Strategies for Fundraising and Corporate Partnerships National Military Spouse Network Conference October 17, 2016 Presenter: Renette Oklewicz

Key Ingredients for Successful Fundraising Visionary Leadership Effective Programs Solid Organizational Capacity Diverse Relationships

Building a Reputable Nonprofit Highly-valued programs delivered by competent staff working to achieve defined outcomes Led by an energetic, resourceful and engaging executive director Supported by a diverse, involved and talented board Well-managed organization and financial structure Diverse funding strategy Broad brand awareness Strong community partnerships and relationships

Your Approach to Funding Develop a balanced funding model Majority of funding is derived from individuals Seek out local and regional foundations and businesses Research the funder’s priorities Tailor your approach to each funder Use relationships to open doors

Funding Sources Foundations Businesses Individuals Events

Foundations Build a relationship with the grant officer Find an internal connection Examine their grant portfolio Be enthusiastic, make your case for meeting their goals Ask them for guidance about seeking funding Attend funder workshops Follow proposal guidelines Find programmatic synergy – be flexible Follow-up – build a relationship

Government Funding Local, state and federal grant opportunities Arduous proposal and demanding reporting process Seek out partnerships with other nonprofits Meet with government representatives Talk with your fellow nonprofits Hire a professional grant writer with expertise in crafting government proposals – can be very costly

Individual Donors Individuals are the greatest source of sustainable funding reaching 72% of all donations Engaging individual donors takes time, money and hard work Board of directors Staff Volunteers Build an individual donor fundraising goal and strategy Consistently support your donors – build relationships Benevon model

A Business Nonprofit Partnership is a Win-Win If there’s a single mistake behind the majority of failed partnership attempts, it’s this. Too many non-profits approach companies with their cause in mind, rather than explaining how working together will help the corporation.

Approaching a Business Understand their business drivers - position a partnership as a benefit rather than a burden Strengthens goodwill in the community Attracts customers Supports employee pride, satisfaction and loyalty Show the corporation how working together will increase their customer community engagement Celebrate the corporation’s social impact earning customer loyalty, goodwill and sales Design a role for leadership in your partnership efforts Use metrics to justify the cost to the leadership

Business Partnership Ideas Businesses are often looking for nonprofit partners to promote their brand and build their social responsibility reputation What you can offer: Build brand awareness: events, press conferences, website Cause-related marketing Employee volunteer opportunities Program-related services What they can offer in addition to funding: Board members Employee volunteers – web design, newsletters, HR, accounting, tech support Matching gifts and/or Dollars for Doers In-kind donations/drives

Event Fundraising More than just fundraising Builds brand awareness through promotions Offers opportunities to partner with businesses Engages volunteers, board and supporters Print and broadcast media coverage Building your brand awareness is vital to a successful fundraising strategy Take serious stock of your capacity to plan and execute an event, including raising sponsorships, selling tickets, etc.

Resources Foundations and government funding resources Foundation Center, Washington DC GrantWatch.com www.grants.gov (federal grants) DC Office of Partnerships and Grants Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships Maryland Nonprofits Other nonprofits doing similar work