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Fundraising in Rural Communities

Fundraising in Rural Communities. Webinar by Sandy Barber Executive Director Fannin County Children’s Center. About me…. Sandy Barber 13 years - Executive Director Fannin County Children’s Center Bonham, TX CASA & CAC Budget has grown from $160,00 to $350,000 5 full time staff

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Fundraising in Rural Communities

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  1. Fundraising in Rural Communities Webinar by Sandy Barber Executive Director Fannin County Children’s Center

  2. About me… • Sandy Barber • 13 years - Executive Director • Fannin County Children’s Center • Bonham, TX • CASA & CAC • Budget has grown from $160,00 to $350,000 • 5 full time staff • 11 board members (up to 16)

  3. Please ask questions… • Post questions as we go • We will have time for questions at the end, too

  4. Fundraising in Rural Communities • Limited resources (fewer & smaller corporations and foundations) • Limited staff & board (i.e. no development director) • Limited media sources • Key to fundraising = building relationships

  5. Fundraising Plan • Written plan – update annually • Include: • All of the ways you get money • Who is responsible for doing what • Deadlines • Goals • Stewardship activities • Calendar

  6. Calendar • Include: • Grant deadlines • Special events – planning meetings, sponsor solicitation, publicity, invitations, other major tasks • Trainings • Fairs, festivals • Volunteer appreciation event • Anything that will keep your staff extra busy

  7. Fundraising Plan • Strive to diversify funding sources • Avoid donor fatigue • Evaluate current events & strategies • Help decide on new ideas • Assist when transition in leadership

  8. Special Events • Find your signature event • Justice Is Served • CASAs for CASA (playhouses) • CASAblanca • Cowboys for CASA • Clay shoot • Golf tournament • Chocolate Indulgence

  9. Special Events • Evaluate event • How much money raised? • How much staff & board time? • Increase visibility? • Recruit volunteers? • Other benefits or drawbacks?

  10. Board involvement • Be specific of what needs to be done • Write it down • Example forms: • JIS Sponsor Solicitation • JIS Sponsor Form • JIS Auction Form • JIS Timeline • JIS Server Schedule

  11. Sponsor Solicitation List • Include past giving history = make informed ask • Board assignments – have meeting and ask who wants to ask who • In subsequent years, allow people to change who they ask • Each year brainstorm new prospects • Create in Excel – sort by donor, sort by board

  12. Sponsor Solicitation List • Create goal chart • Break down the big goal into little goals

  13. Sponsor & Auction Forms • Give copies to all board members • Post on website • Helps board members to have info they need when asking • Helps get info needed from donor • As forms are returned, enter info into sponsor log and auction log

  14. Auction Log • Keep track of items – use note column for who will be picking up or delivering it to you or when received • Use mail merge to print bid sheets • After auction, enter winning bids – makes it easier to evaluate what does well and what doesn’t in your auction • Next year, auction committee reviews log, plans who to ask for what - use note column to write asker’s name & do in Excel so can sort by asker’s & donor names

  15. Event Timeline • List briefly all tasks that need to be done (save it on computer, to use each year) • Include timeframe & deadline • Include who is responsible • Check off when done • Review it regularly (Executive Director & Committee Chair)

  16. Event Work Assignments • Create a chart – work assignments for board and staff • Think of people’s talents & skills & match accordingly • Examples • outgoing, friendly people sell raffle tickets • quieter people greet with programs • good handwriting do nametags, etc. • Include times, try to rotate to give breaks • Include floaters (usually ED, Board President & Event Chair) • Remind people: be flexible, adjust accordingly

  17. Direct Mail Campaign • Board involvement: • Hand address envelopes & include personal notes • Give written directions & samples of what to say • Send to their friends, family, other contacts = help grow the agency donor base

  18. Stewardship • Handwritten thank you notes • Phone calls from board members • Photos! • Mail prints with thank you notes • Framed photo collage, hand delivered by board member • Be creative & resourceful • Fresh flower centerpieces at event Saturday night can become thank you gift to sponsors on Monday

  19. Communications • Make sure donors hear from you when you are NOT asking for money or volunteers • Share your news in multiple channels • Website • Media coverage • Mailed newsletters (2-4 times a year) • Email newsletters (monthly?) • Social media (3-7 times a week)

  20. Social Media • Post photos of auction items • Donor recognition • Announce special events, ticket sales, etc • Post event photos (be timely & allow tags) • Announce results of events • early estimates within 24-48 hours • actual amounts later • Results includes both money raised and number in attendance

  21. Questions? Sandy Barber sandy@fanninccc.org (903) 583-4339

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