Fundraising
Tools for Leveraging Federal Grant Dollars
Fundraising and resource development are important aspects of many AFI-funded IDA projects. This section provides information and key resources detailing where AFI grantees typically raise funds. It offers information on how to plan and build capacity for leveraging federal AFI grant funds and other resources, effective strategies and tips for funding IDA projects, and tips on working with funders.
Building Your Fundraising Strategy
Tailor a fundraising plan to your needs, answering the questions, Where are you now? Where do you want to go? How will you get there?
Learn the essential elements of a strong fundraising plan
Learn to define success, what to evaluate, when to evaluate, and how to use the results.
Learn that most funders are people who are not rich, to “thank before you bank,” and more.
Cultivating Funders
Understand how to explain to funders, in the language of business, that their contributions make a difference.
Don’t fly solo when fundraising: Have diverse friends and turn players into partners.
Learn to reach a wider audience, crucial to fundraising and finding clients and partners.
Make sure everyone understands what the committee does, then get the right members.
Understand the Federal Reserve, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, commercial banks, and more—and how they affect you.
Learn the fundamentals, including…Be prompt, write to everyone, know what to say, know the format.
Tips for Energizing Board Members
Your board members are your lead fundraisers—get tips to help them out.
Learn questions that will help your board do a self-assessment.
Learn three strategies to help maximize your board’s fundraising.
Specific Suggestions for Leveraging Federal AFI Grants to Support IDA Projects
Learn how to leverage your federal AFI grant with funding from new sources.
Find the Web sites, books, newsletters, and more that can help you locate potential funders.
Get links to the three Federal programs mostly likely to partner with your IDA project.
Get details on 17 Federal and non-Federal programs that have been key IDA partners.
See this comprehensive list of public sector funders, types of support offered, and how funds can be used.
General Suggestions, Tools & Resources
Learn how special events bring people closer (including new donors), how they’re good for board members and volunteers, and more.
Learn where corporate, community, and family foundations are giving their support.
Fundraising Tools & Resources
“Appreciated securities,” “public support test,” “social investing”—learn the language of fundraising.
Find technical assistance and other support for nonprofits in your State.
Find State and regional associations of grantmakers that can help your organization.
Learn more about the one entity that keeps tabs on the 91,000 U.S. foundations and corporate donors.
