Funding/Grant Writing Manual

Transcription

1 1 Funding/Grant Writing Manual Press Release Template*. Pg. 2 Tips for Writing a Press Release.Pg. 2 Sample Press Release...Pg. 3 Writing a Fundraising Letter...Pg. 4 Fundraising Letter Template*.Pg. 5 Fundraising Tips...Pg. 6 Grant Resources*... Pg. 7-9 Common Grant Applications...Pg. 10 Grant Writing & Proposal Tips.Pg. 11 Grant Writing Helpful Links...Pg. 12 Thanking Donors...Pg. 13 Sample Thank You Cards (Post Card Format)*.. Pg. 14 *All of these resources are available on our website: Click on Agency Tools & then click on Resources

2 Press Release Template 2 Below is a basic template to follow for putting a basic press release together. CONTACT INFORMATION: Make sure to include contact name, phone number, and address for your readers to use if they require more information. This can go either at the top or the bottom of the press release. HEADLINE: Your headline should include keywords and must grab the Media s attention. Your headline should succinctly describe the advisory some media members search only by headlines. SUBHEAD: Not all releases need one, but if you're going to use one, make sure it's descriptive and builds on the headline DATELINE: Includes the city of origin, and the date of the release. LEAD PARAGRAPH: This is the single most important paragraph in the whole release. If you don't draw your reader in here, you've lost them forever. This is your chance to set up your story in a single sentence or two. SECOND PARAGRAPH: This is where you dive into more detail and set up story for the reader, giving some more background or context. BODY: This is where you give all the relevant information for your reader, facts, stats, customer testimonials and other third-party information. Write with your audience in mind. BOILERPLATE: This is the platform to tell your audience about your organization. Keep it brief; just who you are and what you do. Tips for Writing a Press Release: Keep consistent with your overall marketing- include a logo if you have one. Provide contact info for follow ups- phone, cell and . Include the most relevant info first, as stories may be cut short by media. Include a call to action, like to donate, visit, to volunteer call Include, who, what, when, where, why, how. Include a boilerplate, paragraph explaining the key points of your agency. End with ### (that just lets media know, that that s it!)

3 3 Contact: Mike Lind, Director of External Relations ext. 106 Cell: HAVE YOUR HOLIDAY GIFTS WRAPPED BY FOOD BANK VOLUNTEERS Waterloo, IA ( November 29, 2012) Tis the season of giving and the Northeast Iowa Food Bank is once again offering a gift-wrapping service to shoppers of College Square Mall in Cedar Falls. Please help us this holiday season by having your gifts wrapped for a free-will donation to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. On November 23 rd, Food Bank volunteers began wrapping gifts at a gift wrapping station located in the mall s food court. The service will continue until December 24 th. To volunteer in support of the effort, call the Northeast Iowa Food Bank at or pbird@feedingamerica.org. Sign up for a volunteer shift and invite your friends, family, co-workers or church members to join you. All supplies are on hand, all we need is your help! Also remember to visit the gift wrapping station to have your gifts wrapped and help the Northeast Iowa Food Bank at the same time. In addition to monetary support, we will also accept gift wrap, boxes, and other supplies needed for the event. A special thank you goes to our co-sponsors of the event for Thank you to Oakridge Realtors and University of Iowa Community Credit Union for co-sponsoring the annual event. For more information, please call or Patrick Bird at pbird@feedingamerica.org The Northeast Iowa Food Bank provides nutritious food and grocery products, as well as hunger education, to approximately 200 nonprofit organizations who assist the hungry and individuals who need food assistance to sustain life. Last year, the Food Bank distributed more than 5.2 million pounds of food within a 16-county service area through the Cedar Valley Food Pantry, located at the warehouse site in Waterloo and other food pantries throughout 16 counties; through various programs that service hungry children and senior citizens including the BackPack Program, Kids Cafe, Elderly Nutrition Services, and other organizations who need the services of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. The Food Bank also provides for under-served communities through the Mobile Food Pantry program. The Food Bank is a member of the Iowa Food Bank Association and Feeding America. ###

