1. Rose Conway-Walsh FUNDRAISING Rose Conway-Walsh Belmullet, Co Mayo 087 2846830

2. Rose Conway-Walsh What is a Fundraising Strategy It is a management tool that enables your organisation to seek and obtain funding in a planned and sustained way in order to meet it’s objectives. It is a management tool that enables your organisation to seek and obtain funding in a planned and sustained way in order to meet it’s objectives. It can cover 1 year/3years or more depending on the type of organisation. It can cover 1 year/3years or more depending on the type of organisation. Must be flexible to tke advantage of new opportunities. Must be flexible to tke advantage of new opportunities.

3. Rose Conway-Walsh How Much Do We Need? What is the cost of implementing our plan for the next 12 months? What is the cost of implementing our plan for the next 12 months? What are our longer-term plans? How much will they cost? What are our longer-term plans? How much will they cost?

4. Rose Conway-Walsh Writing Up Your Fundraising Strategy Description of your group/ organisation Outline your mission statement List Major Achievements Summary of Strengths and Weaknesses Description of Goals and Major Projects Current funders and outlook Priorities? 2/3 year Financial Plan & Resources you will need Sources of income you can tap into. How will you measure your success?

5. Rose Conway-Walsh Developing the Fundrsising Strategy Is it realistic? Make Sure Everyone in the Organisation is involved Divide Fundraising Tasks/responsibi lities Are the tasks spread throughout the year How are you going to develop your relationship with Current Funders? Evaluate your current relationship with funders – be honest.

6. Rose Conway-Walsh Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Easier to Get Funding for one event that long-term programme Easier to Get Funding for one event that long-term programme Break your programme into smaller bits and seek funding for each part – may be from different sources Break your programme into smaller bits and seek funding for each part – may be from different sources More NGOs are seeking more money from traditional funding sources Develop a more diversified range of donors – different amounts & different times What is your USP??

7. Rose Conway-Walsh More Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Many Donors are providing much less money than needed or do not have enough to go around. Many Donors are providing much less money than needed or do not have enough to go around. A diversified fundraising programme. Closer the donor, smaller the amount A diversified fundraising programme. Closer the donor, smaller the amount Conditions and terms imposed on funds provided that may restrict it’s use Understand the need for these conditions – negotiate, satisfy their needs without sacrificing your own

8. Rose Conway-Walsh More Challenges to Overcome in Fundraising Difficult to find a donor who is willing to finance a specific programme or project Difficult to find a donor who is willing to finance a specific programme or project Look at the local corporate sector and local opportunities Look at the local corporate sector and local opportunities It takes so much time, effort and money itself to find and secure funding. Everyone in the organisation – staff management committee, members etc should be involved in writing proposals, finding and networking with donors, Appeals Committees

9. Rose Conway-Walsh In-Kind Contributions Technical Knowledge and information is very expensive and takes up much of a funding request. Technical Knowledge and information is very expensive and takes up much of a funding request. Try to seek in-kind contributions from experts especially form a company. Try to seek in-kind contributions from experts especially form a company. This enables them to be community- friendly. This enables them to be community- friendly. Advice, work-time, equipment etc. Advice, work-time, equipment etc.

10. Rose Conway-Walsh GRANTS LDP – Social Inclusion Programme National Rural Development Programme Combat Poverty Dept. of Social Community & Family Affairs Dept. Justice Equality & Law Reform Udaras na Gaeltachta MuinterasFASVEC

11. Rose Conway-Walsh GRANTS Irish Youth Foundation County Council St Vincent De Paul ESB (Electric Aid) Ireland AIB – Better Ireland Awards Dept. Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs Lottery Funding Dormant Accounts Check CDB Website

12. Rose Conway-Walsh Applying For a Grant Select appropriate sources as application forms are very time consuming. Select appropriate sources as application forms are very time consuming. Weigh up the possible benefits against the time and resources need to fill out the form. Weigh up the possible benefits against the time and resources need to fill out the form. Ensure you are eligible and fit the criteria. Ensure you are eligible and fit the criteria. Be aware of closing dates and drawdown dates. Be aware of closing dates and drawdown dates. Attach material about past achievements. Attach material about past achievements.

13. Rose Conway-Walsh Applying For a Grant Make sure you follow the guidelines, instructions and guides on funding procedures. Make sure you follow the guidelines, instructions and guides on funding procedures. Make sure you have fully studied and understood the priorities of the funders – they should also be your priorities! Make sure you have fully studied and understood the priorities of the funders – they should also be your priorities! Use key words to convince the funders of its viability and impact. Use key words to convince the funders of its viability and impact.

14. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal Cover Letter – No more than 1 page, Who you are and your background briefly, purpose of funding and amount you request. Include contact person, phone number, e-mail and address. Cover Letter – No more than 1 page, Who you are and your background briefly, purpose of funding and amount you request. Include contact person, phone number, e-mail and address. Proposal – 1 page summary, aims and objectives, proposal purpose, project purpose, how project will be implemented, state the results you expect from your project. Include total budget amount, other funds that are committed and the amount of your request. Remember 90% of funding decisions will be made before the reader has finishes reading this page – Be concise compelling and clear Proposal – 1 page summary, aims and objectives, proposal purpose, project purpose, how project will be implemented, state the results you expect from your project. Include total budget amount, other funds that are committed and the amount of your request. Remember 90% of funding decisions will be made before the reader has finishes reading this page – Be concise compelling and clear

15. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal Introduction to the Organisation – History, General Purpose, goals and objectives as they relate to this project, Accomplishments, Service Areas and Population Served. Introduction to the Organisation – History, General Purpose, goals and objectives as they relate to this project, Accomplishments, Service Areas and Population Served. Statement of Problem or Need, Use a funnel approach, Start with the general problem, move to the conditions which make this a problem, outline current resources and identify gaps, identify how your proposal will fill these gaps. Statement of Problem or Need, Use a funnel approach, Start with the general problem, move to the conditions which make this a problem, outline current resources and identify gaps, identify how your proposal will fill these gaps.

16. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal Project Goals and Objectives Project Goals and Objectives What specific goals are you trying to achieve? What measurable milestones will you reach in meeting those goals? How will you and the funder know that you are making progress towards your goals?

17. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal Methods and Schedule Methods and Schedule What actions will you take to achieve your goals? What are the critical success factors? What are the critical success factors? Who will do what – include job descriptions from staff and qualifications and experience of volunteers. Who will do what – include job descriptions from staff and qualifications and experience of volunteers. When will these actions take place? When will these actions take place?

18. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal Evaluation Criteria and Process Evaluation Criteria and Process How will you know whether you are achieving your goals? What will you measure to evaluate your progress? What records and information will you keep to allow you to measure your progress?

19. Rose Conway-Walsh What if there is no Application Form? The Proposal  Budget More detail is better than less More detail is better than less Don’t round out if possible. Use quotes and estimates whenever you can get them – even if they are informal quotes. Don’t round out if possible. Use quotes and estimates whenever you can get them – even if they are informal quotes. Don’t pad your budget. Competent reviewers will know the cost of goods and services. Don’t pad your budget. Competent reviewers will know the cost of goods and services. Do include all sources of support – volunteer time, donated space and borrowed equipment. Don’t shortchange the contribution your community is making to your project. Do include all sources of support – volunteer time, donated space and borrowed equipment. Don’t shortchange the contribution your community is making to your project.

20. Rose Conway-Walsh Fundraising Activities Company Fundraising/Cause Related Marketing Events Fundraising Individual Donors/Big Gift Donors Church Gate Collections Schools Fundraising Direct Mail House to House Collections Piggy-Back Fundraising

21. Rose Conway-Walsh Event Management Process Concept & Feasibility Planning & Preparation Budgeting & Finance Tasks, Responsibilities & Resources Marketing Plan Progress, Delivery & Reporting

22. Rose Conway-Walsh Reasons For Holding Events To informa and educate the community about the cause To informa and educate the community about the cause To raise funds To raise funds To obtain media coverage for an activity To obtain media coverage for an activity To celebrate a community’s strength and cohesiveness To celebrate a community’s strength and cohesiveness

23. Rose Conway-Walsh Establish who the Event is For The local community/Wider Community The local community/Wider Community Members/potential Members Members/potential Members Sponsors Sponsors Media Media

24. Rose Conway-Walsh Develop the Event Concept Key Questions to ask…. What is the event for? What is the event for? What form will it take? What form will it take? When and where will it be held? When and where will it be held? How will the event benefit the participants? How will the event benefit the participants? What could be the barriers What could be the barriers What physical resources are available or accessible to support the event – facilities, equipment etc. What physical resources are available or accessible to support the event – facilities, equipment etc.

25. Rose Conway-Walsh More Key Questions What are the costs (time, Personnel, Money)? What are the costs (time, Personnel, Money)? Do we have have sufficient volunteers? Do we have have sufficient volunteers? How can any potential barriers be overcome? How can any potential barriers be overcome? Is there sufficient time for planning? Is there sufficient time for planning? **Check the timing of your event does not clash with any other key events **Check the timing of your event does not clash with any other key events

26. Rose Conway-Walsh Planning & Preparation Establish a Formal ’Event Committee’ with a variety of skills. Establish a Formal ’Event Committee’ with a variety of skills. One person should lead the project as the event co-ordinator. One person should lead the project as the event co-ordinator. Outline the responsibilities of each member – tasks deadlines etc. Outline the responsibilities of each member – tasks deadlines etc.

