d s louisville fundraising

Balance Of SupportBalance Of Support

Learning ObjectivesLearning Objectives Relationships are vital to the sustainability and growth Relationships are vital to the sustainability and growth

of your organizationof your organization

Meeting your members needs and performing the Meeting your members needs and performing the group’s mission will bring financial successgroup’s mission will bring financial success

Donors are waiting to be asked to invest in your Donors are waiting to be asked to invest in your mission!mission!

DSL HistoryDSL History19771977 Established first infant/ toddler intervention Established first infant/ toddler intervention

program in Kentucky in partnership with the program in Kentucky in partnership with the local school districtlocal school district

Enrollment 5 Staff 1 Volunteers 3Enrollment 5 Staff 1 Volunteers 3

19961996 4 Programs Enrollment 60 4 Programs Enrollment 60 Staff 1 Full time 1 Part time Volunteers 30Staff 1 Full time 1 Part time Volunteers 30

20012001 6 programs Enrollment 1256 programs Enrollment 125 2 Full time Staff 1 Part time 60 Volunteers2 Full time Staff 1 Part time 60 Volunteers

2008 2008 15 Programs Enrollment 40015 Programs Enrollment 400

Staff 5 Fulltime 3 Part time Volunteers 400Staff 5 Fulltime 3 Part time Volunteers 400

0.00

100,000.00

200,000.00

300,000.00

400,000.00

500,000.00

1977

Budget

1996 2001 2008

Life Long Learning CenterLife Long Learning Center New Family Outreach ProgramNew Family Outreach Program Infant Developmental InterventionInfant Developmental Intervention Toddler/Pre-School Developmental Playgroups Toddler/Pre-School Developmental Playgroups School Age Creative Enrichment Program/Summer CampSchool Age Creative Enrichment Program/Summer Camp Sib-ShopsSib-Shops Totally Tweeners Social Skills/Communication DevelopmentTotally Tweeners Social Skills/Communication Development Dreams with Wings Teen Summer CampDreams with Wings Teen Summer Camp Teen and Adult Life Style/ Social ProgramTeen and Adult Life Style/ Social Program Steps to Independence Life Skills ProgramsSteps to Independence Life Skills Programs Adult Literacy Individual tutoring and group classesAdult Literacy Individual tutoring and group classes Everyone Reads ProgramEveryone Reads Program Behavior Intervention / Family CounselingBehavior Intervention / Family Counseling Career Solutions Job PlacementCareer Solutions Job Placement Advocacy for Education Health Community AccessAdvocacy for Education Health Community Access Family Networking EventsFamily Networking Events

New CampusNew CampusLife Long Learning CenterLife Long Learning Center

Membership and FriendsMembership and Friends1977 1977 Membership Membership 15 15 Friends Friends 4040

19961996 Membership Membership 84 84 Friends Friends 350350

20012001 Membership Membership 225 Friends 650225 Friends 650

2008 2008 Membership Membership 720 720 Friends Friends 14,00014,000

Balance of Support Balance of Support

Ideal Source of SupportIdeal Source of Support 20% Grants20% Grants 50% Donations50% Donations 20% Events20% Events 10% In Kind10% In Kind

Typical Source of Support Typical Source of Support 10%Grants 10%Grants 10% Donations10% Donations 70% Events70% Events 10% In Kind 10% In Kind

Grants

Donations

Events

In Kind

Grants

Donations

Events

In Kind

Donor ProfileDonor Profile

Building Your Building Your Infrastructure Infrastructure

Board StructureBoard Structure:: Recruit parents, extended family, volunteers and Recruit parents, extended family, volunteers and

community professionals community professionals

Percentage of board members of community Percentage of board members of community professionals goal to be at least 40%professionals goal to be at least 40%

Establish policies for attendance and participation in Establish policies for attendance and participation in

fundraising activities and campaignsfundraising activities and campaigns

Establish a Development Committee Establish a Development Committee

Include a Development goal in your board’s strategic Include a Development goal in your board’s strategic planplan

