What is the major overriding issue facing all non-profits? Fundraising! How do you raise the needed funds to meet the stated objectives of your organization?
A few months ago, I attended an event sponsored by The Center for Non-Profit Advancement.
One of the several excellent presentations was “Diversifying Your Funding Sources”. The main argument was that non-profits depend upon only 1 or 2 sources for the majority of their income and that other sources should be identified or created.
Below is a list of potential sources that were discussed:
- Individuals – Have you identified key individuals who can support the organization annually?
- Local Businesses – What businesses benefit or could benefit from the services that your organization provides?
- Government (Federal, State, County, City) – Have you built a relationship with key officials and let them know how you can help their constituents?
- Foundation Support – Have you identified Foundations that provide grants to organizations like yours?
- Memberships – Have you or can you offer a monthly or annual membership to create on-going revenue for your organization?
- Products/Publishing – Can your organization create and offer books, tapes, CD’s, DVD’s, workshops or courses to raise funds?
- Licensing Fees – Does your organization have or can it create a product or service that can be licensed to other organization in exchange for a recurring fee.
- Fees for Service – Does your organization have or can it create a seminar or workshop that can be sold to other organizations?
- Special Events – Does your organization have a Calendar of Special Events to invite the community to and to raise funds with?
- Grant Writer Services – Do you have a access to a Grant Writer or a grant writer on staff who can research and write grant responses?
- Partnerships – Are there partnerships that you can develop with other non-profits to respond to larger grants that may be available?
Hopefully this information helps you and your organization develop new funding sources.
If I can help you with any of these ideas, give me a call at 240-356-5050. I’d love to talk with you.
