Issue 34
February 17, 2005

NEWSNOTES is a monthly email newsletter published by Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. It includes items of interest to the nonprofit community in Washtenaw County and the surrounding areas, as well as resources available at NEW. Encourage your friends and colleagues to join over 500 other NEWSNOTES subscribers!

NEW would like to recognize the generous support of its Community Partners:

IN THIS ISSUE

LEAD STORY

Fundraising: The Importance of Setting Realistic Goals

By Patricia H. McAbee, Custom Development Solutions (CDS)*

When an organization becomes serious about raising funds to support budgetary needs and/or capital projects it is vital to establish realistic goals based on sound research and thorough planning. Realistic goals are a reflection of the organization’s understanding of its financial structure and its capability to challenge existing funders and prospective donors.

A professional feasibility study or planning assessment is one way to assess the viability of funding goals. In a professionally directed study, confidential interviews are conducted with organizational and community leaders, donors, potential donors, constituents, vendors and others to determine the viability and level of acceptance of the priorities and goals. After careful evaluation of the data, a realistic goal can be set that is based upon personal opinion, a strong case for support, identified volunteer leadership and potential donors.

It is good to aim high – to challenge those who care about the organization’s mission to stretch themselves to new levels of support – while remaining realistic. Challenges that are successfully met engender renewed commitment. With that fresh energy comes enthusiasm, involvement, and interest. Meeting challenges ignites positive energy within people. Setting challenging goals that are realistic enough to be met, is the first step to achieving those goals. As CDS President, David Phillips, has said, “Nothing is more discouraging than running a great campaign and coming up a few thousand dollars short of the minimum goal.”

When setting funding goals, the first consideration should be the organizational needs. Are the program goals going to require funds that are far too great – or are the program goals too small to warrant a capital campaign? The wisest leaders will budget to a plan rather than plan to a budget. Establish the goals of the organization then determine what resources are needed to achieve those objectives. From there, the picture of funding needs begins to emerge.

Consider how much money is needed to fund specific new projects, such as land acquisition, new construction, renovations, programs and endowment. Preliminary costs should be established as accurately as possible. What portion of current income can be allocated to the new projects? Which income sources are most reliable? Which are least reliable? Which income sources have the most growth potential? When you understand your budgetary strengths, and weaknesses, you are better prepared to initiate a fundraising campaign to reach specific funding goals.

According to Thomas Jeavons and Rebekah Basinger in their book, Growing Givers’ Hearts, “it takes an honest, clearheaded examination of the organization’s capacities, strengths, and weaknesses, and those of its constituencies, to avoid the trap of fundraising expectations that are too great or too small.” They explore three issues that organizational leaders should carefully consider when setting goals. “First, organizational leaders should assess the potential for increased giving present within the existing donor base. ... Second, organizational leaders need to be realistic about the number of development staff needed to reach the hoped-for funding goals. ... Third, organizational leaders must be realistic in assessing the capacity of board members to “give or get” funds for the [organization].”

As this passage points out, setting goals too high is not the only risk. All too often organizations aim too low when setting fundraising goals. In an atmosphere of scarcity the leadership may believe there are simply too few donors or too little wealth to attain any degree of growth in contributions. This attitude of doom and pessimism translates into loss of not only funding potential, but a loss of the very elements of enthusiasm and encouragement that can be attained through successfully meeting challenges. Professional guidance through a feasibility and planning study is a practical way to establish an appropriate fundraising goal.

When a realistic goal is set – and achieved – the leaders, donors, and larger community of supporters share the excitement and pride in the accomplishment. There is usually a great deal of positive momentum created by this success. If the needs have grown or the cause warrants additional funding, a challenge goal may be considered that compels new giving. As with the initial goal, a challenge goal should be achievable. Successful fundraising involves a number of strategic factors that are determined through careful study and planning. One of the most important factors for success in fundraising is setting a realistic goal.

*Patricia McAbee is a Vice President with Custom Development Solutions (CDS) a fundraising consulting firm, specializing in the strategic planning and tactical direction of capital campaigns for nonprofits throughout the United States and Canada.

Additional Resources:

• Fundraising Free Press from CDS. Find many articles to help you with fundraising strategies. Subscribe to this free e-zine.
  
• Carter McNamara’s Basics in Developing Your Fundraising Plan — an online self-study module.
  
• See the newly-unveiled Resource Connect at NEW’s website, for print and web resources as well as people and companies providing expertise.
  
