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Developing Sustainable Income Streams for Volunteer Programs

Developing Sustainable Income Streams for Volunteer Programs. Nathan Truitt The Izaak Walton League of America. Strengths and Weaknesses of Volunteer Programs in Fundraising. Weaknesses Limited fundraising experience, equipment Competing with large organizations for funding

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Developing Sustainable Income Streams for Volunteer Programs

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  1. Developing Sustainable Income Streams for Volunteer Programs Nathan Truitt The Izaak Walton League of America

  2. Strengths and Weaknesses of Volunteer Programs in Fundraising • Weaknesses • Limited fundraising experience, equipment • Competing with large organizations for funding • Dependent upon free time of volunteers Strengths Community-based, clear value proposition Connections to community members, businesses Low administrative costs, “know where the money is going” Volunteers are “natural” fundraisers

  3. What is needed An approach that is . . . Simple Can be implemented by volunteers Requires no specialized techniques or equipment Leverages community connections of volunteers

  4. “But fundraising is . . . . . . complicated.”. . . difficult.”. . . requires special knowledge or training.”. . . something you can do only if you know a lot of rich people.”

  5. Fundraising is the act of establishing, developing, and maintaining relationships with individuals who can help you achieve your goals.

  6. You already do this: Recruiting volunteers Working with the media Advocating for changes in stream management In principle, it is no different.

  7. Four steps: Identify potential relationships Qualify relationships Advance relationships Maintain relationships

  8. IDENTIFY: Who can you talk to? The most important part is getting an appointment. Start with those people you know. Don’t worry about how much money they have. In the beginning, passion is most important. Think BROADLY. Absolutely, without a doubt, immediately, as your very first priority, TALK TO VOLUNTEERS!!!

  9. QUALIFY: Through conversations, you should learn: What is important to the person? Recognition? Low overhead? Social impact? What resources does the person have? Money? Contacts? Time? All three? DO NOT think only about $$$.

  10. ADVANCE: In a subsequent conversation, you should propose: A specific step or steps the individual could take to advance your mission. A follow-up process that allows them some time to think about it if need be.

  11. MAINTAIN: Regardless of the outcome of previous steps, you should: Regularly update the individual about your work (in person if possible) Let them know how important their support has been to your success.

  12. IMPLEMENTATION Volunteer leaders get together to brainstorm a list of people they could talk to. A volunteer should only suggest someone that they themselves can speak to (the Warren Buffet Rule). One person agrees to keep track of the effort. That person compiles a list of contacts for each individual. Everyone agrees to speak to their list by a certain date.

  13. IMPLEMENTATION 5) After that date, everyone gets back together and reports. Together, volunteers determine what to ask for from each individual, if anything. New deadlines are set for each volunteer. The process is repeated, with new names and new volunteers added as necessary. IT TAKES TIME!!!

  14. DO NOT DELAY There will always be some reason you are not “ready.” You do not need fancy materials. The core of this activity is having conversations. The more people you talk to, the better the results, and there is no reason not to start today.

  15. ONE FINAL THING TO KEEP IN MIND: According to the Independent Sector, 55% of donors gave because they were asked.

  16. Contact: Nathan Truitt ntruitt@iwla.org

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