Category: Not for profit sector

Fundraising for Not-for-Profits

Linda


If you are involved with a small organisation dependent on raising funds from grants, donations, or events, how do you go about raising the money in an efficient and effective way that does not alienate existing and potential donors?

Below we list some resources that may assist you with fundraising along with those providing grants to  community and not-for-profit sectors.

Grants databases

With your Wellington City Libraries membership, you can access Generosity New Zealand‘s grants platform: Generosity NZ is the largest digital search facility for funding information in Aotearoa.  

givUS – for access to more than 1,200 grants and schemes for community groups.

givME – offers access to more than 4,000 scholarships and awards for individuals.

For both these resources users need to login with library registration details and create a further login with the Generosity site.

Strategic Grants helps build your non-profit’s capacity through our GEMS grants database, grant writing, grants training, grants workshops, program design and monitoring and evaluation frameworks and strategic planning for grants success.


LinkedIn Learning courses

(Accessible with library registration)

Nonprofit Fundraising: A Beginner’s Guide
It’s all about relationships.
1h 54m
Beginner
Released: 5/12/2022
Relationships are part of our daily lives, and focusing on them is a proven method for successful communication. To raise funds successfully, you need to aim for long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships. This starts by understanding the exponential growth of the non-profit world’s impact on donors. This course from Fundraising Academy explains how donor’s mindsets have changed with the development of watchdog organizations. Learn to embrace your selling persona and improve prospective and donor relationships with the Cause Selling Cycle. Explore ways to remain ethical in the gray areas, as well as the time management, organizational, and communication skills that you will need as prospective donors decide to partner with you and your cause.

Nonprofit Fundraising Tips
45m
Beginner
Released: 5/13/2022
Successful fundraising depends on a fundraiser’s ability to communicate knowledge about the organization effectively to current and prospective donors. In this course, the Fundraising Academy at National University offers you a wide variety of tips to incorporate into your fundraising presentation, including how to leverage technology and analyze data to develop a plan that will motivate your donors to invest. 

Cause Selling: The Secret to Nonprofit Donations
3h 55m
Beginner
Released: 5/13/2022
In fundraising, building relationships is an art form. You need a pragmatic mindset and ample preparation to succeed at identifying, approaching, and cultivating donor relationships. In this course, the Fundraising Academy teaches you how to prospect, manage prospect information, prepare for your first meeting with a potential donor, make a lasting first impression, and more. 

Book resources from WCL’s collections

Diversity and philanthropy : expanding the circle of giving / Wagner, Lilya
“A “one size fits all” strategy is not effective when it comes to philanthropy and fundraising in today’s diversified environment. This book enables non-profit leaders, board members, staff, and volunteers of non-profit organizations to better reach diverse populations and incorporate perspectives that increase success by surveying the cultural context for philanthropic action. Brings together a breadth of information on the cultural effects on philanthropy and fundraising in an approachable, practical, and readable manner–all in a single-volume resource. “– Provided by publisher.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Fundraising ideas : plan and run events to raise money for good causes / Russell, Molly
“This book is for anyone faced with the task of raising money, especially if it’s for the first time. In it, Molly Russell shares her advice and the ideas gained from a lifetime’s experience of organizing and running fundraising events. Covering all aspects from start to completion, it provides invaluable information that will lead you around the inevitable pitfalls, together with a list of ideas for events that have worked well, from a local coffee morning to a celebrity concert.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Relationship fundraising : a donor-based approach to the business of raising money / Burnett, Ken
“Internationally acclaimed fundraising consultant Ken Burnett has completely revised and updated his classic book Relationship Fundraising to offer fundraising professionals an invaluable resource for learning the techniques of effective communication with donors in the twenty-first century.” (Catalogue)

 

The complete fundraising handbook / Botting, Nina
“The new edition of this ever-popular title has been completely updated and also reorganised. It is now divided into three parts, covering:
* fundraising principles and strategies
* sources of funding – including individual donors, grant-making trusts, companies, central and local government
* fundraising techniques – from house-to-house collections and challenge events, to direct mail and capital appeals
Illustrated with case studies throughout, the book provides a wealth of practical advice on every aspect of fundraising for charity.” (Catalogue)

Fundraising for your school / Rowson, Pauline
“For both the beginner and those who wish to improve their fundraising techniques, this guide looks at how schools can organise their resources for effective fundraising.” (Catalogue)

 

 

Legacy fundraising : the art of seeking bequests
“This series aims to contribute to the development of fundraising theory and support the mobilization of resources for the non-profit sector worldwide.” (Catalogue)

 

 