Building Your Building Your InfrastructureInfrastructure

Members Recruitment & RetentionMembers Recruitment & Retention Establish policies and practices to ensure a welcoming environment for Establish policies and practices to ensure a welcoming environment for

all. Inclusive of age, complexity of diagnosis, race, religion, ethnic, all. Inclusive of age, complexity of diagnosis, race, religion, ethnic, economic, or sexual orientationeconomic, or sexual orientation

Establish an effective referral network with community partnersEstablish an effective referral network with community partners

Develop an effective First Call program including a system for maintaining Develop an effective First Call program including a system for maintaining contact with new parentscontact with new parents

Host regular networking events appropriate for various age groupsHost regular networking events appropriate for various age groups

When creating programs survey membership for relevancy for their needsWhen creating programs survey membership for relevancy for their needs


Friend Recruitment and RetentionFriend Recruitment and Retention Encourage participation of extended family to attend member networking Encourage participation of extended family to attend member networking

events and volunteerevents and volunteer

Contact local civic and business groups to book speaking engagements Contact local civic and business groups to book speaking engagements and encourage members to volunteer or attend events and encourage members to volunteer or attend events

Invite Friends to events and programs that showcases your organizationInvite Friends to events and programs that showcases your organization

Seek advice from Friends/Supporters within their area of expertise Seek advice from Friends/Supporters within their area of expertise

Invite Friends/Supporter to serve on special projects or committees Invite Friends/Supporter to serve on special projects or committees

Treasure your volunteers and seek input from experienced volunteers in Treasure your volunteers and seek input from experienced volunteers in future planning future planning


Data BaseData Base Implement a consistent method of collecting Implement a consistent method of collecting

member/friend contact information. member/friend contact information.

Create a data base system to record member’s/friend Create a data base system to record member’s/friend detailed contact information including donations, detailed contact information including donations, volunteer history, career and charitable interests.volunteer history, career and charitable interests.

Allocate volunteer/staff to record and update Allocate volunteer/staff to record and update informationinformation

Building Your Building Your Infrastructure Infrastructure

Communications and Public RelationsCommunications and Public Relations

Include a communication/public relations goal in your strategic planInclude a communication/public relations goal in your strategic plan

Send all Friends/Supporters your general newsletterSend all Friends/Supporters your general newsletter

Develop an electronic system communication that is informative but not Develop an electronic system communication that is informative but not annoyingannoying

Establish relationships with local TV, Radio and Print media Establish relationships with local TV, Radio and Print media

Send press releases in regard to programming events and Send press releases in regard to programming events and accomplishments not just fund raising eventsaccomplishments not just fund raising events

Portray a Positive Community PresencePortray a Positive Community Presence

Grant BasicsGrant Basics

Must be a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization Must be a 501c3 Non-Profit Organization Competitive /Graded on specific criteriaCompetitive /Graded on specific criteria Rate of Success Average 20%Rate of Success Average 20% Equipment and educational materials are Equipment and educational materials are

funded at a higher rates than salaries funded at a higher rates than salaries Grantors accept proposals during a Grantors accept proposals during a

specific time frame specific time frame


Identify staff, volunteer or professional grant writer to Identify staff, volunteer or professional grant writer to complete the grantcomplete the grant

Seek grant writing trainingSeek grant writing training

Allocate time to identify Grantors who’s guidelines Allocate time to identify Grantors who’s guidelines match your needsmatch your needs

Create a written descriptive narrative and budget for Create a written descriptive narrative and budget for

the request for fundsthe request for funds

Develop a relationship with grantor’s directorDevelop a relationship with grantor’s director


Allocate time for reports that Grantors Allocate time for reports that Grantors require usually outcome measurements require usually outcome measurements of your programof your program

Grantors typically do not fund the same Grantors typically do not fund the same need year after year.need year after year.

