steps of Grant Seeking:Know your organizationWhat are your mission, vision, goals, and programs?Know the Case for SupportWhy should a foundation fund your organization? Why are the additional funds needed?Research FoundationsDifferentiate your OrganizationBuild relationships with your foundations

21. Foundation GrantsTypes of FoundationsFamily/Private FoundationsCorporate FoundationsCommunity FoundationsOperating Foundations

22. Foundation GrantsQuestions to ask before submitting a grant proposal:Do we have a previous relationship with the foundation? Any friends or staff with relationships?Sometimes grant funding is about who you know. Does the foundation have any interest in funding a program like ours?

23. Foundation GrantsTrends in Foundation SupportMore accountability and evaluationPromote/Require CollaborationProfessionalism of ProcessesGreater Emphasis on DiversityBoard GivingCapacity Building

24. Personal SolicitationIn 2006, individual charitable giving equaled $222.89 billion or 75.6% of all charitable giving.

25. Personal Solicitation

26. Personal SolicitationWhere to start:Communicate your mission, vision, and goalsGive correct information about your accomplishments, impact, and needSpend time with potential donorsEngage. Have them visit your facilityHandle gifts wellThank them oftenBuild TrustListenInvite donors to special eventsPlan

27. Personal SolicitationKey Reasons Why Individuals GiveAgree with your mission and visionLeadership of your organizationRelationshipsYour organization’s integrityBecause they were asked!

28. Personal SolicitationSuggestions for a successful ask:Pick the right prospectSolicit in personConvince yourself first If you don’t believe in your organization, why would someone else?Know your causeKnow your jobKnow your prospectAsk for a specific amount

29. InternetThere are some common pitfalls as well, including:It's hard to be noticed among all the others seeking attention on the Internet. There is the possibility of failure due to unfamiliar technical breakdowns or through misunderstanding how to use the mechanism effectively. There are significant legal complexities at this time associated with some aspects of online fundraising.

30. InternetWays to Increase your World Wide Web Presence:Your web address is on ALL marketing material. Potential donors and supporters can find a link to your Web site on a page created by some related organization, or one that otherwise supports your activities. Potential donors and supporters receive an intriguing email message from you that describes your mission and asks them to visit your site. Send out a regular newsletter to keep constituents engaged.

31. InternetWays to Increase your World Wide Web Presence:They read about your organization in some online or off-line newsletter or other informational article created by a third-party, and it includes your organization's Web site address. They are using an Internet search engine to find Web sites addressing some topic or issue, and your page has the right keywords to match their search. They see a banner advertisement you have placed on another organization's Web page. If your organization doesn't use at least one and preferably several of these methods to attract visitors to your Web site, you will get few or no donations there. At the very least, every one of your marketing and solicitation texts should include a reference to your Web site's address (i.e. URL).

32. Assisting with Fundraising EffortsWhat is fundraisingImportance of fundraisingDeveloping your fundraising planTypes of Funding Sources How CharityNet USA Assists with Fundraising Efforts

33. How CharityNet Can HelpCharityNet provides numerous articles to provide charities with the resources to market their organization, train & motivate their team, raise funds and much more. Examples:Nonprofits - Focus on Your Vision and Make it a Big OneWhy You Must Be a Good Steward of Nonprofit ResourcesNonprofit Help - Executive Director As Board Member?6 Power Steps to Managing Volunteers That Every Volunteer Coordinator Should KnowCharity Walks - 7 Easy Ways to Thank Your VolunteersPercentage Based Fundraising

34. How CharityNet Can HelpWe provide a fundraising menu including everything from simple events that are easy to execute, to complex, but high-revenue events:All of the events include a guide of howto plan, implementand execute each event.Additionally, the fundraising kits include ticket and flyer designs, sign-up sheet layouts and other necessary collateral to supplement an event.

35. How CharityNet Can HelpRewardsNet Membership Website & Fundraising Program:The membership website, which features a variety of money saving discounts, reward programs, wellness tools, free software downloads and informational links. Membership dues are only $75 per year and in addition to the web site features and benefits, the donor also receives a 2 night stay at selected hotels across the USA. Raising funds with RewardsNet is easy and everyone wins. The "donor" get's the website benefits plus, a travel certificate of greater value in exchange for his contribution.

36. How CharityNet Can HelpFor the best results in raising funds, the nonprofit organization should connect with a fundraising professional in their area.So, while we may not offer specific fundraising consulting, the more nonprofits you assist with fundraising, the more they will spend with you on fundamental services.Help Them Raise $Money$ = You Make $Money$

37. SummaryFundraising is critical to organizational successFundraising should be planned and goal-focusedFundraising team needs to be trained, challenged, motivated and rewarded for outstanding performanceFundraising needs to start small to gain experience and build revenueFundraising is an ongoing process to be supplemented by grants and service fees