1. Creating a community fundraising stream for your program
Mark H. Sobiski
Foundation Director
CareFIRST Carolina Foundation

2. “Societies are renewed by people who believe in something,
care about something,
and stand for something.”
John W. Gardner
What links us all….

3. We all know it is not easy

4. Is it a real Need or a Want?
Setting achievable goals for your program
What you NEED vs what everyone WANTS…
Get stakeholder feed back for a successful fundraising effort. Frame your questions..
Ex: What would you like to see at your congregate meal site? May be too broad
The answer to this could be popcorn or pay per view fights.
So be careful to target your needs to something that is achievable/agreeable and necessary.
Is it a real Need or a Want?

5. Getting the groundwork set up
How did we get started??
Started with $5, from our board.
Now at $240,000+ annually.
We have raised over 10 million dollars to date with buildings, patient assistance, special projects and unrestricted capital.
Board strategic planning session, What is needed? what is possible?
Making a plan to get there
Getting the groundwork set up

6. Filling a community need

7. Frame it in a way you can help clarify it
Frame it in a way you can help clarify it. for instance, if you want to help curb obesity or improve exercise…ask.
On a scale of one to 5 which would you like to have included in your day at the site?
1 – 2 – 3- 4 – 5 - Cooking classes on edible low carb foods
1 – 2 – 3- 4 – new exercise bicycles?
1 – 2 – 3- 4 – wrestling ring?
Focus your questions

8. The Fundraising Challenge
A needs assessment in most cases can be just a questionnaire that helps you to guide the conversations and build your picture of success.
Getting others to invest in your vision, what if they say NO??
The Fundraising Challenge

9. Community Support
Client Support
Local business and government support
Events and Friend raising efforts
How we started and what we learned…
Who are the other competitive programs in your area?
You may not be competing against them but they sure have you in their sights…especially for financial support.

10. Pennies make dollars….matching funds & expansion funds need to be acquired.

11. Know your supporters Who currently supports your programs?
Who are the non-traditional supporters?
Where do you see your program vision in your support materials?
There are 57 million baby boomers out there and many want to leave a legacy.
Are you inviting them to participate financially?
Know your supporters

12. Staffing your board What should be the size of the board?
How will they stay connected to the supporting organization and its mission?
What skills and community contacts should be brought to the board?
What should be the make-up of the board members?
Staffing your board

13. Outline your expectations in writing!
Let them know the time you expect will be needed to work on your board and projects.
Define your mission
Make it clear they are a prospective member and that it is up to the board to approve their application.
Have a board or advisory agreement for them to examine and sign to acknowledge their interest
Make sure you outline your expectations for the prospective board and advisory members

14. Committees: what do you need?
Governance committee
Executive committee
Development committee
Finance committee
The entire board is your fundraising committee.
THIS IS VITAL TO YOUR SUCCESS!!
Committees: what do you need?

15. Building your board…(or fundraising committee)
Community rule
80% of the work is accomplished by 20% of the community. Select community leaders that bring both strategic expertise as well as connection to your potential donor base.
Attorneys, Accountants, Bankers, Business Leaders, Real Estate experts, Financial Management Specialists, etc. (see handout)
Building your board…(or fundraising committee)

16. Critical Preparation Mission statement Strategic plan Communication
Fundraising plan
One, three , and five year plan of action
Have board members set achievable goals and participate in the process.
Stress the need for their participation in the Fundraising process!
Critical Preparation

17. Don’t get discouraged

18. Institutional Readiness
What is institutional readiness?
Institutional readiness is based on if your staff and management team can articulate your needs
They are willing to support your mission by community action as well as financially.
How can I get there?
A: Employee presentations
B: Employee Volunteer opportunities
C: Employee driven fundraising events
D: Make your staff and employees part of the process of deciding on focus and community needs.
Institutional Readiness

20. Don’t assume potential board or donor prospects know anything about you.
Everyone is connected - so stay on message
Ask questions and Listen more than you talk
Don’t take yourself too seriously, Have some fun with it: you meet great people and can build your organization’s independence!
KEEPIN IT REAL

21. Professional training
Association of Fundraising Professionals
Professional training

22. Valuable publications on: Board building Strategy planning Leadership
FREE resource for board building info
Valuable publications on:
Board building
Strategy planning
Leadership
Marketing
These are publications that will cover all the basics for your organizational needs.

23. FREE Non-Profit RESOURCES…..
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All have great information you can use.
FREE Non-Profit RESOURCES…..

24. Learning opportunities:
The Fund Raising School
Celebrating 30 years of teaching ethical fundraising
The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University West North Street, Suite Indianapolis, IN Phone: (317) Fax: (317)
Learning opportunities:

25. Foundation Center locations:
GEORGIA
WASHINGTON MEMORIAL LIBRARY Washington Ave. Macon, GA (478)
THOMAS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY N. Madison St. Thomasville, GA (229)
NORTH CAROLINA
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
Pack Memorial Library 67 Haywood St. Asheville, NC (828)
THE DUKE ENDOWMENT N. Tryon St., Suite 3500 Charlotte, NC (704)
DURHAM COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY North Roxboro Durham, NC (919)
SOUTH CAROLINA:
ANDERSON COUNTY LIBRARY N. McDuffie Street Anderson, SC (864)
CHARLESTON COUNTY LIBRARY Calhoun St. Charleston, SC (843)
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE LIBRARY Senate St. Columbia, SC (803)
GREENVILLE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM Heritage Green Place Greenville, SC (864)
Foundation Center locations:

26. “A foundation dedicated to better health for all of us”
Thank you for taking the time to listen today
Mark Sobiski – Foundation Director
“A foundation dedicated to better health for all of us”