Fundraising 101

End of Summer Stewardship

For many non-profits, summer is a time when active donor work slows down. Donors and lay leaders may not be as available or accessible.  People travel, spend time with their children and families and take a break from work and volunteer responsibilities. The beginning of fall signifies a return to…
Fundraising 101

What’s in a Message?

Nearly every nonprofit organization solicits donors and prospective donors via some form of written communication – whether it’s a print direct mail letter, a newsletter or an e-blast. Many individuals receive all of these types of solicitations, from multiple organizations, on a regular basis. So what sets your communications apart…
Grant Writing

Third Time’s A Charm…

Last week I participated in a site visit between my client, The Cove School, and a private foundation we are pursuing for funding. It’s a great story of cultivation and relationship building. The Cove School is a private K-12 school in Northbrook, IL serving students with complex learning disabilities. I…
Grant Writing

Steps to a Successful Corporate Grant

When I begin work with a new client on strengthening their grants program, one of the first steps is to look at past funders and explore opportunities for repeat funding. Secondly, I turn to current board members to identify their corporate contacts and see if there is a match. Once…
Grant Writing

Unique Funder = Unique Application Process

Every Foundation is different and therefore every grant proposal you submit will be different, even if it is for the same program and requests the same dollar amount as the one before. Before you sit down to write a grant proposal, spend some time studying the prospective funder and their…