27. Rose Conway-Walsh Develop Budget & Monitor Finances - Expenditure List all the essential costs for the event – include administration, venue, print, postage, catering, entertainment, photography, flowers, advertising, insurance, complimentary tickets – add 15% contingency figure. List all the essential costs for the event – include administration, venue, print, postage, catering, entertainment, photography, flowers, advertising, insurance, complimentary tickets – add 15% contingency figure. When will these expenses have to be paid out When will these expenses have to be paid out

28. Rose Conway-Walsh Identify Potential Income Sponsorship Sponsorship Ticket Sales Ticket Sales Advertising Advertising Donations Donations Raffle Raffle Photography Photography

29. Rose Conway-Walsh Developing a Budget Draw up a Cash Flow budget which estimates when money is to be received and when it is to be paid out. Draw up a Cash Flow budget which estimates when money is to be received and when it is to be paid out. Decision to proceed should be based on evaluating the cash flow information Decision to proceed should be based on evaluating the cash flow information Break even ticket price is calculated by total expenditure divided by no. of ticket sales. Break even ticket price is calculated by total expenditure divided by no. of ticket sales.

30. Rose Conway-Walsh Ticket Selling As a safety measure, nominate a cut-off date, when a final decision is made to proceed with the event or not. As a safety measure, nominate a cut-off date, when a final decision is made to proceed with the event or not. If income is not going to be sufficient to cover expenses cancel the event! If income is not going to be sufficient to cover expenses cancel the event!

31. Rose Conway-Walsh TASK DIVISION Main Tasks for the Event must be identified and individuals in the event committee appointed against each task. Main Tasks for the Event must be identified and individuals in the event committee appointed against each task. Tasks include catering, entertainment, facilities and equipment, finance, marketing, printing, security, sponsorship, ticket selling, volunteers, legal requirements Tasks include catering, entertainment, facilities and equipment, finance, marketing, printing, security, sponsorship, ticket selling, volunteers, legal requirements

32. Rose Conway-Walsh PROJECT PLANNER Prepare a chart which outlines your project timelines and the people responsible for tasks. This will help you keep track of your progress Prepare a chart which outlines your project timelines and the people responsible for tasks. This will help you keep track of your progress Monitor progress against milestones. Monitor progress against milestones. Have regular meetings to keep members feeling connnected Have regular meetings to keep members feeling connnected

33. Rose Conway-Walsh Event Schedule Write up a scrip sheet for the day and distribute to all involved. Information should include person, task, timing, those involved, location and contact information. Write up a scrip sheet for the day and distribute to all involved. Information should include person, task, timing, those involved, location and contact information. All activities, no matter how small should be included in the script, ie. Greetings at the door, test microphone, presentations, clearing up etc. All activities, no matter how small should be included in the script, ie. Greetings at the door, test microphone, presentations, clearing up etc.

34. Rose Conway-Walsh Post Event Obtain feedback and record Obtain feedback and record Thank all those involved Thank all those involved Hold a debriefing session Hold a debriefing session Send out event reports to all sponsors and key organisations Send out event reports to all sponsors and key organisations Ensure records are kept in a central place for running the even in the future Ensure records are kept in a central place for running the even in the future

35. Rose Conway-Walsh Some Trouble Spots Not appointing a co- ordinator Not appointing a co- ordinator Not maintaining accurate written records Not maintaining accurate written records Not monitoring progress closely Not monitoring progress closely Allowing insufficient planning time Failing to communicate and co- ordinate fully with committee members Insufficient helpers

36. Rose Conway-Walsh More trouble spots Insufficient food and drinks Insufficient food and drinks No First Aid No First Aid Poor press coverage Poor press coverage No contingency plans for bad weather No contingency plans for bad weather Programme running over time Programme running over time Failure to inform police or local authorities Lack of colour or glamour Insufficient wast management Unclear direction signs

37. Rose Conway-Walsh Additional Fundraising Elements Tree of Life/Promises Tree of Life/Promises Auction/Silent Auction Auction/Silent Auction Laser clay pigeon shoot Laser clay pigeon shoot Bucking Bronco Bucking Bronco Fun Casino Fun Casino Corporate Entertainment Packages Corporate Entertainment Packages Donations Donations