Fundraising solutions

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Published on Saturday, 11 February 2012 19:38

Written by Super User

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Fundraising Solutions

For the past 10 years, we have been committed to providing quality services that leads to increase in funding, innovative program, and community impact.

We have been successful in helping clients obtain grants from (partial list):

• Americorps (state level-multi-year award)
• Association of Children and Families (acf.gov)
• Bank of America - ($200,000 Neighborhood Builders Grant)
• Community Service Block Grants (multiple municipalities)
• Department of Labor- Parolee Job Placement
• EJ Grassman Foundation
• Housing and Urban Development – Housing Counseling
• Hyde and Watson Foundation
• Investors Savings Foundation Merck Foundation
• Neighborworks America
• NJ Juvenile Justice Commission
• NJ Office of Faith Based Initiatives
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Ronald McDonald Foundation
• TD Foundation
• Turrell Fund 
• U.S. Congressional Appropriation
• Verizon Foundation
• Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
• Victoria Foundation
• Workforce Investment Act Grants (multiple municipalities)
• YouthBuild (multiple grants – one award is $1 million)
  
  

Resource Development and Coaching Program

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Published on Monday, 02 January 2012 02:31

Written by Super User

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 Resource Development and Coaching Program

In the past year, we've decided to strategically launch a resource development and coaching program for not-for-profit organizations.  We provide one-on-one coaching towards reaching long-term goals, including fundraising for program operations. Here is a testimonial from a partner:

"Hi Marie,

Thanks for this plan regarding the coming months. Please, you have my approval. Running a nonprofit demands a lot of sacrifice and patience. As the Founder, I am still pushing as much I can, only because I believe in what I do. I remember the story of the Executive Director who started almost alone, some years back spending and spending till she got broke and almost discouraged to pursue till you decide to provide services to her agency.  It is almost the same thing happening to me. Let's see what can be done with your coaching,as you are still willing to help! I sincerely appreciate what you still doing for Gedus Networks.

Thankfully!

Daniel Kouaho."

We thought about some tools or tips that new or established non-profits can benefit from. Here we highlight some of the recommendations we give to clients as we help accomplish their organizational goals. 

If you have an existing program, take time to develop:

·         Job descriptions for both your volunteers and staff.  There are a number of online sites that have templates that can be easily customized.

·         Program schedule is extremely important.  Either a weekly, monthly, or daily schedule to off with a schedule that key volunteers/staff contributed to. 

·         Background check forms can be obtained from the Department of Law and Public Safety website for your state.  In the state of New Jersey, people working with minors  are now required to have a background check done.  Visit  http://www.njsp.org/about/serv_chrc.html for forms for New Jersey programs.

This step can be easily overlooked since many nonprofit leaders are juggling several roles that include receptionist, PR, and executive director.  I recommend develop an ‘owner’s manual’ to your organization that includes: 

·         A 1-2 page policy for hiring and termination.  I recommend giving new employees a aptitude test so that when you ask them to write a letter, you’re confident that they have the aptitude to do the job.  I currently purchase the W.E.P. test from gneil.com

http://www.gneil.com/products/workplaceessentialsprofile/default.aspx?sessionid=6536.209m5v-589

This test has saved me from hiring the ‘wrong’ people; although, they may have the credentials and strong recommendations.  The test includes basic math skills (e.g. division), basic writing, and moral judgment. 

·         Book keeping procedures could be viewed as a cheat sheet for handling business receipts, checks, reimbursement, etc.  Microsoft.com has several great Excel templates that can be customized for your program.  Here is a link to a few great templates:  http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/CT001226191.aspx

·         Board Members and Donors – I encourage clients to engage their friends, co-workers and colleagues in their charitable organization through volunteering as guest speakers, participants, and sponsors.  We’re currently helping a client launch a new program for women.  The first thing we did was invite women who we knew to a program orientation.  Those interested became facilitators of a women’s empowerment group.  That led to recruiting volunteers from the women who attended, then recruited committee chairs from these volunteers, and finally recruit a working board from the committee members.  This same step can be applied when cultivating relationship with potential donors.  Figure out what the right seed is and plant it.  The right seed may be an invitation to an event, dinner, or a program session.  This can progress to watering; meaning keeping the prospect engaged through newsletters, personal letters, and invitation.  Continue to water year-round.  Also do your homework on potential donors.  What networks do they belong to?  Does their company have a corporate foundation? Etc.  Make the experience of working with volunteers and donors as seamless and as rewarding as possible.

