Building a Sustainable Funding Base for your Organization

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Building a Sustainable Funding Base for your
Organization
Jan 26, 2007 Sponsored by the Chesapeake Bay
Funders Network The Chesapeake Bay
Trust Presented by Pat Munoz River Network
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Typical funding profile for staffed
environmental groups
Events 3
Individual Donors 13
Grants 48 Foundation, Government, Corporate
Earned Income 13
Membership 17
Source Mott Foundation survey of 758 groups in
the Great Lakes and Southeast States
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More predictable
Membership renewals
Major Donor Gifts
Special appeals
PREDICTABILITY OF FUNDING
Corporate grants
Government/Foundation project grants
Less predictable
Restricted
Unrestricted
FLEXIBILITY
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Where do private charitable donations come from?
2005 Contributions 260 Billion By Source of
Contributions
Corporations 5
Foundations 11
Bequests 7
Individuals 77
Source Giving USA FoundationTM AAFRC Trust For
Philanthropy/Giving USA 2006
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Where do private charitable donations go?
2005 260 Billion
Environment/animals 8.8 Billion 3.4
Public-society benefit 5.4
International Affairs 2.5
Arts, culture, and humanities 5.2
Foundations 8
Unallocated 6.2
Religion 35
Human Services 9.7
Source Giving USA FoundationTM AAFRC Trust For
Philanthropy/Giving USA 2005
Health 8.7
Education 14.8
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How to Ask Ladder of Effectiveness
Face-to-face Request (50)
Personal Phone Call (25)
Personal Letter (15)
Phone-a-thon (10)
Special In-house Mail Appeal (6-10)
Direct Mail Prospecting (1-3)
Online (?)
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Why does ANYONE give?
Because you have asked them effectively!
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Top Sustainable Strategies

• Member Recruiting Renewals
• Special Appeals
• Major Donor Program
• Special Events
• Corporate Grants Sponsorships

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Member Recruiting
10
Member Renewals
11
Special Appeals
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Events
13
Major Donor Program (including board)
14
Corporate Grants and Sponsorships
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Criteria for Selecting Strategies

• Fit with Mission
• Cost effectiveness
• Availability of skills/resources
• Past experience
• Does it build capacity?
• Timing
• Is it repeatable?
• Other benefits

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More predictable
Membership renewals
Major Donor Gifts
Special appeals
PREDICTABILITY OF FUNDING
Corporate grants
Government/Foundation project grants
Less predictable
Restricted
Unrestricted
FLEXIBILITY
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Diversify Your Funding Base!
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Do you have...
a fundraising plan?
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For Each Strategy

• Goals
• Activities
• Responsible Person(s)
• When?
• How much?

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Annual FUNDRAISING PLAN

• New Member Recruiting

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Do you have...
An operating reserve?