1. Funding Options for Self-Advocacy Organizations
The Autistic Self Advocacy Network
2013 H St. 7th Floor • Washington, DC 20035
Voice: (202)

2. About the Autistic Self Advocacy Network
Advocacy group run by and for Autistic people and people with other I/DD
Runs Leadership Programs and does Advocacy Work
Nothing About Us, Without Us

3. About the Pacific Alliance on Disability Self Advocacy
Project to help self-advocacy groups in WA, CA, OR, MT
Run by People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Funded by the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

4. Types of Funding

5. ASAN’s Funding Sources
Foundation Grants
Government Grants
Government Subcontracts
Corporate Donations
Individual Donations
Book Sales
Speaking Fees
Training Contracts
Membership Dues
Gala Tickets

6. Self-Advocacy Groups Have Less Experience with Fundraising

7. Allies in Self Advocacy 2012 Findings
Most common funding source is State DDCouncil;
Other sources include AIDD, CILs, Arc chapters, indirect support via UCEDDs and P&As
Very few states report that self- advocacy groups have a paid executive director

8. Mission Mission – What Your Organization Exists to Do
Question: What is your mission? What are some examples of activities that fall under that mission?

9. Mission

10. Funding Funding – How You Pay For It
Question: What is your Current Funding Source(s)?
Question: What are some potential future funding sources for you?

11. Funding

12. How Businesses Get Money
Mission & Funding

13. Example: Apple
Apple’s mission is to create computer and technology products that people will want to use and buy
They fund this mission – and make a lot of money for themselves – by selling computer and technology products they create

14. How Non-Profits Get Money
Funding
Mission

15. Example: SABE
SABE’s mission is to represent the national self-advocacy movement
SABE receives its funding by writing grants to support projects it wants to do. After writing and (hopefully) receiving the grants, it must then go and implement the projects it proposed

16. Example: Center for Independent Living (CIL)
The Center for Independent Living’s mission is to empower and serve people with disabilities in the Berkeley area
CIL receives some funding through grants – but also has contracts from the State to provide services, for which it is paid.

17. Some Activities are Pure Mission
Talking to Legislators and State Officials about Policy
Sending Out Action Alerts
Free Webinars

18. Some Activities are Pure Funding
Writing Grants
Selling Tickets to an Annual Gala or Fundraising Event
Asking for Donations from a Corporate or Wealthy Donor

19. Many Activities Can Be Both
Conference with Paid Registration
Providing Services paid for by a Regional Center or Medicaid
Selling Disability Trainings to Companies or Non-Profits
Selling Publications About Self-Advocacy
Consulting with Non-Profits, Government or other Groups

20. Foundations

21. Questions to Ask When Seeking Foundation Funds
What is the mission of the foundation?
Can I speak to someone from the Foundation before submitting a proposal about our idea?
How much money is their typical grant?
What kind of recognition will the foundation want?
What kind of reporting requirements will the foundation want?
How can I show our work is effective?

22. Corporations

23. Questions to Ask When Seeking Corporate Funds
What kind of exposure and recognition can I offer them?
Do I know someone at the Company that can champion my request?
How much do they typically give?
What will they want in return?
NOTE: Particularly important to pay attention to this with corporate donors that interact with disability services

24. Fundraising

25. Fundraising E-mail Tips
Short, snappy subject line
Brief , clear ask
Build an List
Build a Relationship with the People On Your List
Send people lots of non-fundraising s
Let People Unsubscribe
Say Thank You!

26. Paid Training or Speaking

27. Paid Speaking Tips Only Charge What People Can Afford to Pay
Don’t Forget Public Education is a Mission Activity – this is just a way of paying for it
A Good Way of Managing Time Demands of People Asked to Speak Everywhere
Gives the Organization Unrestricted Funds

28. Publications

29. Publications Tips
Explore Print on Demand Options (i.e: Amazon Createspace, LightningSource)
Get Your Stuff Up on Amazon, B&N.com
Don’t Produce Books You Wouldn’t Want to Create Anyway
Use it as a Way to Get Your Content to More People
Don’t Forget to Market Your Books Everywhere You Can!

30. How Can We Match Each Part of your Mission to an Appropriate Funding Source?