FUNDRAISING

1. FUNDRAISING Rose Conway-Walsh Belmullet, Co Mayo 087 2846830 Rose Conway-Walsh

2. What is a Fundraising Strategy • It is a management tool that enables your organisation to seek and obtain funding in a planned and sustained way in order to meet it’s objectives. • It can cover 1 year/3years or more depending on the type of organisation. • Must be flexible to tke advantage of new opportunities. Rose Conway-Walsh

3. How Much Do We Need? • What is the cost of implementing our plan for the next 12 months? • What are our longer-term plans? How much will they cost? Rose Conway-Walsh

4. Writing Up Your Fundraising Strategy Rose Conway-Walsh

5. Developing the Fundrsising Strategy Rose Conway-Walsh

6. Easier to Get Funding for one event that long-term programme Break your programme into smaller bits and seek funding for each part – may be from different sources More NGOs are seeking more money from traditional funding sources Develop a more diversified range of donors – different amounts & different times What is your USP?? Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Rose Conway-Walsh

7. Many Donors are providing much less money than needed or do not have enough to go around. A diversified fundraising programme. Closer the donor, smaller the amount Conditions and terms imposed on funds provided that may restrict it’s use Understand the need for these conditions – negotiate, satisfy their needs without sacrificing your own More Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Rose Conway-Walsh

8. Difficult to find a donor who is willing to finance a specific programme or project Look at the local corporate sector and local opportunities It takes so much time, effort and money itself to find and secure funding. Everyone in the organisation – staff management committee, members etc should be involved in writing proposals, finding and networking with donors, Appeals Committees More Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Rose Conway-Walsh

9. In-Kind Contributions • Technical Knowledge and information is very expensive and takes up much of a funding request. • Try to seek in-kind contributions from experts especially form a company. • This enables them to be community-friendly. • Advice, work-time, equipment etc. Rose Conway-Walsh

10. GRANTS Rose Conway-Walsh

11. GRANTS Rose Conway-Walsh

12. Applying For a Grant • Select appropriate sources as application forms are very time consuming. • Weigh up the possible benefits against the time and resources need to fill out the form. • Ensure you are eligible and fit the criteria. • Be aware of closing dates and drawdown dates. • Attach material about past achievements. Rose Conway-Walsh

13. Applying For a Grant • Make sure you follow the guidelines, instructions and guides on funding procedures. • Make sure you have fully studied and understood the priorities of the funders – they should also be your priorities! • Use key words to convince the funders of its viability and impact. Rose Conway-Walsh

14. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Cover Letter – No more than 1 page, Who you are and your background briefly, purpose of funding and amount you request. Include contact person, phone number, e-mail and address. • Proposal – 1 page summary, aims and objectives, proposal purpose, project purpose, how project will be implemented, state the results you expect from your project. Include total budget amount, other funds that are committed and the amount of your request. Remember 90% of funding decisions will be made before the reader has finishes reading this page – Be concise compelling and clear Rose Conway-Walsh

15. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Introduction to the Organisation – History, General Purpose, goals and objectives as they relate to this project, Accomplishments, Service Areas and Population Served. • Statement of Problem or Need, Use a funnel approach, Start with the general problem, move to the conditions which make this a problem, outline current resources and identify gaps, identify how your proposal will fill these gaps. Rose Conway-Walsh

16. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Project Goals and Objectives What specific goals are you trying to achieve? What measurable milestones will you reach in meeting those goals? How will you and the funder know that you are making progress towards your goals? Rose Conway-Walsh

17. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Methods and Schedule What actions will you take to achieve your goals? • What are the critical success factors? • Who will do what – include job descriptions from staff and qualifications and experience of volunteers. • When will these actions take place? Rose Conway-Walsh

18. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Evaluation Criteria and Process How will you know whether you are achieving your goals? What will you measure to evaluate your progress? What records and information will you keep to allow you to measure your progress? Rose Conway-Walsh

19. What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal • Budget • More detail is better than less • Don’t round out if possible. Use quotes and estimates whenever you can get them – even if they are informal quotes. • Don’t pad your budget. Competent reviewers will know the cost of goods and services. • Do include all sources of support – volunteer time, donated space and borrowed equipment. Don’t shortchange the contribution your community is making to your project. Rose Conway-Walsh