Grantors will fund new programs if well Grantors will fund new programs if well designed and the pilot program designed and the pilot program demonstrates positive outcomes demonstrates positive outcomes

Annual Annual Campaigns/DonationsCampaigns/Donations

Establish an Annual Fund instead of MembershipEstablish an Annual Fund instead of Membership Membership dues typically sets the bar to lowMembership dues typically sets the bar to low Membership may imply a time commitmentMembership may imply a time commitment Yearly Donations set a habit with the donors that can Yearly Donations set a habit with the donors that can

last a life time last a life time Donors will contribute to both an annual campaign Donors will contribute to both an annual campaign

and the Buddy Walkand the Buddy Walk An Annual campaign does not need to be in An Annual campaign does not need to be in

December December


Create a case of supportCreate a case of support1.1. Detail why you need the fundsDetail why you need the funds

2.2. Illustrate your service in relation to a suggested donation Illustrate your service in relation to a suggested donation

Example $100.00 will purchase 3 new parent welcome basketsExample $100.00 will purchase 3 new parent welcome baskets

3.3. Demonstrate how the donor’s funds will impact a person with Demonstrate how the donor’s funds will impact a person with Down syndromeDown syndrome

4.4. Use a personal story or ask a family to write a letter to donorsUse a personal story or ask a family to write a letter to donors

describing how the organization met their needs.describing how the organization met their needs.

5.5. Document that your organization is reliable, responsible and Document that your organization is reliable, responsible and good stewards of donated funds good stewards of donated funds


Organize Your CampaignOrganize Your Campaign Recruit/appoint Chair/Co ChairRecruit/appoint Chair/Co Chair

Set a Goal and a start and ending date for the campaign Set a Goal and a start and ending date for the campaign

Recruit committee members including all board membersRecruit committee members including all board members

Train Committee on techniques for asking for donationsTrain Committee on techniques for asking for donations

Analyze your list of members/friends and project donors that are Analyze your list of members/friends and project donors that are likely to donate and estimate an average donationlikely to donate and estimate an average donation

Set a Budget include printing ,mailing cost and event expensesSet a Budget include printing ,mailing cost and event expenses


A Personal Call Makes a DifferenceA Personal Call Makes a Difference Mailing a brochure is not an annual campaignMailing a brochure is not an annual campaign Typical return on just mailing is 1-5%Typical return on just mailing is 1-5% Select from your data base Supporters that warrant a Select from your data base Supporters that warrant a

personal call or visit personal call or visit DO NOT MAILDO NOT MAIL Check with your committee to see who may have a Check with your committee to see who may have a

connection with donors that will receive a call/visitconnection with donors that will receive a call/visit Use the power of e-mail but selectivelyUse the power of e-mail but selectively The personal touch raised over The personal touch raised over $10,000$10,000 with 105 donors with 105 donors

1/3 of our goal1/3 of our goal

Annual Annual Campaign/DonationsCampaign/Donations

The Dreaded Ask:The Dreaded Ask: The Donor is Waiting for the Opportunity To The Donor is Waiting for the Opportunity To

Give!Give! Learn more about the “friend” and why he is a supporter of your Learn more about the “friend” and why he is a supporter of your

causecause Understand his giving history both dollars and talent Understand his giving history both dollars and talent Call or e-mail for a short appointmentCall or e-mail for a short appointment Bring on the appointment a recent newsletter or materials that Bring on the appointment a recent newsletter or materials that

illustrate the growth of the groupillustrate the growth of the group Share with the donor either your personal story or another Share with the donor either your personal story or another

member that benefited from their support. Thank him/her for his member that benefited from their support. Thank him/her for his prior contributionsprior contributions


Share with the donor the objectives of the Share with the donor the objectives of the campaign and the goalcampaign and the goal

Ask for his advise or comments on the planAsk for his advise or comments on the plan Invite her to invest in the vision and join the Invite her to invest in the vision and join the

campaigncampaign Ask the donor to complete the pledge sheetAsk the donor to complete the pledge sheet Thank the donor for his time and invite him to Thank the donor for his time and invite him to

an upcoming eventan upcoming event

Annual Annual Campaign/DonationsCampaign/Donations

Show us the MoneyShow us the Money Set up convenient ways for people to giveSet up convenient ways for people to give Arrange with bank to accept all credit cardsArrange with bank to accept all credit cards Arrange with bank for auto debit on a monthly Arrange with bank for auto debit on a monthly

