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funding

Preparing for Fundraising

Creating a comprehensive fundraising strategy is essential for nonprofits looking to secure funding. Here's a checklist to help guide you through the process:

  1. Define Organizational Need

    • Determine what you need by evaluating current resources, upcoming projects, and future aspirations.

  2. Identify Your Fundraising Team

    • Decide who will take active roles in fundraising - board members, staff, and/or volunteers.

  3. Discuss Team Roles

    • Outline responsibilities for each team member to streamline the process and improve efficiency.

  4. Gather Required Documents

  5. Decide How You Will Track and Manage Opportunities

    • Implement a system to monitor opportunities, deadlines, and outcomes - CRM, spreadsheet, or list.

  6. Create a Fundraising Calendar

    • Design a timeline of activities, deadlines, and key dates to ensure no opportunities are missed.

  7. Choose a Fundraising Method or Methods

    • Evaluate and select the fundraising techniques that best fit your organization.

    • refer to: Fundraising Methods

  8. Set Fundraising Goals

    • Clearly outline your targets - financial goals, number of applications sent, etc.

  9. Register for Giving Portals and Platforms

  10. Search for and Apply to Opportunities:

By following this checklist, organizations can navigate the fundraising process more efficiently and maximize their potential for securing necessary funds.

Supermarket Gift Cards and Grants for Nonprofits

Many supermarkets offer gift cards and grants to nonprofits as part of their community outreach and corporate social responsibility initiatives. While the specific programs and availability may vary by location, here are some examples of major supermarkets that have been known to offer such opportunities:

Aldi Cares Community Grants

Costco Warehouse Donation Request Form

Kroger Giving Back

Publix Super Markets Charities

Walmart Local Community Grants

Whole Foods Community Giving

Fundraising | Document Checklist

Use this list to get organized before you start soliciting funds

Administrative

  • IRS Determination Letter (501c3)

  • Signed W9

  • Recent 990

  • Staff Bios/ Resumes

  • List of Board Members and Partners

Financial

  • Operational Budget

  • Actual Program Budget

  • Requested Program Budget

  • Income statements

  • Audited financials

  • Grants.gov /login.gov access information

Program

  • Mission Statement

  • Organization’s History

  • Draft Letter of Inquiry

  • Logic Model or Program Overview

  • Program or Event Description

  • Impact Statement

  • Case for Support

  • Project Plan with Timeline

  • Sustainability Plan

  • Service Numbers and Demographics

End of Year Appeals

An annual appeal is a request for donations sent at the end of the year for something specific. According to NonprofitsSource.com, 30% of annual giving occurs in December, so it's important for nonprofits to position themselves and be prepared for the ask. Below is a template and sample letter to help guide your writing.

DevoCenter Sample Letter

GREETING

This year we’ve made great strides towards our efforts to help female founders of educational nonprofits deliver meaningful youth programs and have fulfilling careers in community service. In December we will complete the 2nd year pilot of our Changemakers Leadership Program. We also launched our digital library for nonprofit leaders who want to get organized and prepare for funding. We’re excited to share the successes that our leaders have had, the challenges that they still face and give you an opportunity to get involved and support women at work with our kids.

STORY

The women we serve are enthusiastic, connected their causes, and dedicated to learning that uplifts and prepares young people for the future. They are knowledgeable, creative problem solvers who selflessly devote their time to improving the lives of others. These nonprofit leaders need support in the form of resources and capacity to continue their important work. In 2022 through our Changemakers program we delivered more than 300 pro bono hours, resulting in operational audits, brand kits and funder packages that help demonstrate organizational readiness and articulate programmatic impact.

NEED

In 2023 we intend to continue our work with existing Changemakers. We learned through the pilot that more work is needed around data collection, program evaluation and measurement of outcomes. Assessing program performance is essential for decision-making and inspiring confidence in supporters. Our goal is to raise $12,495 in support of this project.

DIRECT ASK

Please consider a gift of $125 or more in support of women entreprenuers and the young people who rely on them for personal development, out-of-school learning experiences, community service opportunities and holistic care. Your donation can be made securely online at devocenter.org/donate.

CLOSING

Thank you for your consideration and for believing that local women can and should be empowered to make positive change in our neighborhoods. Please contact us if we can be of service in any way, and connect with us online: linkin.bio/devocenter.

SIGNATURE

With sincere love and gratitude,

Charlene Turner
Executive Director
DevoCenter for Service-Learning

Finding Statistics for Nonprofit Proposals

Letter of Inquiry Template

A compelling, well-organized, and succinct letter of inquiry to describe your organization and programs to prospective funders is an essential document for all nonprofits. It should be 1 - 2 pages long, and each letter should be customized to meet individual funder requirements or requests.

