Practical Fundraising Tips for Community Organizers

Highlights relationship-building and communicating impact

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The combination of tough
economic times, unprecedented levels of needs, and growing public awareness of
community organizing make this a ripe, albeit difficult, time for some serious
fundraising. Aaron Dorfman, executive director of the National Committee for
Responsive Philanthropy (http://www.ncrp.org), and Marjorie Fine, director of
the Center for Community Change's The Linchpin Campaign
(http://www.communitychange.org/our-projects/linchpin), teamed up to offer
useful and pragmatic tips that can help community organizers dramatically
increase funding from institutional grantmakers and major individual donors.

"Fundraising can be a challenge in these tough times," said Dorfman. "But
there are real opportunities for new funding for community organizing."

In "Seizing the Moment: Frank Advice for Community Organizers Who Want to
Raise More Money," Dorfman and Fine share strategies for building
relationships with donors, how to make the big ask and communicating the
impact of the organization's work. They also suggest a list of additional
resources for fund seekers.

Some of the tips Dorfman and Fine offer include:
-- Make a list of not-the-usual suspects.
-- Hit the social networking sites.
-- Put yourself in the shoes of the program officer and think about the
kind of information you would like to have.
-- Donors can't and won't support what they don't understand, and they
can't make introductions for you if they can't explain what you do.

-- Listen deeply.

"Community organizers help bring together everyday people - senior citizens,
parents, unemployed and working people, and others - into the democratic
process," said Fine. "Community organizations utilize grants and donations to
advocate for important issues such as accessible health care, effective public
transportation and quality public education - putting these dollars to
excellent use."

In the report, the authors noted that funding community organizing is a
strategic way for donors and funders to fulfill their philanthropic goals.

Dorfman presented "Seizing the Moment" during last week's Chicago Community
Organizing Summit presented by The Woods Fund of Chicago, Marguerite Casey
Foundation, Needmor Fund, Wieboldt Foundation and The Egan Urban Center at
DePaul.

"Seizing the Moment: Frank Advice for Community Organizers Who Want to Raise
More Money" (www.ncrp.org/files/publications/seizingthemoment.pdf) is
available for free download.
The National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy is a national watchdog,
research and advocacy organization that promotes philanthropy that serves the
public good, is responsive to people and communities with the least wealth and
opportunity, and is held accountable to the highest standards of integrity and
openness. Visit http://www.ncrp.org.
The Linchpin Campaign is a project of the Center for Community Change. The
project seeks to expand the resources available to community organizing
efforts in the United States. Visit
http://www.communitychange.org/our-projects/linchpin.

SOURCE National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy

Yna C. Moore of NCRP, +1-202-387-9177 x17, ymoore@ncrp.org