basisbasis Allow for pledges with quarterly payment Allow for pledges with quarterly payment

schedule especially for larger donationsschedule especially for larger donations Design your brochure for an easy return Design your brochure for an easy return

envelope envelope

DonationsDonations

Celebrate and HonorCelebrate and Honor List in every newsletter the opportunity to List in every newsletter the opportunity to

donate to honor any life event or a memorial donate to honor any life event or a memorial List the opportunity to donate on the web siteList the opportunity to donate on the web site Create donation envelopes with lines to honor Create donation envelopes with lines to honor

a loved onea loved one Insert a donation envelope in each newsletterInsert a donation envelope in each newsletter Distribute donation envelopes to area Funeral Distribute donation envelopes to area Funeral

HomesHomes

THANK The DONORTHANK The DONOR

Thank the donor in a formal letter that is suitable for tax Thank the donor in a formal letter that is suitable for tax purposespurposes

Thank the donor within 7 daysThank the donor within 7 days Thank the donor with a phone call for first time gifts or Thank the donor with a phone call for first time gifts or

extraordinary gifts ( not necessarily based on size of extraordinary gifts ( not necessarily based on size of gift)gift)

Designate giving levels and list donors in those levelsDesignate giving levels and list donors in those levels Thank the donor next time you see themThank the donor next time you see them Thank the donor in your newsletter Thank the donor in your newsletter Ask your members to thank the DonorAsk your members to thank the Donor Consider an event to thank donors and volunteers Consider an event to thank donors and volunteers THANK THANK THANK the DONOR!THANK THANK THANK the DONOR!

Fundraisers By FriendsFundraisers By Friends

Developing Relationships with Community OrganizationsDeveloping Relationships with Community Organizations Identify service organizations that raise dollars for Identify service organizations that raise dollars for

charitiescharities Join and attend your local chamber of commerce and Join and attend your local chamber of commerce and

business associationbusiness association Identify labor unions or employee associations that Identify labor unions or employee associations that

raise dollars for charitiesraise dollars for charities Inquire with members whose employers sponsor Inquire with members whose employers sponsor

Charity daysCharity days Identify restaurants that fundraise for charitiesIdentify restaurants that fundraise for charities

Fundraising EventsFundraising Events

3 Essential Elemental Questions3 Essential Elemental Questions

What will it cost to produce? What will it cost to produce?

What is the minimum dollars it will raise?What is the minimum dollars it will raise?

What is the cost of human resources? What is the cost of human resources?


Answers or More QuestionsAnswers or More Questions The ideal cost range to produce 0- 30%The ideal cost range to produce 0- 30%

Is the minimum dollars raised less than Is the minimum dollars raised less than the projection cost??? If Yes STOP!the projection cost??? If Yes STOP!

Will staff or volunteer comprise core Will staff or volunteer comprise core services to prepare and staff event???services to prepare and staff event???


Will this event showcase your mission?Will this event showcase your mission?

Will this event afford opportunities for individuals with Will this event afford opportunities for individuals with Down syndrome to participate?Down syndrome to participate?

Will this event introduce new “Friends” to your Will this event introduce new “Friends” to your organization?organization?

Will this event be unique and fun?Will this event be unique and fun?

Will you be competing with established events? Will you be competing with established events?


Get OrganizedGet Organized Recruit chair/co chair Recruit chair/co chair Set Fundraising Goal and BudgetSet Fundraising Goal and Budget Book Venue Book Venue Solicit businesses for SponsorshipSolicit businesses for Sponsorship Solicit volunteersSolicit volunteers Solicit vendors for favorable discountsSolicit vendors for favorable discounts Solicit guests /participantsSolicit guests /participants AdvertiseAdvertise Set up Clean upSet up Clean up

Questions??Questions?? Contact Diana MerzweilerContact Diana Merzweiler

[email protected]@dsl.win.net 502-495-5088502-495-5088

d s louisville fundraising

Spiritual

program grantors

new programs

life time donors

programming events

grant basics

member networking events

programs survey membership

pilot program