Annual Fundraising Plan: Difference between revisions

From Open Source Ecology
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Line 65: Line 65:


===Foundation Directory Online===
===Foundation Directory Online===
The [http://fconline.foundationcenter.org/ Foundation Directory Online] is an online database providing information about foundations and grant opportunities as well as about non-profit organizations and who their major funding sources are. The database is managed by [http://www.foundationcenter.org/ the Foundation Center], and they have a library with a computer lab in San Francisco, where members of the public can use the ''Professional'' version of their database for tools. The [https://secure1.foundationcenter.org/fdo/signup/ Foundation Directory Online Professional Version] contains the following information:
*Detailed profiles of 108,000 grant makers
*A searchable database of over 3 million grants
*A searchable database of information on over 4,000 corporations and their giving programs
*A searchable database of over 1 million 990's for nonprofit organizations
Using this database on their on-site library of development resources, I will build a comprehensive list of grant opportunities to strengthen our [Annual Grants Calendar].


===Crowd Sourced Funding Research===
===Crowd Sourced Funding Research===

Revision as of 17:10, 14 January 2013

List of Current Revenue Sources

EDIT

Fundraising Calendar

EDIT

Strategies for 2013

Grants Campaign

Modular Grant Writing System

Grant applications and letter of inquiry templates use a small set of common questions. In response, most grant writers use a 'boilerplate', a versatile outline of answers to these common questions, as a starting point. We are essentially adopting this practice, but our Modular Grant Writing System allows for collaborative review and workshopping of the language through the use of Google Docs.

Development Advisors

We will develop a network of advisors who work in the field of nonprofit development and who support our mission to act as advisors guiding our grants campaign.

Build Long-Term Relationships With Current Foundation Partners

A nonprofit organization sets themselves apart when they are able to demonstrate what tangible benefits a foundation's investment made in the world. This is an tactic we can use to build long-term relationships with foundations and other supporters, so that we can move into multi-year pledges of support and long-term financial planning.

Government Grants

Government funding happens in stages, where small pilots that can prove their outcomes warrant larger investments in the future. This pool of funding grants us access to new networks of advisors and technical assistance. We will strive to receive our first government grant this year.

Requirements for Success

Financial Operations

Budget

Most funders want to see a non profit organization's budget.

Accounting System

Most funders want to see audited financial statements.

Financial Statements

Most funders require financial statements to be submitted with grant applications.

Board of Directors

A nonprofit organization's board of directors provides credibility, access to funding, and access to personal networks of money and knowledge aside from fulfilling their roles in managing operations and lending expertise to the organization. It's important that we build a track record of following best practices while we build a robust board and then put it to work for us as things evolve.

Evaluations Data

As we start delivering programs to the public, whether through documentation/training materials, on-site trainings, or through pilots, it's crucial that we document our successes and evaluate our programs to not only strengthen them but to also weave a compelling story for our founders to hear and to rally their further support.

Team Cohesion

Everyone needs to understand how their parts interrelate, the goals of each department, and how working together promotes one another's successes. For example, the Development Team needs people working on pilot projects to understand the importance of providing evaluations data, or the accounting team needs to understand how grants are encumbered, etc.

Tactics

Comprehensively Research Grants Prospects

Foundation Directory Online

The Foundation Directory Online is an online database providing information about foundations and grant opportunities as well as about non-profit organizations and who their major funding sources are. The database is managed by the Foundation Center, and they have a library with a computer lab in San Francisco, where members of the public can use the Professional version of their database for tools. The Foundation Directory Online Professional Version contains the following information:

  • Detailed profiles of 108,000 grant makers
  • A searchable database of over 3 million grants
  • A searchable database of information on over 4,000 corporations and their giving programs
  • A searchable database of over 1 million 990's for nonprofit organizations

Using this database on their on-site library of development resources, I will build a comprehensive list of grant opportunities to strengthen our [Annual Grants Calendar].

Crowd Sourced Funding Research

Personal Networks

Recruit Advisors and Build Relationships

Identify Organizations With Similar Missions and Organizational Structures

Identify Key Questions and Map the Development Process

Meet With Advisors and Catalog Their Knowledge

Tell a Compelling Story

Build On Emily Aiken's Positioning Work

Solicit Public Review of Our Grant Proposals