October Topics for High Performance - Fundraising

Proudly sponsored by: Nonprofit University

Funding is a constant topic of conversation among nonprofit leaders: How much do we need? Where can we find it? Why isn’t there more of it? Unfortunately, the answers are not readily available. In today’s fluctuating economic climate, nonprofit organizations not only need resources, but they need robust partnerships they can leverage in times of crisis as well. For October’s Topic for High Performance, GCN is focusing on fundraising strategies to help your nonprofit develop and maintain the resources necessary for mission achievement.

We all know that every nonprofits fundraising strategy is different; but there is one thread that binds them all, Stewardship! Stewardship has the potential to establish a bond between donor and recipient thereby creating a partnership. Stewardship goes beyond the handwritten thank you note; it is the cornerstone of effective donor cultivation that permeates throughout the culture of a nonprofit. An effective stewardship program starts with the first donation and is systematic and on-going. Stewardship is ultimately the set of principles and practices that have the potential to make dramatic changes in your nonprofit’s ability to fundraise, especially during challenging economic times.

"No practice is more important in the development process than stewardship, the continued involvement, cultivation and care of those who give.”
- Kay Sprinkel Grace, Beyond Fundraising.

CenterView Newsletter

Find the October copy of CenterView relating to Fundraising by clicking here.

Fundraising Spotlight - This month GCN is spotlighting Ben Johnson, the Volunteer Fundraiser of the Year! Click here to listen to an exclusive GCN interview with this year’s honoree.

Fundraising Spotlight - Grant Opportunities

1. National Endowment for the Arts - Research Grant for Art Works - Deadline 11/8/2011.
2. Youth Service America- State Farm funding for Service Learning Projects - Deadline 11/9/2011.
3. Agricultural Marketing Service- Certification Cost-Share Assistance for Organic Agricultural Product Producers - Deadline 11/15/2011.
4. Siemen’s Foundation- We Can Change the World Challenge for K-12 Students to Address Environmental Issues - Deadline 03/15/2012.

Tools & Resources

TOHP Quick Tools

Developing a fundraising strategy? Use the Comprehensive Fundraising Model to help you find the best fit for your nonprofit.

Looking for new donors to fund your programs? Use the Maximize Giving Tool to help identify your most likely supporters!

Want to align your programs, investments and practices? Mission Stewardship can help your nonprofit have a more significant impact!

Want to make sure your fundraising can survive the recession? Raising Money During Challenging Times can help provide solutions!

Nonprofit University Resources

Certificate Programs starting in October:
1. Certificate of Advanced Nonprofit Fundraising. Click here for more details.

Solution Sets, Toolkits, and Curriculum Materials available for GCN Members Only! Login or Become a Member!

Additional Resources

Nonprofits and Economic Downturns. Click here to access the Foundation Centers Topical Resource List for links to a bibliographic database addressing nonprofits and economic downturns, including resources to help nonprofits manage and fundraise effectively.

Ten Nonprofit Funding Models. (Spring 2009). William Landes Foster, Peter Kim, & Barbara Christiansen, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stanford Social Innovation Review.

The 2010 Nonprofit Fundraising Survey. (March 2011). The Nonprofit Research Collaborative.

Donor Relations and Stewardship Defined . Association of Donor Relations Professionals (ADRP).

All Stewardship is Local. (December 2010). Natalie Highland, NCDC.

The Key Financial Challenges Facing Nonprofits Today: and How Grantmakers Can Help. (2009). Nancy Burd, Grantmakers for Effective Organizations.

Networking Opportunities & Events

AFP Breakfast Meeting - The Next Generation of American Giving
Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Location: The Loudermilk Center, 40 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30303

Georgia Micro Enterprise Network - Annual Entrepreneurship Summit
Date: Thursday - Friday, October 20-21, 2011
Location: Georgia World Congress Center, 285 Andrew Young Intl. Blvd., NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30313

Foundation Center Webinar - The Cycle of Nonprofit Sustainability (3 Part Series)
Building Your Nonprofit's Sustainability in the "New Normal"
• The Cycle of Nonprofit Sustainability, October 27, 2011
• Strengthening Your Nonprofit's Income Portfolio, November 3, 2011
• Nonprofit Economics: Building Financial Capacity, November 10, 2011
Click here to register or for more information.