Nonprofit Association Finances & FundraisingEverett Ison7th District Commander1 Objectives Develop a customized fundraising plan that meets your Post programs needs

Gain an in-depth understanding of major fundraising strategies that best fit your needs

Acquire the tools to develop a fundraising plan

2Whos ready to plan a fundraiser?

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Fundraising at a glance

What do we already know?

Major Gifts

Individual giving Corporate, foundation, and government giving, including grantsScholarships

Fundraising at a glance Event-based fundraising

Carefully set goals and choose your fundraising planBe creativeBe enthusiastic & confident when approaching donors and potential participantsRaise money for something specific & communicate this to donors Tell your story! Planning is key! Fundraising Plan Comprehensive document that:

Clearly spells out the overall fundraising picture of your Post / group

Lays out action steps to raise money from a variety of sources

States how much you need to raise, from what sources, and how you will do it

Gives your fundraising efforts a direction and a clear process to follow

6 Fundraising Plan Benefits Maximizes all resources, overlooks nothing

Prioritizes opportunities, events and actions

Adapts and takes advantage of new opportunities

Avoids repeating the same old strategies or mistakes

Delegate, monitor actions and secure funding7What you need to know before developing your fundraising plan?

8How to Come Up with a Fundraiser that Works for YOUR Area? Think of a creative solution to a problem people in your community face

Center your fundraising around activities people will already be doing and they will be more likely to participate in during an economic slowdown

9Discussion PointIdentify a couple of fundraisers that has been held in your community.

List some services specific to your Post

Identify a major need in your community, a group at risk, or a critical situation you want to address

Identify what other non profit organizations are doing? The competition are they addressing the problem? How about their fundraising efforts? What are they successful at?

Factor in all these aspects. Gain a better understanding of how you can address the need, secure funding and be successful?

Your Fundraising Cause Why is your cause important? Why people should care?

Be able to concisely communicate WHY you are a an American Legion Member and why you got involved with this particular project

Tell your story and paint the BIG PICTURE!

11Your Fundraising CauseIdentifying your cause:

Be able to briefly communicate what this specific project or service is and why it is needed

What are you raising money for? Be specific.What other organizations provide the services youre raising money for? What are some of the downstream effects of not having this service?

12Your Fundraising CauseWhat makes The American Legion a credible organization?

What are some past accomplishments?

How long has The American Legion or Post been in existence?

How many members do you have? (Nationally, Deapartment, and Locally

13Elements of a Fundraising PlanSummaryBrief identification and mission The American Legion or ProgramThe purpose and anticipated end result of this proposalThe type and amount of support requestedThe total anticipated budgetOther information you deem pertinent

14Elements of a Fundraising PlanI. Introduction

The document should cover:

The purpose of your Post / programKey activities and services Target populationPast major accomplishments 15Elements of a Fundraising PlanII. Fundraising Needs

Where does your money currently go?

What projects do you currently spend money on?

16Elements of a Fundraising PlanII. Fundraising Needs

What additional service projects would you like to do this year and what are some of the costs involved with those projects?

Consider the services The American Legion mission mandates

How can you help your post fill in the gaps?

What money/resources do you need to raise in order to help fill in the gaps and help provide that service? Elements of a Fundraising PlanII. Fundraising Needs Are there specific tools or items that would make your program more efficient? Would you like to consider raising the money to buy that item?

Can you justify this expense and quantify the benefits that would come from the purchase?Elements of a Fundraising PlanII. Fundraising Needs

Would you like to raise money for a specific service as a project?

Would your program benefit from an endowment?19Elements of a Fundraising PlanIII. Fundraising Resources

What unique talents are represented in your program? Technology skills?Craft skills?Cooking skills?Chili Cook-offBBQsMusical ability?

20Elements of a Fundraising PlanIII. Fundraising Resources

Identify your stakeholders

A stakeholder is someone who has an interest in or is affected by a project

Who are stakeholders in your program?

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Possible Stakeholders22Elements of a Fundraising PlanIII. Fundraising ResourcesWhat other resources do you have?Time?Number of members?Ties to the school system?Current budgetYour age! What resources are available through your Post?National and Department?

23Finally SAYTHANK YOU!!!24Questions??25