A letter of inquiry (LOI) introduces your organization to a funder. It’s purpose is to provide a brief but persuasive overview of your nonprofits mission and programs. The funder should be able to relate to and be excited about the work.

Use these tips as a loose guideline for creating your LOI.

  1. Open by explaining how your program is a best fit for the funders priorities

  2. Describe your organizations history, vision and mission - be succinct

  3. Provide the program overview in 1 paragraph - including intended outcomes and the budget

  4. Include a statement of need which describes the problem you are solving, why your project deserve to be funded, and how funding will make a difference in your work

  5. Explain how you will evaluate the program and how you will know if the program is a success. List specific activities.

  6. Provide a statement about the program budget. Here you might also include the cost per participant and additional funding sources expected or applied for. If the 100% of board members have contributed financially to the program, or the organization carries no debt or operating deficit you should include this information as well.

  7. Close by providing contact information, and offer to answer any additional questions. If you are including attachments, note them. Thank the funder for their consideration of your work.

LETTER OF INQUIRY TEMPLATE

  • Purpose. The purpose, or mission, of the organization.

  • Organization Profile. What it is and what it does.

  • Organizational Strategy. The approach the organization uses to achieve its mission (high level only, details not required).

  • Population Served. The primary persons served by the organization and their need for services (what problems you address).

  • Program Description. Snapshot of the program for which you seek support—what it seeks to achieve, for whom, and how.

  • Outcomes. What outcomes the program achieves for the persons served—changes in behavior, skill, knowledge, attitude, or situation.

  • Use of Funds. The exact purpose for which funds would be requested.

  • Contact Person. The name and contact details for the person who would submit a Grant Proposal, if approved (the Foundation will respond to this person and copy the author of the Letter of Inquiry, if different).

  • Website. The organization’s website, or the program’s if it has a separate site.

Recommended Nonprofit Technology

Nonprofit founders, entrepreneurs and managers wear many hats. In addition to running programs, leaders have to be familiar with technology that supports productivity, communication, recruiting, financial management, marketing, grant opportunities and fundraising.

Here are the resources that we use to get things done with ease.

Productivity

TechSoup
Access donations and discounts on software, hardware, and tech services

Microsoft Office 365
Your place to create, communicate, collaborate, and get great work done

Google for Nonprofits
Be more collaborative, productive, and efficient with Google Workspace

Bookkeeping

Wave
Free accounting software for nonprofits

QuickBooks Online
Nonprofit accounting software solution

Gusto Payroll
Hire, pay, insure, and support your employees with Gusto's all-in-one people platform

CRM’s and Donor Management

Salesforce.org
Scale funding and increase operational effectiveness with Salesforce. Free or discounted for nonprofits.

Staff, Volunteer and Board Recruiting

Idealist
Connects people who want to do good with opportunities for action and collaboration.

Volunteer Match
Matches inspired volunteers and nonprofits to achieve remarkable outcomes.

Foundation List
A national job board for nonprofits. Connecting people to help create greater impact.

Create The Good
Connects nonprofits with volunteers ready to share their life experiences, skills and passions.

Design and Marketing

Canva
Create social media graphics, videos, logos, marketing materials and more

iContact
Easy email marketing for nonprofit organizations

Envato
Everything you need to get creative projects done

Elfsight
Ready-to-use website widgets to help increase sales, engage visitors, collect leads and more.

Adobe Creative Cloud
software used for graphic design, video editing, photography and more

Squarespace
Establish a presences and take donations with this website

Grant Databases

Foundation Directory by Candid
Grants database and grantmaker search tools

GrantStation
Grants database, tools and info to secure nonprofit funding

GrantWatch
Grants database for nonprofits and municipalities updated daily

Instrumentl
Grant discovery, research, and tracking in one place

Fundraising

Guidestar by Candid
Connecting donors and funders to nonprofit organizations

Grants.gov
Subscribe for funding opportunities and apply for federal grants

Dun and Bradstreet
Register your business to establish credibility with funders and partners

Giving Portals

Network for Good
Online giving and donor management software for nonprofits

Cybergrants FrontDoor
Claim your organization to access the hundreds of corporate giving portals

YourCause GrantsConnect
Manage grantmaking from online grant applications through payments

Benevity Causes Portal
Helping nonprofits access and become eligible for corporate giving

Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Verbs

Bloom’s Taxonomy is a classification of verbs to help us describe observable knowledge, skills, attitudes, behaviors and abilities.