250+ fundraising ideas for your charity, society, school and PTA : practical and simple money making ideas for anyone raising funds for charities, hospices, societies, clubs and schools / Robinson, Paige
“Containing over 250 practical and effective fundraising ideas, this is an essential book for anyone raising money for charities, hospices, societies, churches, clubs, as well as schools and their PTA. From the sublime (a sponsored blindfold) to the ridiculous (a baked bean welly race), there is something for every fundraiser in this book. Covering sponsorship ideas, raffles and lotteries, collections and donations, games and activities, things to sell as well as providing many different events and themes you can organise, this indispensable guide also looks at how to use outside businesses effectively as well as social networking sites and the internet.”–Publisher’s description.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

The ask : how to ask anyone for any amount for any purpose / Fredricks, Laura
“The Ask is a complete resource for teaching anyone–experienced in fundraising or not–how to ask individuals, in person, for a contribution to for a local non-profit or a special event or community project, an enhanced annual gift, a major or planned gift, or a challenging capital campaign gift. Written by fundraising expert Laura Fredricks, The Ask shows what it takes to prepare yourself and others to make an effective ask and includes over one hundred sample dialogues you can use and adapt. Step by step, the book reveals how to listen, what to say, and how to follow up on each and every ask until you receive a solid and definitive answer.” (Catalogue)

The fundraiser’s guide to irresistible communications : real-world, field-tested strategies for raising more money / Brooks, Jeff
The writing style of fundraising — The importance of being urgent — Make it easy to read — Long messages work better — Grammar for fundraisers — The content of fundraising — Persuade with story, not statistics — Keep it simple — Make it all about the donor — I have bad news and good news — Have a clear call to action — P.S. I love you — The design of fundraising — Design for older eyes — Don’t skimp on emphasis — Make images work for you — Plain, corny, and obvious — The mental game of fundraising — Self-centric fundraising — Three things you should know about donors — Three deadly fundraising myths — Proud to be a fundraiser. (Catalogue)

I’ll grant you that : a step-by-step guide to finding funds, designing winning projects, and writing powerful grant proposals / Burke, Jim
“Part book, part CD-ROM, I’ll Grant You That is an all-in-one resource for finding funds, designing winning projects, and writing powerful proposals.” (Catalogue)

 

Philanthropy revolution : how to inspire donors, build relationships and make a difference / Greer, Lisa
“In the first book on philanthropy written from a donor’s perspective, businesswoman and philanthropist Lisa Greer lifts the lid on our charitable sector, with an authentic account that describes exactly how outdated the sector has become and why it’s at risk of collapse.” (Catalogue)

 

Other resources

Funding HQ is a platform helping people build fundraising capability and capacity in an easy, cost-effective way. For its passionate founder Jenni Giblin it’s the culmination of an already highly successful fundraising career.

Fundraising Institute of New Zealand
Fundraising Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) is the professional body that represents fundraising in New Zealand. 

From Philanthropy New Zealand is Match Te Puna Taurite that aims to connect those with funds to those that seek them. If you are a charity you can sign up to the service to post funding requests and get in front of multiple funders with one action. 

Hui E! is a peak body organisation for the tangata whenua, community and voluntary sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. The Hoa Pūtea Moni Grant Writing Support programme matches skilled volunteers with community organisations that need support to apply for grants and funding.

As a not for profit there may also be helpful information available via the Community Net Aotearoa site.
Community Net provides An online hub of resources designed to strengthen organisations and communities.
 

If you would like further information please contact the Prosearch team at the library. We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources. All enquiries are treated in confidence.

Why leadership at the board level in the Not-for-Profit sector is essential. Guest blog

Linda

Today’s blog is reproduced with kind permission of Pierre Woolridge.

Pierre, Effective governance, has distilled his many years of experience in roles with not-for-profit organisations, along with his work in strategic and business planning, into the recently published Getting to grips with Not-For-Profit governance : a snappy new book for new directors of incorporated societies wanting to get up to speed quickly and with confidence.

“With 24, 000 incorporated societies registered in Aotearoa, involving an estimated half a million volunteers in governance roles, Pierre’s aim is for his book to provide those newly elected to a board or a committee to get up to speed quickly and with confidence”.

In this piece Pierre discusses why leadership is critical in the NFP sector.

Leadership at the board level is essential

Leadership is a critical component of any organisation, but it is especially important in the not-for-profit sector (NFP) with its numbers of volunteers. As a board member, you are responsible for help to set the direction of the organisation and ensuring that it is fulfilling its mission. This requires strong leadership skills, including the ability to inspire and motivate others, make tough decisions, and communicate effectively.

