Sustaining the Work of Family Organizations: Tools & Tips Diana Autin, Statewide Parent Advocacy Network of NJ FFCMH, F2F, Family Voices, Parent to Parent, PTI © 2014

Your Family Organization’s Economic Engine Government grants/contractsFoundation grants Earned income/fee for serviceIndividuals/Events

Grant Fundraising Basics Research Case for Support Constituency engagement around: Core support New initiatives Cultivation Process

Federal government agencies – US Department of Health and Human Services Maternal and Child Health Bureau – F2F & others Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Research grants SAMHSA Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administration on Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities – US Department of Education – US Department of Justice

Funding Sources - Government State Agencies – Education – Health/Title V CSHCN & MCH – Human Services – Juvenile Justice – Labor – Mental Health/child behavioral health – Developmental Disabilities – Early Intervention – Medicaid County & local government agencies School districts

Funding Sources – Non-Government Foundations Rotary Club and other civic organizations Hospitals, Physicians, other health care providers Insurance companies, Managed Care Organizations (MCO)

Mechanics of Writing a Grant Do the research on the funder (what have they funded in the past? Who do they fund – are any of these your partners?) Do the research on the issue/problem Match the problem with the funder’s areas of focus; match the activities with the funder’s interests Think of an RFP as a puzzle; answer the questions well and get the $$

Respond to the RFP like an IEP – What are the identified needs (Need) and activities that are already working related to that need (Areas of strength) – What are the goals that will build on the areas of strength and address the needs – What are the short-term objectives along the way toward the goals? – What are the services/activities you will provide? (Work Plan with timelines, responsible parties) – Who will provide the services? What are their credentials/capacity? (Staff, partners) – How will you demonstrate that you are making progress and that you have achieved the goals? (Evaluation) – How much will it cost? (Budget) (include in-kind contributions) Borrow someone else’s successful grant if applicable

Untraditional partners Issues that may seem to go outside your areas of focus but have a close connection – Example: Children who are poor, LEP, etc., are more likely to have mental health/behavioral challenges. Doing a project that focuses on those children will likely bring you into contact with your target population Activities that you haven’t done before

Engaging Collaborators in Developing Projects

Why partner in fundraising? Enhance partnerships including with non-traditional partners that are experiencing government funding growth Example: FQHCs Collaborative government fundraising to minimize competition, maximize capacity, enhance reach, strengthen proposed project/ program, increase likelihood of success Engage constituents in identifying needs, strategies, goals, objectives, activities, and evaluation; marry the story with the facts and research

Grassroots Fundraising Individual Donors Fundraising Events

Individual Development: Individual Donors & Events What makes us uncomfortable about making the ask? What is “branding” in a non-profit, social justice context? How is asking for money like building community? Who do we cultivate? Why and how? Is the squeeze worth the juice?

INDIVIDUAL DONOR EXAMPLE Scenario A You tell friends and relatives about your organization and ask each person to give something. You get $. Scenario B You schedule opportunities to speak to business and civic groups and ask them to invest in transition for youth who will then become more self-sufficient and need fewer social services and therefore reduce taxes. You get $$$!!

Untying our Tongues: Practicing the Ask & Elevator Speeches

Grassroots Fundraising & Events

Sample Family Organization Budget Chart

Letter Writing Campaign Mother’s Day cards Thanksgiving Day cards

Winery Tours Lunch, winery tour, & dinner Show video and/or had a family share their story Silent auction Live auction

Mini-Fundraisers Board members hosting get-togethers in their home Brief presentation, family member & staff speak, end-of-year video

Flamingo Flock Fundraisers Place 25 flamingos in a willing person’s yard with a sign that says: – Make a donation & the flock will go away!

Family-Friendly Outdoor Movie Show movie outdoors on inflatable screen Families bring blankets & camping chairs Partner with food trucks

Fee For Service

Fee for Service Money is derived from the provision of goods or services. Pricing denotes value and encourages participation and commitment. Have a set schedule of fees for services (workshops, consultation, etc.) and make sure all your staff are aware of what you charge for and what you charge Be specific in your grant applications about deliverables!

Professional Development Target audiences – Educators – Health professionals – Human services staff – Non-profit staff Topics – Parent-professional collaboration – Supporting parent leadership development – Laws/rules/rights in education, health, other systems – Cultural/linguistic competence

Customized Technical Assistance Child care centers (inclusion) Districts, hospitals, medical practices – Parent Advisory Councils – Transition to Adult Life

Work with families Parent development Parent-to-parent support Systems navigation Focus groups

FEE FOR SERVICE EXAMPLE Scenario- A You sponsor a series of 4 classes for free. Your organization spends $ in printing, promotion, and staff time. Scenario- B You sponsor this same series but you invite local businesses to invest as sponsors AND you charge participants $15.00 for the entire series or $5.00 per class. Here your organization makes $ through income fees.

Tools Needed for Fee-for-Service Fee-for-service description (flyer/brochure) Listing of workshops & TA available Targeted outreach flyers – Districts, schools – Health & human services professionals/agencies – Corporations/employers Sliding fee scale Workshop offerings catalogue

Sales Money is derived from the sale of goods or materials to parents or professionals Have a set schedule of fees for materials; make sure all your staff are aware of what you charge for & what you charge FFCMH chapters can charge for materials, or can enclose a materials pricing sheet with materials asking recipients to contribute what they can

EARNED INCOME EXAMPLE Scenario- A You purchase a manual or guide from a recognized source for $. Scenario- B You gather a team to compile your own stories and worksheets and prepare a manual/guide, etc., and sell it online for $ making you $$ in profit.

The “Hedgehog” Concept Your passion/mission Your capacity/strength(s) Your resource engine

Strategic Plan (3-5 years) Business Plan (1-2 yrs) Fundraising Plan Annual reports, Audits (track record) Your Fundraising Plan

What did we miss? Questions?

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