It’s a useful list of action verbs to help write learning objectives and program outcomes for proposals and reports.

Google Doc

PDF Download

REVISED Bloom’s Taxonomy Action Verbs

DEFINITIONS
REMEMBERING
UNDERSTANDING
APPLYING
ANALYZING
EVALUATING
CREATE
Bloom's
Definition
Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, basic concepts and answers.
Demonstrate understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, translating, interpreting, giving descriptions, and stating main ideas.
Solve problems to new situations by applying acquired knowledge, facts, techniques and rules in a different way.
Examine and break information into parts by identifying motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations.
Present and defend opinions by making judgments about information, validity of ideas, or quality of work based on a set of criteria.
Compile information together in a different way by combining elements in a new pattern or proposing alternative solutions.
Verbs
• Choose
• Define
• Find
• How
• Label
• List
• Match
• Name
• Omit
• Recall
• Relate
• Select
• Show
• Spell
• Tell
• What
• When
• Where
• Which
• Who
• Why
• Classify
• Compare
• Contrast
• Demonstrate
• Explain
• Extend
• Illustrate
• Infer
• Interpret
• Outline
• Relate
• Rephrase
• Show
• Summarize
• Translate
• Apply
• Build
• Choose
• Construct
• Develop
• Experiment with
• Identify
• Interview
• Make use of
• Model
• Organize
• Plan
• Select
• Solve
• Utilize
• Analyze
• Assume
• Categorize
• Classify
• Compare
• Conclusion
• Contrast
• Discover
• Dissect
• Distinguish
• Divide
• Examine
• Function
• Inference
• Inspect
• List
• Motive
• Relationships
• Simplify
• Survey
• Take part in
• Test for
• Theme
• Agree
• Appraise
• Assess
• Award
• Choose
• Compare
• Conclude
• Criteria
• Criticize
• Decide
• Deduct
• Defend
• Determine
• Disprove
• Estimate
• Evaluate
• Explain
• Importance
• Influence
• Interpret
• Judge
• Justify
• Mark
• Measure
• Opinion
• Perceive
• Prioritize
• Prove
• Rate
• Recommend
• Rule on
• Select
• Support
• Value
• Adapt
• Build
• Change
• Choose
• Combine
• Compile
• Compose
• Construct
• Create
• Delete
• Design
• Develop
• Discuss
• Elaborate
• Estimate
• Formulate
• Happen
• Imagine
• Improve
• Invent
• Make up
• Maximize
• Minimize
• Modify
• Original
• Originate
• Plan
• Predict
• Propose
• Solution
• Solve
• Suppose
• Test
• Theory
Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing, Abridged Edition. Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Getting Started with Funding: Giving Portals

Educational Nonprofits provide learning opportunities and resources for individuals or communities. These organizations may provide educational programs, materials, or services. After-school programs, tutoring and mentoring programs, scholarship foundations, and organizations that provide educational resources for under-served communities are a few examples.

Our Grant Guide helps educational nonprofits find funders who want to support their work and community. It includes funders from foundations and corporations who support youth and young adult programming nationwide.

Finding funding for your nonprofit can be a daunting task. However, with a lot of preparation and a little guidance, your organization can partner with funders to deliver meaningful programs to those who need it most.

What is Planned Giving?

Planned Giving (aka Legacy Giving) Programs are put in place to solicit and manage donations from financial or estate plans. Planned giving lets donors set a schedule to leave money or assets to a nonprofit, both during their lifetimes and after death in their will.

Vocabulary

Bequest A bequest is a gift made to a nonprofit in a donor’s will. Bequests are received by a nonprofit after the donor has passed and their will is executed.

Bequest Intention This is the donor’s notice that they intend to make a planned gift. This is not legally binding, but it means a nonprofit can expect the future donation and the planned giving officer can thank these donors.

Bequest Expectancy The approximate value of future planned gifts based on previous planned gifts made to a nonprofit. Bequest expectancy can help with business planning and budgeting for a planned giving program.

Non-Cash Assets This is a gift that is not cash. Planned gifts and legacy giving can also be donated through stocks, life insurance policies, retirement accounts or property.

Sample Planned Giving Programs

Funder | Aldi Smart Kids

Due Date(s): March 1st – December 15th each year

Funding Range: $100 - $5,000

Focus: Food Security, Arts and Education, Athletics and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)

Region(s): search Aldi’s markets

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Aldi Smart Kids supports organizations that make a positive impact on our kids' health and well-being.

Through ALDI Cares Community Grants, we partner with nonprofit organizations that make a positive impact on Children’s Health & Wellness and Food Insecurity while supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs. Whether your mission is to support children through education, arts, athletics or addressing food insecurity in your local community, we encourage you to apply for support from ALDI Cares Community Grants.

