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HOW TO SEEK FUNDING

Learn how to seek funding through grant applications and effective fundraising letters. Discover the trends in grant making and the various sources of grant money. Get tips on how to create compelling grant applications and fundraising letters that appeal to the needs of your community. Make a strong case for your youth ministry and watch the doors open!

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HOW TO SEEK FUNDING

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  1. HOW TO SEEKFUNDING

  2. Trends in Grant Making • Where does grant money coming from? • Federal Government • State Government • Private Philanthropy

  3. Philanthropy • A desire to improve the material, social, and spiritual welfare of humanity, especially through charitable activities. • Philanthropic action or organization. • A general love for, or benevolence toward, the whole of humankind.

  4. PRAY ABOUT IT!Ask God to provide the opportunities that will help your youth ministry to grow… THEN WATCH THE DOORS OPEN!

  5. Appeal to the needsof your community.

  6. GrantApplications

  7. Grant Applications Most grant applications require the following information: • Project Description. Describe the project being presented for funding. Be sure to include the following information: • Statement of need indicating the problem to be addressed. • Description of the target population and how they will benefit from the proposed project.

  8. Grant Applications • Description of project goals, measurable objectives, action plans, and statements as to whether this is a new or ongoing activity of the applicant organization. (Note: You may need to add a few goals in your mission to conform with the mission of the granting agency).

  9. Grant Applications • A list and description of other partners in the project and what their roles are, if appropriate (i.e. LSU Extension Service.) • A description of similar, existing projects, if any – with a concise explanation of (1) how this proposal differs, and (2) plans for collaboration. • Timetable. Provide a progression of major points of activity to implement the proposed project. (Dates of camp; schedule of activities)

  10. Grant Applications • Project Impact.Provide a description of plans to evaluate the proposed project which includes: • How success will be defined and measured. This should address the statement, “If this project is successful….” • A description of how evaluation results will be used and/or disseminated. • How the project will be replicated, if applicable. • A description of the involvement of constituents in evaluating the program.

  11. Grant Applications • Continued Funding or Sustainability. If this project implies ongoing activity, describe the long-term strategies for funding this project at the end of the grant period. • Organization Profile. A paragraph or two describing your organization’s (1) mission, (2) services or programs, (3) past accomplishments or distinguishing characteristics

  12. Grant Applications • IRS Determination Letter. A copy of your organization’s current federal determination letter indicating 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. • Budget Worksheet. Granting agency will provide a format to use. • Board of Directors. A list of your current board including officers and their respective affiliations. • Staff Members. A list and brief biographical sketch of individuals involved in the proposed project. Describe the qualifications of key staff and volunteers that will ensure the success of the program

  13. Grant Applications • Financial Records. • Organization’s current year operating budget, including expenses and revenue. • Recent annual financial statement (independently audited, if available) • Letters of Support. (Testimonies from previous campers are great.) • Additional Information. Brochures, newsletters or articles describing project.

  14. Grant Applications • FOLLOW DIRECTIONS TO THE LETTER!!! • NEVER LEAVE ANYTHING BLANK! Say something, even if you have to say “not applicable”. You don’t want them to think you overlooked the questions. • DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS!!! If you assume, you make an . . . you know the rest! • WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL THE CONTACT PERSON DESIGNATED FOR THE GRANT!

  15. Where to look for grants… • Library • Internet • www.foundations.org • www.fdncenter.org ($19.95 per month) (Each foundation has special interests. Find one whose focus is community improvement, youth, and/or religion.)

  16. FundraisingLetters

  17. Business Solicitations • Banks • Doctor • Dentist • Insurance Companies (health, auto, home) • Wal-Mart • Our Employers

  18. Other Sources • Former campers • Aunt Mabel

  19. Effective Fundraising Letters • Make your case quickly and succinctly. Keep it business-like and to the point, preferably under 2 pages. People are busy and don’t have time to read lengthy letters. • If they have supported you in the past, bring that to their attention.

  20. Effective Fundraising Letters • Clearly identify your organization and what your organization does. • Why it is qualified to carry out the work. • What’s your track record. • If you’re new, talk about the relevant professional experience you and other staff bring to the project.

  21. Effective Fundraising Letters • Clearly identify the purpose of your fundraising campaign, whether it be for your operation costs (i.e. camp expenses), or for your organization as a whole. • Be sure to express the importance and urgency of the cause. • Be specific, if appropriate, about how much you intend to raise. What other funders have supported you. How much you hope the mailing recipient will contribute.

  22. Effective Fundraising Letters • Emphasize any affiliation with a well-known, well respected nonprofit organization, and include the organization’s logo if possible.

  23. Effective Fundraising Letters • Create a theme that can be expressed visually and verbally. Use this theme to create a catchy phrase and the opening paragraph to the letter. For example, with YES Camp we mentioned in our letter that we want our children to return home from summer camp with a “YES” I Can attitude equipped with the knowledge that they can overcome life’s obstacles without the aid of drugs but with the aid of POSITIVE peer pressure and reinforcement from caring adults.

  24. Effective Fundraising Letters • Appeal to the heart.. and the head. (TEAR FACTOR). A critical portion of a fundraising letter is the ability to make the reviewer shed a tear. They may know nothing of your project. Provide the necessary information to show the problems and their history in your community. • Use quotes, anecdotes, and descriptions that appeal to the emotions. Then reinforce the emotions with facts and statistics.

  25. Effective Fundraising Letters • Be positive. Although charitable causes usually involve sad circumstances, don’t over dramatize or dwell on the negative aspects. This will only depress the reader. Don’t overuse adjectives and superlatives. • Don’t use pressure. In the long run, making people feel guilty will not be an effective fundraising technique. Contributors who feel good about their efforts are more likely to repeat the gesture year after year.

  26. Effective Fundraising Letters • Tell the reader what benefits they will receive for their contributions. Businesses need practical reasons to make a donation. • Tax deductions • Give them specific information as to how a donation will help promote a positive public image and achieve visibility within the community. • Announce their name during camp • Print their logo on any publications/brochures

  27. Effective Fundraising Letters • Sponsorship recognition.

  28. Effective Fundraising Letters • Make it as simple as possible for contributors to make a donation. Include all the information and tools a contributor will need, such as payment information, a self-addressed stamped envelope, contact name and number. • Enclose a brochure, if possible .

  29. Develop Partnerships • Boys and Girls Clubs • Big Brothers/Big Sisters • Volunteers of America • Indian Tribes

  30. One last thing… "Government has great responsibilities—for public safety and public health, for civil rights and common schools. Yet compassion is the work of a nation, not just a government. And some needs and hurts are so deep, they will only respond to a mentor’s touch or a pastor’s prayer, church and charity, synagogue and mosque lend our communities their humanity, and they will have an honored place in our plans and laws.“ —President George Bush after being sworn into office, Tennessean, Jan. 21, 2001

  31. Joy Cryer 2604 Slagle Road Leesville, LA 71446 (337) 239-7139 home (337) 239-2444 work (337) 397-7863 cell cryerj@bellsouth.net

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