The importance of leadership at the board level in the not-for-profit sector

The importance of effective leadership in the not-for-profit sector cannot be overstated. Here are some reasons why:

  • First, not-for-profit organisations often have multiple stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and the community. Effective leadership is essential to ensuring that all constituents are fully on board with the organisation’s mission, vision, and results. This requires strong communication skills, the ability to inspire and motivate others, and a deep understanding of the organisation’s mission and values.
  • Secondly, not-for-profit organisations often face unique challenges that require innovative solutions. This is particularly so, as the bulk of the NFPs have board members who are volunteers. Effective leadership is essential to identifying these challenges and developing creative solutions that meet the needs of the organisation and its stakeholders. This requires a willingness to take risks, think outside the box, and be open to new ideas and perspectives.
  • Thirdly, not-for-profit organisations are often under-resourced and face significant financial constraints. Effective leadership is essential to managing these constraints and ensuring that the organisation is making the most of its resources. This requires strong financial management skills, the ability to prioritise and make tough decisions, and a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

In addition to these reasons, effective leadership in the not-for-profit sector is also essential for building trust and credibility with stakeholders, attracting and retaining top talent, and achieving the organisation’s mission and goals.

Balancing Stakeholder Demands with Mission and Values

One of the key challenges facing not-for-profit organisations is the need to balance the demands of stakeholders, including donors, volunteers, and the community, with the organisation’s mission and values. Effective leadership at the board level is essential to achieving this balance and ensuring that the organisation remains true to its purpose.

To be an effective leader in the not-for-profit sector, it is important to have a clear understanding of the organisation’s mission and values, as well as the needs and expectations of stakeholders. You should also be willing to listen to feedback and be open to new ideas and perspectives.

Qualities of Effective Leadership in the Not-for-Profit Sector

  • Understanding the organisation’s mission and values
  • Listening to feedback and being open to new ideas
  • Commitment to ongoing learning and development
  • Ability to inspire and motivate others
  • Making tough decisions
  • Communicating effectively

As a new or aspiring board member, it is important to recognise the importance of leadership in the not-for-profit sector and to take steps to develop your own leadership skills. By doing so, you can help ensure that your organisation is well-positioned to achieve its mission and make a positive impact in the community.

******************************************************************************

Watch Pierre’s interview with Brent Edwards from NBR, in which they delve into the book’s contents, exploring topics such as:
– Why join the board/committee of an incorporate society?
– Do your values to align with the organisation’s?
– What’s the board looking for in a new director?
– Problems with personal agendas
– Profits are a dirty word – surplus are just fine
– Added responsibilities with the Incorporated Societies Act 2022
– Are boards ready for the big impact?

Read:

Getting to grips with not-for-profit governence : a snappy book for new directors of incorporated societies wanting to get up to speed quickly and with confidence / Woodridge, Pierre
“This book provides essential guidance for new and aspiring committee and board directors. Getting to Grips with Non-for-Profit Governance is the first printed NZ-specific book on governance on sale to the public for years. The book has been published against the backdrop of the new Incorporated Societies Act 2022. Getting to Grips with Not-for-Profit Governance provides the basics you need to know as a new or aspiring director.” (Catalogue)

Learn:
Supporting community governance in Aotearoa
Te tautoko i ngā mana whakahaere hapori ki Aotearoa.
We’re here to support great governance of community organisations across Aotearoa.

Māori Governance Video Toolkit
Designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of Māori trustees.

Institute of Directors NZ
“The Institute of Directors is the professional body for directors and is at the heart of New Zealand’s governance community.
We support and enable directors to add value to their organisations and wider communities and prepare them to positively transform the future.”

Charities Services
“Charities Services, Ngā Ratonga Kaupapa Atawhai, is part of the Department of Internal Affairs, Te Tari Taiwhenua, and administers the Charities Act 2005. We strive to be a modern, responsive, risk-based regulator focused on promoting public trust and confidence in the charitable sector and encouraging the effective use of charitable resources.”

About Pierre

Author Pierre Woolridge has based his new book on his decades of experience on the boards of not-for-profits.

His first board position was on a school board. Here he made use of his strategic planning, business planning, financial management, and economics background. He also attended a governance workshop or two run by the New Zealand School Trustees Association. Some years later he attended a UK based, six-month e-course for company board directors.

Prior to being on the school board, Pierre was a director and trustee in charge of investments of the BP and Europa Staff Credit Union.

He’s had the privilege of being elected onto several boards and invited to join or form a couple of brand-new finance (and risk and audit) committees, plus a strategy task force.

Getting to Grips with Non-for-Profit Governance is the first NZ-specific book on governance published for the public in many years.

The Incorporate Societies Act 202, requires all incorporated societies to re-register. They have from 5 October 2023 until April 2026 to do so. Getting to Grips with Not-for-Profit Governance provides the basics need for new directors and committee members.

If you need more information please contact the Prosearch team at the library.  We can help you find information across a range of perspectives and resources.  All enquiries are treated in confidence.