May
2008 E-bulletin
FEATURE ARTICLE
Fundraising
- Do Board Members Have a Role?
RELATED
RESOURCES
Fundraising
books and websites
TIPS
& TOOLS
Improve
Your Chance of Securing Donations
SPECIAL
EVENTS
Effective Community Fundraising workshop in The Pas
Engaging YGen Volunteers - Seminar Series
ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Proposals now accepted through Welcoming Communities MB Initiative
2. HR Council Releases Non-Profit Sector Labour Force Study
3. CONTACT reaches half a million queries
4. Dialogue on "Giving" in Community
FEATURE
ARTICLE
Fundraising - Do Board Members Have a Role?
by:
Tracy Douglass
" I don't do fundraising." Asking Board members to help fundraise often results in hearing this respons. Most likely it is because they do not understand the different ways that they can participate in the overall fundraising strategy. Education and discussion about the variety of ways board members can and are expected to participate is needed.
Start by identifying the different ways that board
members can participate. Participation can fall into
many different categories. Susan Horvath, CFRE, in
her presentation Board and Senior Volunteer Involvement,
suggests the following ways board members can participate:
adding credibility through use of the board member's
name, being ambassadors through public presentations,
introduce and enhance relationships with donors, give
personally, solicit donations from personal contacts,
or solicit donations from an organizational list of
prospective donors.
Other methods of participation are: assisting in developing
the fund development strategy, helping organize a
fundraising event, and providing good governance through
oversight and policies of transparency.
Instead of selling tickets and asking for money, board
members could send thank you letters to donors, recruit
volunteer fundraisers, provide a list of their personal
contacts, write the solicitation script, research
prospective donors, or evaluate the fundraising event
or campaign after it is complete.
By getting board members involved in some part of
the entire fundraising process, they will then become
more comfortable with seeing themselves as "doing
fundraising". Simone P. Joyaux, CFRE says "Getting
yourself to overcome any anxiety of fund development
will not only involve you in less threatening tasks,
but will also, in time, move you closer to the very
act that you feared the most - asking people for money."
(Fundraising for Board Members & Volunteers -
A How-To Manual)
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RELATED
RESOURCES
Fundraising
books and websites
Volunteer Manitoba has the following books available for lending:
Fund Raising for Board Members & Volunteers (Stevenson
Consultants) - A how-to manual full of tips, forms,
and practical guidance from expert fundraisers.
Fundraiser's Phrase Book (Gail Hamilton) - Thousands
of phrases to help you when you are writing proposals,
newsletters, grant applications, speeches, etc. A
great resource when you just can't find the right
words yourself.
How to Produce Fabulous Fundraising Events (Betty
Stallings & Donna McMillion) - Select the right
fundraising event for your organization, follow the
step-by-step guide to producing events, effectively
manage and recognize your event volunteers, and create
a plan and budget to ensure success.
Understanding Canadian Donors (Norah McClintock) -
An analysis of the 2000 survey of Giving, Volunteering,
and Participating, plus tips and suggestions on how
to use this information to help build your fundraising
program.
Venture Forth! The Essential Guide to Starting a Moneymaking
Business in Your Nonprofit Organization (Rolfe Larson)
- a complete guide for finding, testing and lauching
a successful nonprofit business venture.
To lend these books contact Jody Corriveau, our Resource
Coordinator, by calling (204) 477-5180 ext. 223, toll-free
1-888-922-4545 ext. 223 or vmresource@mts.net.
Additional websites:
www.fundraising-newsletters.com/ . - A free newsletter
with fundraising ideas, tips, and secrets for the
small nonprofit fundraiser
www.fundraisingbooklets.com/ - Free, complete
how-to fundraising guides for various fundraisers
from chocolate bars to scratch tickets to magazines,
with hints, tips, and secrets specific to each fundraiser.
Each booklet follows the same format for ease of use,
yet is not repetitive. They even take the time to
research all the fundraising suppliers and hand pick
the best one for the job.
www.charityvillage.com/guide . - Charity Village has pulled together their growing
collection of information about fundraising management
and marketing, prospect research, corporate partnerships,
special events and much more.
www.guidestar.org/news/features/fired_up_board.jsp - An article providing tips to increase your board members' enthusiasm for fundraising.
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TIPS
& TOOLS
Improve Your Chance of Securing Donations
excerpts
from "Understanding Canadian Donors" by
Norah McClintock
Using
findings from the National Survey of Giving, Volunteering,
and Participating several key barriers have been found
to making donations and some suggestions for fundraisers
to improve their chances of securing donations. Norah
McClintock writes:
1. 65% of donors and 63% of non-donors felt there
were so many organizations asking for money that,
in the end, they sometimes didn't feel like giving
to any of them at all. You should target your approaches
primarily to those who are the most likely to have
an affinity for your cause. People are generally more
open to receiving information and a request for support
from a cause they care about.
2. 44% of donors said that they thought their donations
would not be used efficiently. Provide information
about what your organization has accomplished in the
past. Outline concrete plans for the funds you are
seeking to raise.
3.Practice full disclosure. This will help to address
concerns that "too much money is spent on administration
or fundraising". Make your annual report and
financial statements to donors. Disclose how much
is spent on programs, and how much on administration
and fundraising.
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SPECIAL
EVENTS
Effective
Community Fundraising workshops
in The Pas
From bake sales and auctions to raffles and ticket
sales community groups have done it all when it comes
to raising funds. An integrated approach to fundraising
is essential for organizations to thrive and survive.
Participate in this workshop and learn how to evaluate
your fundraising ideas to ensure the outcome is worth
the effort. Hear examples of successful fundraising
strategies and come prepared to share your fundraising
success stories with others.
For information or to register call 1-888-922-4545
ext. 221
or download the registration form:
The Pas, May 28- click
here...
Engaging YGen Volunteers - Seminar Series
Learn about the motivations and expectations of volunteers under the age of 30. Learn how to incorporate and engage this age group and benefit from their enthusiasm and ideas. Three seminars wil be offered this June to help you start recruiting YGen volunteers this fall.
June 5 - Getting Ready
June 12 - Youth Friendly Recruitment Process
June 19 - Retention Strategies
All seminars are held in Winnipeg, 12pm - 1pm and are $10 each. Payment is at the door but you must pre-register.
For information or to register call 477-5180 or download
the form - click here...
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ANNOUNCEMENTS
Proposals now accepted through Welcoming Communities Manitoba Initiative
Manitoba Labour & Immigration is now accepting Expressions of Interest in submitting proposals under its Welcoming Communities Manitoba Initiative. This initiative was launched to promote and strengthen participation of new immigrants in civit society and foster more inclusive and welcoming communities for new immigrants.
For information