4 4 Writing a Fundraising Letter Basic Donation Letter Template Donation letters are essential to any organization looking to raise funds. Whether it is a letter to an individual or a business, it is important to include all the necessary details in this type of request. All donation letters should contain the following elements: 1. Name of Organization & Contact Information 2. Date 3. Address of Donor 4. Salutation: if you know the potential donor's name, use it. If not, use something such as Dear Friend of XYZ. 5. Your Story: Show the readers why the cause matters and what benefits they gain by donating. In other words, what difference will their contribution make? 6. Ask for a Donation: Encourage the reader to make a donation by making it clear what you are asking for and how to respond. 7. Say Thank You: Always say thank you in the letter & show how grateful you will be of their donation. If they have given in the past acknowledge how their previous contributions have helped make a difference in the cause. 8. Closing 9. Signature 10. Name 11. Title

5 5 [Name of Organization] [Date] [Donor Name] [Address] Dear fill in name, It is estimated that 1 in 7 individuals living in Northeast Iowa are food insecure. They simply do not have enough food to sustain themselves. [For the above section: to find more hunger information or hunger statistics for your county, visit or Organization name is devoted to providing nutritious food and grocery products to families and individuals in need. [Expand on what your organization does] We ask that you consider supporting our cause. Organization relies on support of generous donors such as you. With a donation to our organization, you can provide food and grocery products to someone in need. We thank you for your consideration of our request, and look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Sincerely, [Handwritten Signature] [Typed Name] [Title]

6 Fundraising Tips 6 Don t be afraid to ask virtually anyone for money. Ask members of your congregation, friends, local elected officials, relatives, neighbors, co-workers, local businesspeople, and even strangers Ask different people for different amounts of money. Try to target your requests. Don t ask a middle class friend to donate the same amount you would ask from Donald Trump. The more people you ask and the more ways you ask, the more money you will get. Asking more people for more money in more ways won t guarantee you ll get it, but not asking will definitely guarantee that you won t get it. Diversify your funding sources. Try to get funding from a good mix of sources, including: individuals, elected officials, religious organizations, foundations, businesses, and government agencies. Diversify your funding methods. Try to get funding from a good mix of methods, including: personal meetings, grants, direct mail, collections at services or events, requests, phone solicitations, and special fundraising events. A piece of paper should always be followed by a personal, human contact. If you send someone a letter or a printed invitation, you should follow-up with a personal meeting or phone call whenever possible. Create and follow a fundraising plan. Create a master fundraising plan specifying what type of methods you will use, how much you intend to make from each effort, specific targets for people and entities and target amounts for each person and entity, as well as concrete deadlines for each task. Get your paperwork, budgetary, and accounting house in order. If you want to obtain significant grants from government agencies, foundations, or corporations, you generally need to following readily available: a letter from the IRS proving your non-profit status; a recent audit conducted by an independent certified public accountant; a list of your board of directors; and a total organizational budget for both last year and this year, as well as a specific budget for the project for which you are requesting funding. Carefully match your grant requests with the mission of your organization and program. No matter how great your program is, don t waste your time and energy applying for funds for programs clearly outside your actual work. Rapidly and profusely thank all donors and then ask them for more money. The largest and most consistent contributions will come from people who have previously given you money.

7 7 Grant Resources Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa Website: Description: This website has many grant resources and a list of community foundations within Northeast Iowa. About the Community Foundation of NE Iowa The Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa is a leading voice and catalyst for connecting donors, nonprofit organizations, professional advisors, community leaders and other partners to inspire charitable giving and improve the quality of life in communities across the state. Affiliates Headquartered in Black Hawk County, the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa (CFNEIA) is pleased to serve Waterloo, Cedar Falls and all the communities in Black Hawk County, in addition to serving as the host foundation for 27 other county and community affiliates across northern and eastern Iowa. Each affiliate has a local governing committee representing their geographic area to promote endowment building, community grantmaking, organizational collaboration and public leadership with professional assistance from CFNEIA staff. Role of a Community Foundation Community foundations have several specific functions within their allocated community. These are their main characteristics: Give out grants in support of development projects Improve the quality of life within their community To serve the community whether this is a city, a state, a region, a district or a province They are supported by a broad spectrum of both private and public donors with the majority of their contributions coming from inside the community They are each governed by local boards which are chosen to reflect the community they serve They build capital endowment as an important method of sustainability Community Foundation Locator Website: Description: This website provides a list of community foundations by state. About Community Foundations Community Foundations (sometimes referred to simply as CF s) are organizations which serve to co-ordinate investments and give out grants within the community, generally within a specific geographical area.

