Fundraising   View RSS Feed Last updated 4/7/2008

Fundraising, for many nonprofits, is often the only way to raise the funds needed to support both the programs, as well as the facilities, of an organization. Successful fundraising can take many forms, but does require knowing your organization and having a plan. This topic area includes resources for fundraisers at every level with useful information on everything from fundraising strategies, planned giving, contacting donors, and event planning.

Development Management
Development Management is the infrastructure of an organization handling the elemental, underlying framework constructed by its administrators. This area contains activities such as behavioral and ethical accountability, campaign and event budgeting, job descriptions, strategic planning and staff development. The dominant paradigm in development management is to oversee all dealings in fundraising and its project cycle to ensure alignment of the organization’s objectives and guidelines.
Donor Management
Donor Management is the process of governing incoming funds and maintaining donor relations. All donors, efforts and proceeds in a fundraising event should be recognized. Some nonprofit organizations acknowledge donors in an annual report, personally or at a public event. Grantors and stakeholders may be included.
Fund Development
Fund Development is the process of identifying, collecting and allocating funds for a specific purpose. Fundraising can be a component of fund development in addition to other capital campaigns, grants, corporate giving, direct mail, donations, donors, earned incomes, endowments, grant writing, gifts, investing, matching, soliciting, special events or stakeholders.
Fundraising Activities
Fundraising Activities include the expenses, financial dealings [or reports] and revenues that affect the net assets of a nonprofit organization. They also include all of the efforts and initiatives involved in the variety of fundraising campaigns and special events. All fundraising proceeds should be reported and are found on an organization’s financial statement.
Legal & Policy Considerations
Legal & Policy Considerations are the factors governing sound judgment and lawful decision-making. An organization must be aware of the responsibilities entrusted in them to reduce legal ramifications and lawsuits. Fundraising supports the legalities with contracts, donor bill of rights, and federal and state filing requirements. Some laws include restriction of funds for specific purposes, prevention of giving funds to disqualified persons, deterrence of raising funds for unlawful purposes, etc