20. Fundraising Activities Rose Conway-Walsh

21. Event Management Process • Concept & Feasibility • Planning & Preparation • Budgeting & Finance • Tasks, Responsibilities & Resources • Marketing Plan • Progress, Delivery & Reporting Rose Conway-Walsh

22. Reasons For Holding Events • To informa and educate the community about the cause • To raise funds • To obtain media coverage for an activity • To celebrate a community’s strength and cohesiveness Rose Conway-Walsh

23. Establish who the Event is For • The local community/Wider Community • Members/potential Members • Sponsors • Media Rose Conway-Walsh

24. Develop the Event ConceptKey Questions to ask…. • What is the event for? • What form will it take? • When and where will it be held? • How will the event benefit the participants? • What could be the barriers • What physical resources are available or accessible to support the event – facilities, equipment etc. Rose Conway-Walsh

25. More Key Questions • What are the costs (time, Personnel, Money)? • Do we have have sufficient volunteers? • How can any potential barriers be overcome? • Is there sufficient time for planning? • **Check the timing of your event does not clash with any other key events Rose Conway-Walsh

26. Planning & Preparation • Establish a Formal ’Event Committee’ with a variety of skills. • One person should lead the project as the event co-ordinator. • Outline the responsibilities of each member – tasks deadlines etc. Rose Conway-Walsh

27. Develop Budget & Monitor Finances - Expenditure • List all the essential costs for the event – include administration, venue, print, postage, catering, entertainment, photography, flowers, advertising, insurance, complimentary tickets – add 15% contingency figure. • When will these expenses have to be paid out Rose Conway-Walsh

28. Identify Potential Income • Sponsorship • Ticket Sales • Advertising • Donations • Raffle • Photography Rose Conway-Walsh

29. Developing a Budget • Draw up a Cash Flow budget which estimates when money is to be received and when it is to be paid out. • Decision to proceed should be based on evaluating the cash flow information • Break even ticket price is calculated by total expenditure divided by no. of ticket sales. Rose Conway-Walsh

30. Ticket Selling • As a safety measure, nominate a cut-off date, when a final decision is made to proceed with the event or not. • If income is not going to be sufficient to cover expenses cancel the event! Rose Conway-Walsh

31. TASK DIVISION • Main Tasks for the Event must be identified and individuals in the event committee appointed against each task. • Tasks include catering, entertainment, facilities and equipment, finance, marketing, printing, security, sponsorship, ticket selling, volunteers, legal requirements Rose Conway-Walsh

32. PROJECT PLANNER • Prepare a chart which outlines your project timelines and the people responsible for tasks. This will help you keep track of your progress • Monitor progress against milestones. • Have regular meetings to keep members feeling connnected Rose Conway-Walsh

33. Event Schedule • Write up a scrip sheet for the day and distribute to all involved. Information should include person, task, timing, those involved, location and contact information. • All activities, no matter how small should be included in the script, ie. Greetings at the door, test microphone, presentations, clearing up etc. Rose Conway-Walsh

34. Post Event • Obtain feedback and record • Thank all those involved • Hold a debriefing session • Send out event reports to all sponsors and key organisations • Ensure records are kept in a central place for running the even in the future Rose Conway-Walsh

35. Not appointing a co-ordinator Not maintaining accurate written records Not monitoring progress closely Allowing insufficient planning time Failing to communicate and co-ordinate fully with committee members Insufficient helpers Some Trouble Spots Rose Conway-Walsh

36. Insufficient food and drinks No First Aid Poor press coverage No contingency plans for bad weather Programme running over time Failure to inform police or local authorities Lack of colour or glamour Insufficient wast management Unclear direction signs More trouble spots Rose Conway-Walsh

37. Additional Fundraising Elements • Tree of Life/Promises • Auction/Silent Auction • Laser clay pigeon shoot • Bucking Bronco • Fun Casino • Corporate Entertainment Packages • Donations Rose Conway-Walsh