·         Advertisements and press releases – invite a public figure to one of your events and submit a press release online (e.g. nj.com) or send out a press release recognizing a funder.  Note: request permission to submit press release from funders or public figures.  Also consider sending them a copy of the press release before distributing it.  Keep a copy of the press release on your website.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

·         Partnering agreements are knows as either Memorandum of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding.  Whatever you choose to call it, please ,please put your role and your partners’ role in writing and have someone you trust review it.  Also, do this before submitting a grant application together.  Trust me, you’ll be glad you did it.

I know that you need a grant, please consider these before applying or re-applying for one:

·         Existing program (6months or more) ___

·         At least 3 board members___

·         Brochure or press release (if available) ___

·         Complete current year’s operating budget___

·         List of supporters-including donations___

·         501 © 3 designation___

·         990 from at least 1 year___

·         Audit (if available) ___

·         Letters of support for program from partners___

The foundation of a strong nonprofit is a strong board of directors/leaders.  Consider these steps the construction of the pillars for a strong nonprofit:

·         Written process for recruiting board members___

·         At least 1 meeting per quarter___

·         Disclose projected grants to members___

·         Liability insurance for board members___

·         Written Board responsibilities___

·         Board list with short bios on members___

·         Organizational chart (even if it’s just three people)___

·         Pledge card for board members___

Tip: Get a monthly/annual pledge goal for each member.  If it’s just $10 a month from 10 people.  $1,200 a year would pay for the liability insurance for the members or pay  initial fees for a fundraiser.

Starting a Non-Profit Organization

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Category: Sample Data-Articles

Published on Saturday, 11 February 2012 19:32

Written by Super User

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JustStarting a Non-profitOrganization

If you are just starting out as a charitable organization and have not received designation to operate as a 501 C 3, there are several options.  The steps below are tips on the incorporation process. 

First:

Incorporate your group: 1) write up your purpose or mission (articles of incorporation), 2) appoint board of directors, and 3) set-up bylaws.

Tip: You will need to submit your articles of incorporation, approved by your state, to the IRS. However, the IRS has their own guidelines. Use the articles of incorporation forms provided by your state, contact the IRS to determine any additional sections you would need to add to your articles of incorporation.

Second:

You are now ready to incorporation with your state's Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue. You can expect to pay $115-$150 for this, which includes the filing fee, expedited service (to speed up the turnaround time for filing your Certificate), and the return of a certified, stamped copy of your certificate for your files. You may need the certified stamped copy of our certificate of incorporation to open a bank account.

The Department of the Treasury, Division of Revenue has its own forms for non-profit incorporation.

Third:

If you are interested in pursuing federal tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3), you should call the IRS at 1(800)829-3676 and request the following (all are free):
• SS-4 - Employer Identification Number
• Form 1023 - Application for Recognition of Exemption
• Form 8718 - User Fee for Exempt Organization Ruling Request
• Publication 557 - Tax-exempt Status for Your Organization

These and other IRS forms commonly used by exempt organizations are also available online from the IRS Web site at http://www.irs.gov/charities/index.html. For the 1023 form visit http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1023.pdf .To access a comprehensive listing of downloadable forms and publications by number, click here. The IRS site also provides important information about a wide variety of tax-exempt topics (from the IRS home page, follow the link for "Charities and Non-Profits", then link to "Charitable Orgs").
The Form 1023 is the application that is filed to request recognition from the IRS as a tax-exempt organization. The filing fee depends on your organization's gross receipts for the next four years. Once your form is submitted, expect a turnaround of 3-6 months for the IRS to process your application.

Fourth:
The state in which a non-profit organization operate may reqquire one critical step after receiving tax-exemption from the IRS. An agency would need to register with the Charities Registration Bureau of the state(s) you plan to solicit funds in.

 
For services outside of the NY metropolitan area (reference: "Securing Your Organization's Future: A complete Guide to Fundraising Strategies." ISBN: 0-87954-900-9)
1) Contact local Community Legal Services office. This federally funded program provides pro bono legal assistance to U.S. organizations if at least one-half of their board of directors can meet their income guidelines and qualify as low income.

For additional information on community resources (i.e. free websites, volunteers) contact us.

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Published on Sunday, 01 January 2012 18:10

Written by Super User

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