Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits : Real-World Strategies That Work

by Bray, Ilona

• ISBN13: 9781413312539
• ISBN10: 1413312535
• Edition: 3rd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2010-08-24
• Publisher: NOLO

Summary

Raise money for your nonprofit with unique advice and tactics

Getting tax-exempt status for your nonprofit organization is just the first step toward succeeding in your mission -- ultimately, your nonprofit's effectiveness depends entirely on your ability to raise money. Fortunately, Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits will show you how. Featuring advice and stories from over 40 experienced fundraisers, foundation staffers, journalists, and more, the 3rd edition of Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits offers strategies for raising donations from individuals, companies, and institutions, and covers the tools and staff you'll need to get the job done. Find out how to:

-work with individual donors

-analyze the donor base

-plan special events

-solicit grants from foundations and corporations

-get media coverage

-use the Web to further fundraising goals

-start a side business to raise funds

Best of all, Effective Fundraising for Nonprofits contains expert advice written in plain English, cutting out the jargon and "consultant speak" that's all too common in many nonprofit books.

The 3rd edition is updated to include a new focus on fundraising in the down economy and features input from development professionals across the U.S. And, you can read up on latest studies on who gives the most and why and the latest tips for "greening" your nonprofit's special events. Plus, you'll get the latest tax figures, guidelines for the new IRS Form 990, and updated resource recommendations and contact information.

Author Biography

Ilona Bray has worked and volunteered with various nonprofit agencies in nearly every capacity, including development director, staff attorney, department manager and advisory council member. Bray is the author and co-author of several Nolo books, including Becoming a U.S. Citizen and Nolo's Essential Guide to Buying Your First Home.

Table of Contents

Your Fundraising Companion	p. 1
Fundraising Tools	p. 5
Fundraising People	p. 7
Fundraising Skills	p. 33
Fundraising Equipment and Technology	p. 43
Developing Your Fundraising Plan	p. 55
Getting Started: Set Your Fundraising Goal	p. 57
Evaluate Your Nonprofit's Fundraising Assets	p. 69
Develop Your Fundraising Strategy	p. 75
Create the Final Plan	p. 83
Attracting Individual Supporters	p. 85
Make Your Organization Look Support Worthy	p. 87
Understand What Motivates Your Supporters	p. 96
Bring in New Supporters	p. 107
How to Keep the Givers Giving	p. 143
Thank Your Supporters (and Help Them Satisfy the IRS)	p. 145
Communicate Your Essential Message	p. 148
Invite Supporters to Get More Involved	p. 161
Analyze Your Donor Base	p. 162
When to Call Your Supporters	p. 166
Midscale and Major Donors	p. 169
Background Research	p. 171
Get to Know Your Existing Supporters	p. 177
Annual Renewals of Support	p. 183
Lectures, Small Events, and Parties for Major Supporters	p. 185
One-on-One Meetings	p. 189
Setting Up a Focused Major Gifts Campaign	p. 207
Funds From the Great Beyond: Bequests and Legacy Gifts	p. 213
How to Attract Legacy Gifts	p. 216
Handling Simple Inheritance Gifts	p. 218
First Steps Toward Attracting Inheritance Gifts	p. 226
Preview of Other Legacy Giving Arrangements	p. 236
Special Events	p. 241
Survey of Special Events	p. 245
Choose the Right Event for Your Organization	p. 265
Keep It Green: Attend to Environmental Issues	p. 268
Develop a Realistic Budget	p. 271
Plan and Pace Event Activities	p. 276
Deal With Risks and Liability Issues	p. 284
Last-Minute Tasks and Tips	p. 287
After the Event	p. 289
Raising Money Through Business or Sales Activities	p. 293
Tax Rules for Business Activities	p. 296
Learn From Other Nonprofits' Experience	p. 303
Develop Your Own Great-And Low-Risk-Business Idea	p. 313
Measure Your Ideas Against Reality	p. 320
Final Planning and Test Runs	p. 325
Licensing, Sponsorships, and Other Relationships With Existing Businesses	p. 333
The Next Steps	p. 337
Seeking Grants From Foundations, Corporations, and Government	p. 339
Understand the Funders	p. 340
Research Grant Prospects	p. 347
The Proposal Process, From Query Letter Onward	p. 363
Follow Up With the Funder	p. 385
Grant Renewals	p. 387
Creating Printed Communications Materials	p. 389
Brochures	p. 391
Newsletters	p. 392
Annual Reports	p. 396
Designing Your Website to Draw in Donors	p. 405
Basic Contact Information	p. 408
Your Organization's Personality	p. 409
Freshness	p. 412
Content	p. 414
Donation Information and Opportunities	p. 417
Information on Where the Money Goes	p. 422
Information About Funders and Donors	p. 422
Tracking Users	p. 423
Outreach by Traditional and Social Media	p. 425
Placing Your Organization's Stories With Traditional Media	p. 426
What Makes a Good Story	p. 428
Who to Approach With Your Story	p. 433
Pitching and Placing Stories	p. 443
Protecting Yourself in Media Interactions	p. 456
Making Your Own News: Social Media	p. 461
Appendix
Worksheets	p. 471
Sample Cost Analysis
Fundraising Assets
Fundraising Strategy Chart
Mailing Evaluation
Meeting Checklist
Projected Special Event Expenses
Projected Special Event Income
Grant Priorities Summary Chart
Grant Prospects Research Overview
Check Your Website's Fundraising Effectiveness
Index	p. 493
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