8 8 The Foundation Center Website: Description: This website has many foundation profiles for you to search through. It also has some training programs. You can subscribe on-line for a fee, purchase texts, get training, or you can use the free foundation finder. About the Foundation Center Established in 1956 and today supported by close to 550 foundations, the Foundation Center is the leading source of information about philanthropy worldwide. Through data, analysis, and training, it connects people who want to change the world to the resources they need to succeed. The Center maintains the most comprehensive database on U.S. and, increasingly, global grant makers and their grants a robust, accessible knowledge bank for the sector. It also operates research, education, and training programs designed to advance knowledge of philanthropy at every level. Thousands of people visit the Center's web site each day and are served in its five regional library/learning centers and its network of 470 funding information centers located in public libraries, community foundations, and educational institutions nationwide and beyond. The Grantsmanship Center Website: Description: This website provides a list of local funding sources, which include Top Grantmaking Foundations by State, Corporate Giving Programs by State, Community Foundations by State, and State Government Homepages. To access the funding resources in Iowa, click on Funding Sources. This website also provides many grant writing resources and training programs for a membership fee. About the Grantsmanship Center Whether you re new to grants or want to sharpen your skills, The Grantsmanship Center s training gives you the solid know-how to succeed. The Grantsmanship Center offers five training programs: The Grantsmanship Training Program Essential Grant Skills Competing for Federal Grants Research Proposal Workshop Social Enterprise for Nonprofits

9 9 Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (Giving Circle Directory) About Giving Circles: Giving Circles are a form of philanthropy consisting of groups of individuals who pool their funds and other resources to donate to their communities and seek to increase their awareness and engagement in the process of giving. Find a giving circle in your state that funds programs like yours: About the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers The Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers (the Forum) is a national philanthropic leader and a network of 34 regional associations of grantmakers. It supports philanthropy by strengthening the ability of all regional associations to fulfill their missions. GrantSpace Website: Description: This is a service of The Foundation Center. It provides training in addition to sample grants, forums, and chat rooms. About GrantSpace GrantSpace is a service of the Foundation Center, offers information and resources that are specifically designed to meet the needs of nonprofits worldwide in need of know-how for securing funding and operating effective organizations. At GrantSpace, you can: View video recordings of live discussions with funders Listen to podcasts featuring experts in the field Find answers to your questions in our Knowledge Base Connect with an information professional Get information about opportunities in your field of interest Increase your expertise in fundraising and management Attend training and events, in-person and online Find us at one of our 460+ free funding information centers GrantStation Website: Description: A membership organization that offers links to funding sources, training, and resources to nonprofits. About GrantStation GrantStation.com, Inc. (GrantStation) offers nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor these organizations through the grant-seeking process. GrantStation provides access to a searchable database of private grant-makers that accept inquiries and proposals from a variety of organizations; federal deadlines; links to state funding agencies; and a growing database of international grant-makers.

