Fundraising and Grants

Fundraising

Useful Links and Samples

• Fundraising Planning Worksheet  
• Donation acknowledgements and receipts
• Fundraising Plan
• Code of Ethical Standards – Association of Fundraising Professionals 

Fundraising Basic Principle

Fundraising success is based on relationship building and includes trust, shared values, transparency, clear communication of impact and inspiration.

Getting Ready to Fundraise

• Develop or Review:
  • Strategic Plan and Budget – Align fundraising priorities with the organization’s vision, mission, goals, identified needs and budget.
  • Board Member Roles - Clearly define and communicate fundraising expectations. Include in the Board’s Job Description.
  • Organizational Understanding – Clarify roles in the fundraising process.
  • Gift Acceptance Policies
  • Recognition and Thank You Policies
  • Donor Agreements (if applicable)
  • Tracking System
  • Evaluation Method

Components of a Comprehensive Fundraising Plan

• Annual Fund - Mass mailings / text appeals, social media campaigns including GivingTuesday. For resources, visit the GivingTuesday website and special events
• Major Gifts - Planned, organized strategies for identifying, prioritizing, cultivating, solicitating and stewarding major donors.
• Planned Giving - Bequests, wills (most common) and other deferred giving options.
• Grants - Research, identification and application submittal
• Corporations / Foundations / Government /Matching Grants
• Capital or Comprehensive Campaign - Typically requires external consultant
• Thank You Process

Noteworthy Considerations

• Align fundraising plan with marketing strategy.
• New donor acquisition often costs significantly more than retaining existing donors.
• Limit special events to one or two signature events annually due to their time-intensive nature.
• Develop a balanced, sustainable funding plan with diverse sources of funding.

Grants

Grant Research 

For assistance in identifying grant sources, please contact the Small Business and Nonprofit services at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library or your county’s Public Library.

Grant Writing

To learn more about grant writing, please visit the Candid Learning Center

For additional information, please submit a Nonprofit Consulting Request.