Something to think about
Before asking for donations you should have a solid mission statement. Donors and grantors expect your mission to be carried out throughout your actions and plans, in all communications: annual reports, elevator pitches, your website, the would of social media. Proof is in the pudding, as it were. Strengthen your case for giving - - money doesn't just materialize. It has to be earned.
Make sure the statement answers these key questions:
Furndraising Opportunities
Discount cards - work with local businesses to give a discount of 5-10% to support the center You can use the discount to reward memberships (usual choice) or you can sell the card to raise money!
Auctions - As discussed, auctions. An art auction around the holidays is a great time - open it up to businesses to bid as well.
You can also auction off skills (an accountant might donate doing taxes), or a local celebrity auction. Get the community involved! It is amazing what people will donate and others will buy to support a great cause. Think big!
Start raising money or connecting with constituents on geo-location social networks like Foursquare or Gowalla:
People give because they want to make a difference. However, people also give to because they WANT to show they are a MEMBER of something of social importance. Keep that in mind and create tiers of membership. Associate membership on up. Giive something in exchange for membership: You can have mugs, T-shirts, calendars, etc, for those who contribute X amount. Companies, such as Zazzle.com, create on demand so there is no need to hold an inventory of items.
Sponsorships
To begin with, why do businesses sponsor?
A business will want to know:
Your mission
What you should know about the business:
Don't forget
Press is a great way to get on the radar of groups and individuals who give. If you are showing that you are helping, contributing, educating a group/community - the gift has more perceived VALUE. Also, many foundations give money of their CHOOSING, no solicitation - so you have to seek press beyond the borders of LC. Create programs that draw the press and social media's attention. Still send out press releases!
Grants, etc
As you already know, I am sure, that it is easier to go after money for projects, than it is to support a whole center Grants are gifts awarded for specific uses. Look for grants that match your mission and goals. Most granting organizations require a detailed plan. Write a plan with carefully outlined financial and other goals. Granting organizations are like investors and they want details on how their money will be used.
Before asking for donations you should have a solid mission statement. Donors and grantors expect your mission to be carried out throughout your actions and plans, in all communications: annual reports, elevator pitches, your website, the would of social media. Proof is in the pudding, as it were. Strengthen your case for giving - - money doesn't just materialize. It has to be earned.
Make sure the statement answers these key questions:
- Why do you exist? (passion)
- What does your organization do? (what you are best at)
- What difference does it make? (the impact your nonprofit is making)
Why is your non-profit worth investing in? What does it bring to the community, to the county, to the state, to a cause, social situation, etc? What have you done, and what do you plan to do, on behalf of those groups? How will this money be put to good use?
Think about it. You expect value when you buy anything. A donation needs to have even more of a perceived value attached as there is no exchange of goods. This is true whether the gift is $5 or $500,000. Furndraising Opportunities
Discount cards - work with local businesses to give a discount of 5-10% to support the center You can use the discount to reward memberships (usual choice) or you can sell the card to raise money!
Auctions - As discussed, auctions. An art auction around the holidays is a great time - open it up to businesses to bid as well.
You can also auction off skills (an accountant might donate doing taxes), or a local celebrity auction. Get the community involved! It is amazing what people will donate and others will buy to support a great cause. Think big!
Start raising money or connecting with constituents on geo-location social networks like Foursquare or Gowalla:
Have a sponsor donate $1 every time someone checks into their venue and shows it to the manager/cashier/etc.Other ideas: raffles, golf tournament, buy a brick (for a side walk or for the new sign), merchandising (online as well!!!!)
If you’re coordinating an event, give attendees an opportunity to earn a swarm badge for being there with more than 50 people, or a super swarm badge for being there with more than 250 people.
Add a contest, such as a random lottery drawing of everyone who checks-in ,
People give because they want to make a difference. However, people also give to because they WANT to show they are a MEMBER of something of social importance. Keep that in mind and create tiers of membership. Associate membership on up. Giive something in exchange for membership: You can have mugs, T-shirts, calendars, etc, for those who contribute X amount. Companies, such as Zazzle.com, create on demand so there is no need to hold an inventory of items.
Sponsorships
To begin with, why do businesses sponsor?
Marketing/advertising opportunities
Access to target audience/market
Association with excellence
Name awareness
Image enhancement
Entertaining
Developing community links
PR- internal and external
Access to target audience/market
Association with excellence
Name awareness
Image enhancement
Entertaining
Developing community links
PR- internal and external
A business will want to know:
Your mission
Your audience
Project or projects for which you are seeking sponsorship
Project or projects for which you are seeking sponsorship
The business benefits (logo on posters etc, free tickets, display space, hospitality)
The price - remember to include any costs you incur providing the benefits
The price - remember to include any costs you incur providing the benefits
What you should know about the business:
What is the image of the business-contriversal at all?
Who are the business's target customers?
Is the business familiar with sponsorships?
When does their financial year start?
Who are the business's target customers?
Is the business familiar with sponsorships?
When does their financial year start?
What is their level of marketing?
and of course, do you know anyone at the business?
In the end, the question you have to answer is WHY the sponsorship would be right for that business. If you can have the answer ready when the business asks....and of course, do you know anyone at the business?
Don't forget
Press is a great way to get on the radar of groups and individuals who give. If you are showing that you are helping, contributing, educating a group/community - the gift has more perceived VALUE. Also, many foundations give money of their CHOOSING, no solicitation - so you have to seek press beyond the borders of LC. Create programs that draw the press and social media's attention. Still send out press releases!
Grants, etc
As you already know, I am sure, that it is easier to go after money for projects, than it is to support a whole center Grants are gifts awarded for specific uses. Look for grants that match your mission and goals. Most granting organizations require a detailed plan. Write a plan with carefully outlined financial and other goals. Granting organizations are like investors and they want details on how their money will be used.
Every grant requires different paperwork to be completed and a missed step can throw your application out of the running. Grant proposals follow specific formats. Take your time and write your proposal carefully, succinctly and thoroughly. Your proposal is like a sales letter. You are 'selling' the grant organization on why it should invest in you.
Of course, private donors/foundations are the last and most sought-after, but they are also the rarest. The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 rule - the majority of the $$$ comes from major donors does exist- but that is CHANGING. Who donates to non-profits? Everyone, from Matures to Gen Y - in their own way.
Good luck!