10 10 Common Grant Applications Common Grant Application Website: Description: The Common Grant Application can save time, money, effort, and improve the overall quality and experience of the grant seeking process. The website service is completely free to grantseekers. The Common Grant Application offers the following benefits: Saves time and money Improves efficiency Improves transparency and visibility Improves communication and collaboration Improves the grantmaking experience Associated Grant Makers- Common Proposal Form Website: Description: The AGM Common Proposal Form has been developed to make the grant application process easier for both grantmakers and grantseekers. This website has templates for five different forms including- The cover sheet, proposal summary, full proposal narrative, diversity data form, and budget form. Foundation Center- Common Grant Application Website: Description: The common grant application format has been adopted by groups of grantmakers to allow grant applicants to produce a single proposal for a specific community of funders, thereby saving time. Before applying to any funder that accepts a common grant application form, be sure to check that your project matches the funder's stated interests, and ascertain whether the funder would prefer a letter of inquiry in advance of receiving a proposal. Also be sure to check whether the funder has a deadline for proposals, as well as whether it requires multiple copies of your proposal.

11 Grant Writing & Proposal Tips 11 Proposal Contents Cover Letter Title page and table of contents Executive summary (1 page) Statement of need Goals and objectives Cost of project & amount requested Background of your organization Narrative Statement of Need Problem/issue to be addressed Audience/community Supporting facts & statistics Project description Goals Objectives Methods Staffing Evaluation Sustainability Organization information Mission & history Programs Board and staff Conclusion Budget Expenses Income Budget narrative Appendices and supporting materials IRS determination letter Financial documents Board and staff Supporting materials What funders want: To give away their money A good fit with their priorities Creative solutions Measurable results, efficiency, and accountability A plan for sustainability Other funders A well-written proposal A relationship What you need to know: What types of grants do they make? What is their field of interest? Are there geographic restrictions? What is their schedule? What size grants do they give and for how long? Do you have any connections? What is the initial approach? Tips Allow time Follow funder s guidelines Talk to the funder if possible Brainstorm and make an outline Give to an outside reader Assure timely delivery

12 Helpful Links 12 Feeding America Website: Description: The Feeding America website is a great resource to find hunger facts and statistics to help with grant proposals. It includes four sections of hunger information: Hunger Facts, Hunger in Your Community, Impact of Hunger, and Hunger Studies. Map the Meal Gap Study: This hunger study provides an interactive map that shows food insecurity rates by state and county. Northeast Iowa Food Bank Website: Description: The Northeast Iowa Food Bank Website provides facts and statistics about food insecurity, hunger in America, and childhood hunger. University of Wisconsin-Madison Libraries Website: Description: This website offers information on Federal Funding Proposals and Non-Governmental Funding Proposals. It also has many links to different web sites that offer excellent guidelines for grant proposal writing. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Website: Description: This website has information on developing and writing a grant proposal. Minnesota Council on Foundations Website: Description: The article "Writing a Successful Grant Proposal" gives an excellent overview of the key components of a grant proposal with tips on how to present your case effectively. Click on Download Writing a Successful Grant Proposal to view the article. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting Website: Description: The Corporation for Public Broadcasting evaluates hundreds of proposals each year for a variety of programming and consulting projects. Their website offers an easy guide to the basic elements of grant proposal writing. It also offers guideposts to help you through each stage of the process. These guideposts are transferable to a variety of grant applications. Congressional Research Service Reports for the People Website: Description: This report is intended for Members and staff assisting grant seekers in districts and states and covers writing proposals for both government and private foundations grants. Click on Download Report to view the article.

13 Thanking Donors 13 Thank Your Donors: Share recent progress & show your donors what you re doing with their support Your donors want to know that they matter. Tell them some of the progress that your pantry or community meal has made with their support or donation. For example: Because of your donation to our pantry, we were able to purchase more food and serve more families and individuals this last month. Because of your donation to our pantry, we were able to purchase much needed shelving for our storage area. Because of your donation to our community meal, we were able to provide more hot meals to hungry families and individuals in our area. Other ways to thank your donors: Phone call Letter In Person Send a photo or video of your work Tell a specific story of how your donor s gift is making a difference Invite your donor to tour your facility and meet the people you serve Invite your donor to volunteer at a pantry shift or community meal night

14 Sample 3 & 4 Sample 2 Sample 1 14 (Post Card Format. Actual Size 4.25 X 5.5 ) Front Write a personal thank you note! Back Front Back Post card format backside for each of the above samples