| It is the burning question of every nonprofit | | | | organization's efforts. Need, on the other |
| organization: "How do we get funding?" With the | | | | hand...well, right now everyone has needs. Paint a |
| economy in the dumps, and recovery looking like | | | | picture instead. |
| it's a long way off, this question screams for an | | | | Accomplishments. Nothing attracts people like a |
| answer. In fact, we get more requests from our | | | | winner. What has your organization accomplished? |
| newsletter subscribers for articles on funding than | | | | Let people know about it. That is really true when |
| just about any other topic. The purpose of this | | | | pursuing grant opportunities. People are not as |
| article is to do just that, but maybe not like you | | | | likely to give to plans as they are to helping you |
| expect. | | | | do more of what you have already done. |
| I could present an article on the how-to of bake | | | | Reliability. You must be able to show your |
| sales or silent auctions or raffles. I could lay out, | | | | potential donors that your organization is properly |
| point-by-point, the best method for putting on a | | | | structured, has good governance and that it is |
| first-class consignment sale or Spring Fling carnival. | | | | operating in compliance with governmental |
| I could wax eloquent about the best practices of | | | | regulations. If not, you will have difficulty |
| grant writing. But for now, I would rather | | | | projecting a posture of trustworthiness. If people |
| challenge you to think about the bigger picture. I | | | | do not have confidence that their donations are |
| believe it will provide a much better environment | | | | going to be used wisely, and by an organization |
| for specific ideas to flourish. | | | | that takes things seriously enough to follow the |
| So, what does it take to get funding? Let's look | | | | rules, they will not give. Period. |
| at several, key concepts. | | | | Motivated leadership. It all starts at the top. If |
| Purpose. First and foremost, your organization | | | | those who are leading the organization are not |
| must have a compelling purpose...one that | | | | fully engaged, why should anyone want to |
| resonates with the public, or at least with that | | | | support your efforts? This concept goes back to |
| segment of the public that shares your passion. | | | | a point I have made in other articles: Never, ever |
| Without this, you simply will not attract dollars. | | | | have a "place holder" board. Make sure your |
| There is a persistent and, frankly, bizarre notion in | | | | board members are motivated leaders who care |
| the nonprofit community of "Build it and they will | | | | about the mission and who have something to |
| come." That is especially true regarding the pursuit | | | | contribute. And by contribute, I mean time, talent |
| of grant funding. Well, that may work well in | | | | and money...all three. People look to see if the |
| baseball movies, but not so well in the charity | | | | leadership walks the walk, or just talks the talk. |
| community. Your organization is one of literally | | | | Dogged determination. This is important at all |
| millions of projects that are competing for | | | | times. In bad times, it simply means life or death |
| someone's charitable dollar. You can conduct all | | | | to your organization. Determine to succeed. Stay |
| the cake walks you want, but if no one cares | | | | motivated. It's contagious. You cannot give up. |
| about your cause, funding is not on its way. Many | | | | Our staff could tell you story after story of |
| of you reading this are probably saying, "Well, | | | | clients we have worked with who, by all outward |
| that's not very helpful. We're already formed to | | | | appearances, could not find their way out of a |
| do what we do." That's true...and we're not saying | | | | wet paper bag, much less succeed in running a |
| you should change your purpose to something | | | | nonprofit. But they have. By sheer force of |
| more attractive. The point is this: If your purpose | | | | determination and belief in their cause, and by |
| is therapeutic arts for handicapped kids, then your | | | | surrounding themselves with competent help, they |
| ability to attract a broad base of support is many | | | | made it happen. We have also seen the opposite: |
| times greater than if your purpose is to operate | | | | people who should have hit a home run, only to |
| an injured skunk rescue. If yours is the injured | | | | strike out because of neglecting one or more of |
| skunk rescue, then you need to be realistic about | | | | these issues. |
| your lack of mass appeal and be extra aggressive | | | | Getting these prerequisites nailed down will put |
| in finding like-minded donors. | | | | your nonprofit in a place where it can legitimately |
| Vision. People give to vision, not need. They sound | | | | begin to explore creative means of raising |
| the same, but they are not. Vision paints a picture | | | | support. Failure to pay attention to these items |
| of a better situation that results from your | | | | will doom any fundraising effort in the long run. |