In this final post of our fundraising guide, I want to challenge you to investigate more online opportunities. One of the most important things you can do to sustain your ministry is have a wide fundraising base. These past posts have discussed mostly ways to connect with donors, so let's think outside of the box now.
With the rise of the Internet, you now have virtually millions of resources right after your finger-tips. However, you have to be willing to invest some time in doing a little research and think creatively. Ask other volunteers to help you out in the research process; to tell a person they are needed and valued will only strengthen your relationship.
Let me help get you started with a few thoughts:
1) Are many of your donors hurting financially?-- Here's your starting idea: Why do they have to give cash? Go online and research non-cash donations. Most of the nation's wealth is held in non-cash assets. Check out www.idonate.com This online resource can help you convert non-cash donations into funding for your ministry. They offer links that you can add into your website so that people can submit their interest in giving you a non-cash website.
2) Does your ministry need food for some of its outreach?-- It's time to pull up Google and do a little research. Check out stores in your area that sell food items, and see if you can receive food or damaged goods at a lower price. World Garden and Soup Kitchen, an organization based out of Northwest Arkansas, started off with this basic approach and has been able to cut their costs significantly by simply tapping into these many available resources. Go to www.worldgardensalads.com to learn more about their work.
3) Would it be helpful if your staff had further training?-- You don't have to spend big bucks to educate people. Instead, go online and find professionals who excel in their work. Read their materials, sign up for webinars, and pursue all the free learning you can get from there. In our next series of blogs, William High of the Servant Christian Community Foundation, will be writing to help educate you on changes needed in the fundraising process in light of the current economy. Visit www.servantchristian.com to learn more about his work. Also, if you are interested in learning more about how to find Christian foundations and write grants, check out our new book "Grants for Christian Ministries and More!"
Of course, these ideas are just the start. So how do you get started from here? Sit down at your computer or pull out a sheet of paper and write! Write out needs, questions, wants, etc. Make your priorities and then get busy with a little research. There are so many resources; it's just up to you to seek them out.
Need help along the way? Send me an email! Or find me on LinkedIn! I'd love to help connect you with many of CFG"s great resources.
Jessica High manages research and marketing at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to to faith based organizations. www.idonate.com is a website that allows ministries to receive non-cash donations online.