• ”How to Develop a Fundraising Plan.”
  
• “Are You Ready to Fundraise?”
  
• “Best Laid Plans.”

FEATURED ITEMS

Announcing ResourceConnect!

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW) is proud to announce the launch of ResourceConnect, an online resource directory for nonprofits in Washtenaw County and surrounding areas. This easily searchable database of service providers, websites, and print materials will help you find resources to meet all of your management needs. Listings include a mix of local, regional, and national resources, so your organization is sure to find what you’re looking for. Plus, use our online submission form to share your favorite resources with others. ResourceConnect covers a wide range of topics, including the following and more:

Visit ResourceConnect today!

Nonprofit Enterprise at Work would like to thank the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation for their generous support of ResourceConnect.

Keep Your Board Sharp and Effective with NEW's Onsite Board Training

Board training is a critical element of your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission and serve the community successfully. Yet, a regional study showed that only 12% of boards ever utilize training options to help them become more effective. NEW’s Onsite Board Training program offers hands-on training for your Board of Directors. You can choose from our five training modules to fit your board’s unique needs:

• Nonprofit Board Basics**
• Building a High Performing Board
• Board Survival Skills: Crisis-Free Transitions
• Board and Staff Relations
• Dollars and Sense (an overview of recent changes in fiscal oversight)
  (** = our most requested module)

Each module is a 2-3 hour class, easily delivered at a time and location convenient for you and your Board of Directors. The cost for Onsite Board Training is a base fee of $400 plus $10 per person.

To schedule an Onsite Board Training session, please contact Andrew Steck (734-998-0160 ext. 211).

Visit NEW’s website for more details.

Spring Workshop Series at NEW

Strengthen your organization by investing in training for staff, volunteers, and board members in all aspects of nonprofit management. NEW’s Managing for Nonprofit Excellence workshop series focuses on fundraising this year, but offers half-day and full-day courses in many other topics as well. Review all the choices and register soon to guarantee your place.

Questions? Contact Dallas Moore (734-998-0160 x210).

Office Space Available at NEW Center

Is your nonprofit living out of portable filing boxes? Operating from a board member’s basement? Improve your organization’s efficiency by renting office space at the NEW Center. Besides below-market rate rent, your 501(c)(3) will benefit from shared office equipment, conference rooms and a full kitchen.

Contact Lia Stevens (734-998-0160 x203) for more details.

Pfizer Community Grants

Pfizer Global Research and Development has announced a new grant cycle to support programs in three focused areas of giving: arts and culture, healthcare and science education. They focus their giving in the Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti communities, but also fund in surrounding areas where Pfizer employees live. Beginning this year, Pfizer will be accepting applications once a year — the deadline is March 15, 2005. Grants awarded cover activities from September 2005 to December 2006.

Use this link to find the online application form and guidelines. NEW is providing a series of training sessions on the use of the online form: See the training calendar for a choice of dates and times for two-hour sessions to be held at Washtenaw Intermediate School District.

Questions about the online form? Contact Rebecca Domegan. (734-998-0160).

Other questions? Contact the Pfizer Community Grants Program.

Beim Foundation Funding

The Beim Foundation, a small family foundation headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is pleased to announce that it will begin to award grants to nonprofit organizations in the greater Ann Arbor area. Five areas of interest will be considered: human services, education, arts, environment and capacity building.

The deadline for human services and education proposals is set for February 28, 2005. Please pay close attention to the Foundation’s funding priorities and eligibility requirements. Support is limited to programs that have been operating for three years or fewer. Arts, environment, and capacity building grant proposals must be received in Minneapolis by August 29. Find more specific information on the Foundation’s website.

Ann Arbor Thrift Shop Grants

The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop is now accepting applications for funding from social service agencies. The deadline is March 31, 2005. Visit their website for an application or pick one up at the Thrift Shop, 3530 Washtenaw Ave, Ann Arbor.

Best Practices from the Best Managed

Learn from award winners about practices that have made their nonprofits successful. On Monday, March 7, Lawrence Technological University in Southfield is hosting a seminar from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. featuring best practices from four best-managed nonprofits. Experts on the future of giving will present as well, followed by facilitated discussions about management practices.

See further information at the Association for Fundraising Professionals, Greater Detroit website. Reserve your place (cost $25) by contacting the Association (248-478-6076).

