October 2009 Entries
Before foundations accept grant proposals, many require letters of inquiry. When you submit a letter of inquiry, there are some basic tips to remember:
Scheduling—make sure you submit your letter far enough advanced according not only to the foundation’s guidelines but your project’s deadlines.
Contact person—Confirm with the foundation the correct person to whom your letter should be sent.
Mailing—Submit your letter through regular mail. Be timely in your mailing, not squeezing it in last minute.
Writing the letter—
Summarize: You only have a short amount of space so use it wisely. Provide a brief synopsis of your project and funding amount in one...
posted @ Monday, October 26, 2009 7:56 AM |
As you meet with donors, you will encounter various groups and will need employ various styles of communication.
First, you need to know who your groups are. Narrow it to a few core groups (2-4) and identify their basic communication style. For instance, are young adults one of the groups you are involved with? An online approach might be the best form of communication to reach them. Think through all your groups—it’s not just about style, but about content and its quantity.
Once you have those core groups, focus on those. It is not always wise to expend your effort or...
posted @ Wednesday, October 21, 2009 6:56 AM |
Changes in Campaign Finance Regulations for § 527 Nonprofits
By Michelle A. Adams
Attorney in Augusta, GA
The US Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, recently made a significant ruling regarding § 527 organizations – those nonprofits existing primarily to influence the election or defeat of candidates for federal public office. In the case of Emily’s List v. Federal Election Commission (FEC), decided September 18, 2009, the court majority wrote a 44 page opinion striking down recent (2004) FEC campaign spending limitations applied to these groups.
After the 2004 elections there was significant pressure on the FEC to reform the campaign spending of certain...
posted @ Monday, October 12, 2009 4:01 PM |
The Mal Warwick Associates published a study analyzing nonprofit trends recently in order to help organizations be most effective in times of recession. Their excerpts of their suggestions are below:
“1) Don’t panic. You may even find opportunities opening up in these difficult times. Other fundraisers (and, more often, their bosses) are panicking. They’re eliminating donor acquisition, canceling fundraising projects right and left, and cutting mailing quantities. If you make decisions carefully and stick to business, you’ll do better both in the short run and in the long.”
“2) Strengthen your case for giving. Your donors don’t want to hear how the...
posted @ Monday, October 05, 2009 8:31 AM |