Orion Grassroots Network

Resources Blog: Fundraising

Kickstarter for raising money online

posted Jun 16, 2010

Several websites exist that allow you to raise batches of money for projects. You just register on the site for free, set a funding goal, describe the project, and then promote it to your supporters and networks. People then pledge $1 or more towards it.

It's also a great way for folks who've no nonprofit status to get some seed funding going. Of course the sites make you choose a time period within which to raise the $, and if you don't make the goal, no one whom you get to pledge gets debited, and you don't get your funding. If you do get to your goal, the site keeps a percentage, usually 5%.

We at the Orion Grassroots Network used Fundable for Network projects until that folded, and ChipIn is also still around, but it appears that Kickstarter has perfected the package. Not sure if there are any reporting implications for the $ raised, but it seems pretty straightforward - if your campaign is successful, you get the $ and a list of your donors whom you can thank.

Grassroots fundraising blog

posted Jun 4, 2010

Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training has a great blog that covers a zillion topics relative to 'grassroots fundraising' - the art of raising money and building grassroots support at the same time, probably the best mechanism for small social change nonprofits to fund themselves. Check this often: http://giftexchange.wordpress.com/

Mobile Phone fundraising campaigns

posted May 11, 2010

Frogloop has a useful new post up about fundraising via texting. Why do it? Unlike emails, which only get opened 10 to 15% of the time, SMS/ text messages have a nearly 100% open rate! However, it is not nearly as easy as putting up a "donate now" page on your website, and the codes you have to use are controlled by the telecommunications carriers (only 9 of which will allow such campaigns) and all giving programs must be approved by the Mobile Giving Foundation (MGF) which has stringent requirements for who can provide mobile giving and who can develop a mobile giving program.

MGF's main restriction is that it will only OK text campaigns by nonprofits with gross revenues of at least $500,000. That precludes most of us.

Read the full post here.

Fundraising event promo package

posted Dec 8, 2009

Let It Be Known Public Relations, which offers 30% off to Orion Grassroots Network members & specializes in nonprofit clients, is offering a three-month package to members, for nonprofits looking to promote a fundraising event or project. Let It Be Known Public Relations will provide public relations services for the low price of $1,650 per month (or just $4,950 for three months.) Let It Be Known Public Relations can help your group gain increased media exposure, to increase name recognition and exposure for causes, fundraising efforts, and more. LIBK is available on full-time or project-by-project basis to groups anywhere.

Nonprofit references are available upon request. Contact:

617-872-1875 (ask for John) .

Nonprofit management webinars: save 30% on sessions via Orion

posted Sep 22, 2009

The Society for Nonprofit Organizations has announced its fall webinar lineup, here. They are solid webinars with top experts, and cost $99 for non-SNPO members, but the Network is sponsoring them this Fall so you can enjoy them for just $69, a 30% savings. Topics include:

• 10/7 Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times, with Kim Klein, Klein & Roth Consulting
• 10/28 Marketing & PR on a Shoestring, with Hannah Brazee Gregory, Shoestring Creative Group
• 11/18 Surviving the Meltdown without Having One, with Katya Andresen, Network for Good
• 12/2 Mobilizing Volunteers in the Face of Budget Cuts, with Susan Ellis, President, Energize Inc.

Use the links above to register for the 30% savings. The first one with grassroots fundraising guru Kim Klein may be the key one, but all are solid. Kim founded Grassroots Fundraising Journal, which Network members can subscribe to for $30 via OGN, a 25-50% savings: for more info and to subscribe, go here.

Ninth Edition of Popular Grantwriting Manual Available

posted Sep 8, 2009

The Funding Exchange's ninth edition of their classic grantwriting handbook takes the mystery out of grantwriting, guiding you step by step through the proposal preparation process. Its practical, straightforward style presents a wealth of information in an easy-to-understand format. Worksheets and checklists are included throughout the manual to simplify the grantwriting and project planning process. More information about The Art of Grantwriting here.

Best of Board Cafe

posted Aug 31, 2009

Best of the Board Cafe, 2nd Edition is now on sale. First published in 2005, this collection of CompassPoint online newsletter articles became instantly popular with busy board members of nonprofits. Now updated with new essays that are “short enough to read over a cup of coffee,” readers will find essential insights on board responsibilities, executive directors, fundraising, finance, and more.

Read one of the chapters, "What to Do with Board Members Who Don't Do Anything," here.

Order a copy here.

GrantStation reference card

posted Aug 7, 2009

GrantStation has created a Quick Reference Card to help you learn how to use their site (which all members of the Network enjoy access to), and answer some common questions you may have. It is a 3-fold card, so if you want you can also print it out and keep it handy wherever you do your GrantStation research. Download: ORIONQuickRefCardAUG_09.doc

Tom’s top fundraising resources

posted Apr 1, 2009

OGN Advisor Tom Reed Petersen's recommendations:

From Mal Warwick Associates:

“Fundraising in Tough Times: A no-nonsense guide to surviving in a challenging economy”

From Institute for Conservation Leadership – (as a whole ICL is very good)

“Managing in Hard Times”

“Assessing your organization’s fundraising readiness”

From TREC (Training Resources for the Environmental Community)

“I don’t want to be blindsided” – a TREC publication, not on their website, but I have and can send to folks (.)

Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training: 30% off their flagship publication:

Grassroots Fundraising Journal

Also, Tom's article in Grassroots Fundraising Journal is here: http://wildlandscpr.org/files/uploads/dowhatyouretold.pdf

Fiscal Sponsorship

posted Feb 9, 2009

Fiscal sponsorship can be an efficient way to fund your work. It frees you from the chains of filing, reporting, fundraising, and everything else that makes nonprofits a challenge.

The best known of these is the Tides Center, but it's not the only game in town. There are 139 fiscal sponsors in 26 states and you can find them at the Fiscal Sponsor Directory's site. If you're having trouble with the whole 501(c)3 concept, maybe it's time to look into this avenue. Download the attached file from the Chronicle for Philanthropy for more info. Fiscal-Sponsorship-overview-ChronPhil-Apr07.pdf

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