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Successful Fundraising Strategies in Rural Communities Webinar

Join Sandy Barber, Executive Director of Fannin County Children’s Center, and learn about fundraising challenges and solutions in rural areas. Discover tips on creating a strong fundraising plan, organizing special events, engaging board members, and implementing effective communication strategies. Gain insights on donor stewardship and how to maximize social media for fundraising success. Get ready to boost your fundraising efforts in a rural community setting!

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Successful Fundraising Strategies in Rural Communities Webinar

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  1. Fundraising in Rural Communities Webinar by Sandy Barber Executive Director Fannin County Children’s Center

  2. About me… • Sandy Barber • 13 years - Executive Director • Fannin County Children’s Center • Bonham, TX • CASA & CAC • Budget has grown from $160,00 to $350,000 • 5 full time staff • 11 board members (up to 16)

  3. Please ask questions… • Post questions as we go • We will have time for questions at the end, too

  4. Fundraising in Rural Communities • Limited resources (fewer & smaller corporations and foundations) • Limited staff & board (i.e. no development director) • Limited media sources • Key to fundraising = building relationships

  5. Fundraising Plan • Written plan – update annually • Include: • All of the ways you get money • Who is responsible for doing what • Deadlines • Goals • Stewardship activities • Calendar

  6. Calendar • Include: • Grant deadlines • Special events – planning meetings, sponsor solicitation, publicity, invitations, other major tasks • Trainings • Fairs, festivals • Volunteer appreciation event • Anything that will keep your staff extra busy

  7. Fundraising Plan • Strive to diversify funding sources • Avoid donor fatigue • Evaluate current events & strategies • Help decide on new ideas • Assist when transition in leadership

  8. Special Events • Find your signature event • Justice Is Served • CASAs for CASA (playhouses) • CASAblanca • Cowboys for CASA • Clay shoot • Golf tournament • Chocolate Indulgence

  9. Special Events • Evaluate event • How much money raised? • How much staff & board time? • Increase visibility? • Recruit volunteers? • Other benefits or drawbacks?

  10. Board involvement • Be specific of what needs to be done • Write it down • Example forms: • JIS Sponsor Solicitation • JIS Sponsor Form • JIS Auction Form • JIS Timeline • JIS Server Schedule

  11. Sponsor Solicitation List • Include past giving history = make informed ask • Board assignments – have meeting and ask who wants to ask who • In subsequent years, allow people to change who they ask • Each year brainstorm new prospects • Create in Excel – sort by donor, sort by board

  12. Sponsor Solicitation List • Create goal chart • Break down the big goal into little goals

  13. Sponsor & Auction Forms • Give copies to all board members • Post on website • Helps board members to have info they need when asking • Helps get info needed from donor • As forms are returned, enter info into sponsor log and auction log

  14. Auction Log • Keep track of items – use note column for who will be picking up or delivering it to you or when received • Use mail merge to print bid sheets • After auction, enter winning bids – makes it easier to evaluate what does well and what doesn’t in your auction • Next year, auction committee reviews log, plans who to ask for what - use note column to write asker’s name & do in Excel so can sort by asker’s & donor names

  15. Event Timeline • List briefly all tasks that need to be done (save it on computer, to use each year) • Include timeframe & deadline • Include who is responsible • Check off when done • Review it regularly (Executive Director & Committee Chair)

  16. Event Work Assignments • Create a chart – work assignments for board and staff • Think of people’s talents & skills & match accordingly • Examples • outgoing, friendly people sell raffle tickets • quieter people greet with programs • good handwriting do nametags, etc. • Include times, try to rotate to give breaks • Include floaters (usually ED, Board President & Event Chair) • Remind people: be flexible, adjust accordingly

  17. Direct Mail Campaign • Board involvement: • Hand address envelopes & include personal notes • Give written directions & samples of what to say • Send to their friends, family, other contacts = help grow the agency donor base

  18. Stewardship • Handwritten thank you notes • Phone calls from board members • Photos! • Mail prints with thank you notes • Framed photo collage, hand delivered by board member • Be creative & resourceful • Fresh flower centerpieces at event Saturday night can become thank you gift to sponsors on Monday

  19. Communications • Make sure donors hear from you when you are NOT asking for money or volunteers • Share your news in multiple channels • Website • Media coverage • Mailed newsletters (2-4 times a year) • Email newsletters (monthly?) • Social media (3-7 times a week)

  20. Social Media • Post photos of auction items • Donor recognition • Announce special events, ticket sales, etc • Post event photos (be timely & allow tags) • Announce results of events • early estimates within 24-48 hours • actual amounts later • Results includes both money raised and number in attendance

  21. Questions? Sandy Barber sandy@fanninccc.org (903) 583-4339

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