FUNDRAISING TIPS & TRICKS

from the October 28^th PVHN Gathering

-- Sign up for the weekly e-mail updates on newly-released “Request for Proposals” from the Foundation Center. Go to www.foundationcenter.org and subscribe to the free e-mail. The Foundation Center is a national resource of foundations and private grantmakers.

-- Check out the Catalogue for Philanthropy on the web. [http://www.catalogueforphilanthropy.org/ma] It’s where you can post your organization & it’s mission, so potential givers can match their funding interests with your organization. While they are not accepting new applications for 2009, they request that you check back in early 2010.

-- Auctions are a huge amount of work (before & during), but outcome can be very worthwhile. $20-30,000, started by one individual 10 years ago.

-- [at a tag sale or auction] Always ask if someone would like to donate an object before offering to purchase it. Talk to the auctioneer or owner.

-- Private, by-invitation-only parlor presentations can net $2000 in 3 hrs. (Safe Passage in Northampton). costs= invitations, calls, luncheon

-- Instead of saying “will try” [in grant proposals], say “will recruit”, “will produce”, etc., which sounds more positive, but still doesn’t quite commit you to a specific result