Funder | Coco-Cola Foundation

Due Date(s): rolling deadline

Funding Range: not listed

Focus: Humanitarian Aid, Sustainable Communities, Education and Youth Development, Social Justice, Coronavirus Response

Region(s): United States and around the world

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants to support sustainable community initiatives around the world.

Their environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives are anchored by their purpose — to refresh the world and make a difference. The foundation is committed to creating a more sustainable business and better shared future, that makes a difference in people’s lives, communities and the planet

Funder | Constellation Energy

Grant Opportunity: Constellation’s Community Champions Grant Program

Due Date(s): May 15, 2025

Funding Range: Up to $ 500

Focus: Education, Environment, Youth

Region(s): Texas, Georgia, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wyoming and Washington, D.C.

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Through the Community Champions program, Constellation customers can apply for grants up to $500 for causes that are important to their communities. Extra consideration will be given to those requests where the project, organization, or initiative focuses on education, environment, or youth. Since its inception, they have awarded nearly 2,500 community projects. Some examples of causes supported through the program include:

  • School science fair

  • Community tree planting

  • Mentoring program

  • Library/recreation center makeover

  • Youth sports

Funder | Costco Charitable Giving

Due Date(s): rolling deadline

Funding Range: up to 10% of a program budget

Focus: Children, Education, and Health and Human Services

Region(s): search Costco markets

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Costco focuses on supporting charitable programs and community activities in the markets where we do business. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focusing on children, education, and/or health and human services are eligible to apply for consideration, regardless of their distance from our locations.

Funder | The Dyson Foundation

Grant Opportunity:

Due Date: Feb 15 (Letter of Inquiry); Mar 30 (Full Proposal)

Focus: Youth after-school and summer activities

Region(s):  Mid-Hudson Valley counties of Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, and Ulster in New York State.

Funding Range: $3,000 and up

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Dyson Foundation considers grants for out-of-school time programs including after-school, summer, and year-round activities.

Funder | H.B. Fuller

Grant Opportunity: North America STEM and Youth Leadership Grants

Due Date: March 1-31 and August 1-31

Funding Range: $5,000 - $10,000

Focus: STEM Education Initiatives, Leadership Development for Youth

Region(s): Atlanta, Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Michigan Center, Michigan; Paducah, Kentucky; Peabody, Massachusetts; Rexdale, Ontario; Simpsonville, South Carolina; South Bend, Indiana; and Vancouver, Washington.

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: H.B. Fuller’s philanthropic vision is to help young people grow into productive, successful adults. Grants are strategically focused in two areas: STEM education – youth education initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM); and leadership development for youth – organizations and programs that help young people become successful, productive adults.

Funder | National Endowment for the Arts

Grant Opportunity: NEA Our Town

Due Date: August each year

Funding Range: $25,000 - $150,000

Focus: Arts Engagement, Cultural Planning, Design, Artist and Creative Industry Support

Region(s): United States

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Our Town is the NEA’s creative placemaking grants program. Through project-based funding, the program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities. Our Town projects advance local economic, physical, or social outcomes in communities, ultimately laying the groundwork for systems change and centering equity.

These projects require a partnership between a local government entity and nonprofit organization, one of which must be a cultural organization; and should engage in partnership with other sectors (e.g., agriculture and food, economic development, education and youth, environment and energy, health, housing, public safety, transportation, workforce development).

Funder | Many Hands

Grant Opportunity: Impact or Partner Grants

Due Date: January 2025

Focus: Economic Empowerment, Education, Heath, Housing

Region(s): District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia

Funding Range: Up to $ 100,000

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: Many Hands has granted more than $2.25 million to nonprofit organizations serving women, children, and families in socioeconomic need in the Washington, DC area.

Funder | Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

Due Date(s): May 10th and November 10th each year

Funding Range: $1,000 - $20,000

Focus: Museums, Performing Arts, Job Readiness, Youth Services, Senior Services, Disability Care, Health Clinics, Community Services, Wildlife and Environmental Conservation, PreK-12 Education, Vocational & Trade Education, Higher Education

Region(s): United States

Learn More: Apply Online

Overview: The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation awards grants to organizations for which a small amount of money might make a large difference. The Foundation welcomes requests for support from community-based, non-profit organizations based in the United States.

This foundation supports for museums, cultural, performing, and visual arts programs, schools, hospitals, educational and skills training projects, programs for youth, seniors, and people who are handicapped, environmental and wildlife protection activities, and other community-based organizations and their programs.