Transcript Everett Ison

Nonprofit Association
Finances & Fundraising
Everett Ison
7th District Commander
Objectives
• Develop a customized fundraising plan that
meets your Post program’s needs
• Gain an in-depth understanding of major
fundraising strategies that best fit your
needs
• Acquire the tools to develop a fundraising
plan
Who’s ready to
plan a
fundraiser?
Fundraising at a glance
What do we already know?
Major Gifts
 Individual giving
 Corporate, foundation, and
government giving, including grants
 Scholarships
Fundraising at a glance
Event-based fundraising
 Carefully set goals and choose your fundraising
plan
 Be creative
 Be enthusiastic & confident when approaching
donors and potential participants
 Raise 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
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 funding
What you need to know
before developing your
fundraising plan?
How 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
Discussion Point
•
Identify 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!
Your Fundraising Cause
Identifying 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
you’re raising money for?
• What are some of the downstream effects of not
having this service?
Your Fundraising Cause
What 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
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
Summary
• Brief identification and mission The American Legion or
Program
• The purpose and anticipated end result of this proposal
• The type and amount of support requested
• The total anticipated budget
• Other information you deem pertinent
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
I. Introduction
The document should cover:
The purpose of your Post / program
Key activities and services
Target population
Past major accomplishments
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
II. Fundraising Needs
 Where does your money
currently go?
 What projects do you currently
spend money on?
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
II. 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 Plan
II. 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 Plan
II. Fundraising Needs
• Would you like to raise money for a
specific service as a project?
• Would your program benefit from an
endowment?
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
III. Fundraising Resources
– What unique talents are
represented in your
program?
•
•
•
Technology skills?
Craft skills?
Cooking skills?
–
–
•
Chili Cook-off
BBQ’s
Musical ability?
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
III. 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?
Possible Stakeholders
Elements of a Fundraising Plan
III. Fundraising Resources
• What other resources do you have?

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

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•
Time?
Number of members?
Ties to the school system?
Current budget
Your age!
What resources are available through
your Post?
–
National and Department?
Finally
SAY
THANK YOU!!!