Читать книгу Nonprofit Kit For Dummies - Stan Hutton, Beverly A. Browning - Страница 24

Nearly every nonprofit organization depends on generous donors for the cash it needs to pay its bills and provide its services. Even if you have income from ticket sales, admission charges, or contracted services, you’ll find that raising additional money is necessary to keep your organization alive and thriving.

Corporate contributions are the largest source of contributed income to nonprofit organizations. But you can’t just sit and wait by the mailbox for the donations to begin arriving. How will contributors even know that your new nonprofit is up and running, providing services? Two basic rules of fundraising are that potential funders need to be asked for donations and thanked after giving one. Chapter 15 focuses on raising money from individuals, Chapter 16 covers raising money with special events, and Chapter 19 discusses campaign fundraising, which is used when you need to raise extra money for your building or your endowment.

Grants from foundations and corporations make up a smaller percentage of giving to nonprofits, but their support can be invaluable for start-up project costs, equipment, technical support, and sometimes general operating costs. Some organizations get most of their income from foundation grants; others get very little. Chapter 17 introduces you to resources to help you find potential grant sources. Chapter 18 walks you through the process of crafting a grant proposal.

Fundraising works better if people know you exist. That knowledge also helps draw people to your theater or to sign up for your programs. Here’s where marketing and public relations enter the picture. Chapter 13 helps you figure out what your message should be and how to circulate it to the world.

Make no mistake about it: Fundraising is hard work. But if you approach the task with a positive attitude and make your case well, you can find the resources you need.