Advocacy Workshop

Strengthen your voice in important public policy debates by gaining a better understanding of rules governing your participation in the policy process. The Alliance for Justice is offering “Worry-Free Advocacy: Dos and Don’ts for Nonprofits” at two locations in Michigan.

• Detroit area: Tuesday, March 15, 12 noon to 3:30 p.m.
  Detroit Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, 1776 West Warren, Detroit.
• Lansing area: Wednesday, March 16, 8:30 a.m. to noon
  Child and Family Services, 2157 University Park Dr., Okemos.

The attorney-trainer will teach you the rules so that you can answer questions such as: What is lobbying? How much can our 501(c)(3) lobby? Can we produce a voter's guide or invite candidates to speak? The $40 fee includes lunch or light breakfast and materials.

Register online or by phone 866-675-6229.

New Business Ventures for Nonprofits

In these times of tight money, your organization needs to find innovative ways to diversify its funding base. One way is to develop a business venture. To learn more, attend the The Grantsmanship Center’s New Business Ventures for Nonprofits Workshop in Detroit from March 7 to 9, 2005. In this intensive 3-day workshop, experts will show you how to plan, finance, and develop a viable business—and how to accomplish this without undercutting your agency's core mission. Using real-life examples, the workshop will help you sort through the issues involved in developing a new business, demystify the process, and let you decide if enterprise development is in fact appropriate for your agency.

Detroit Workforce Development Department is sponsoring the workshop, which is limited to 30 participants. To see an overview of the class and register, visit the The Grantsmanship Center’s website. The fee is $575.

The local contact for more information is Tabia Coulibaly (313-876-0584 x211).

Workshops at VAST

The Volunteer Accounting Service Team of Michigan (VAST) is offering several new classes to help nonprofits improve efficiency. See more details on these workshops as well as other offerings at the VAST website.

• Starting Off Right: The Basics of Bookkeeping
  Wednesday, February 23, 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. $30
• Working Together: What Are Our Options?
  Tuesday, March 15, 4:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Learn about the different options available for working with other organizations, including partnerships, joint ventures, collaborations and mergers $30

For more information and to register, contact Mitzy Sharp Futro, JD, Director, Nonprofit Services Program, (313-647-9620, x205).

NPower Trainings

Take advantage of NPower Michigan’s array of training sessions to gain confidence in the technology sphere. Classes are offered in Detroit and Grand Rapids.

Workshops in Lansing

The Michigan Nonprofit Association has posted a listing of workshops to address nonprofit issues. See details and register online.

Facility Planning Sessions

The Nonprofit Facilities Center in Detroit, a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, is hosting a series of spring workshops to help nonprofits assess the impact of a facility project on the financial well-being of an organization. Starting with “Are you Ready?” on March 3, the series covers planning, funding strategies, decision making, and hiring the project team. Times and fees vary. Visit the website for more information and to register.

Multi-Tenant Nonprofit Centers

Have you and your colleagues envisioned a building with multiple nonprofit tenants? Not sure how to make it happen? Learn more about the possibilities of developing multi-tenant nonprofit centers at a workshop Wednesday, March 9, 8:30 a.m. - noon at Hannan House in Detroit. Cost is $35.

If interested, contact Diane Kaplan Vinokur 734-647-2553.

Nominate Volunteers for the Governor's Service Awards

Governor Jennifer Granholm and First Gentleman Dan Mulhern will honor Michigan's outstanding volunteers at The Governor’s Service Awards dinner in Dearborn on June 18, 2005. Show your appreciation of your dedicated volunteers by nominating the most outstanding among them for an award in one of eight different categories. For the first time this year, the Governor’s Service awards will join with the Carter Partnership Awards to elevate and align statewide volunteer recognition. Former First Lady Rosalyn Carter will be in attendance at this year’s award ceremony to recognize outstanding campus-community partnerships in Michigan.

More details about the awards, as well as nomination forms, are available at the Michigan Community Service Commission’s (MCSC) website. Contact Mary Grill (517-335-7875) with questions. Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, March 18, 2005.

Reminders

• Deadline for letter of intent for the African American Endowment Fund Grant Program (AAACF) is March 2.
• NPower Tech Inventory Day, March 12
• Community Based Learning Project Fair, March 15
  

REGULAR FEATURES

Nonprofit Bulletin Board

Visit NEW's Nonprofit Bulletin Board to post and view notices about free resources, fundraising opportunities, and other items relevant to the southeast Michigan nonprofit community.

Events Calendar

Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar of events. E-mail Nick Miller to request a password to submit an event.