TITLE AND LEVEL: 

Fundraising Basics - Four Steps, Three Key Areas and the Vital Partnership of Two (Workshop level -- Introductory or intermediate)

PRESENTERS:

Kippy Rudy, President of the Board of VSA arts of Maine and professional development director, and David Webster, Executive Director, VSA arts of Maine
Contact David Webster - VSA arts of Maine, (dwebster@maine.edu) 

TYPE OF SESSION: Workshop

SESSION STRAND: Organizational Strength

SESSION TRACK:	Staff and board

SESSION DESCRIPTION:

We will focus upon four basic steps, and related details for organizing fundraising ("Four Basic Steps"); cover proven approaches ("Three Key Areas"), and explore the relationship between board president and executive director--how they work together to train, motivate and coordinate all involved ("Vital Partnership of Two").  

CONTENT DESCRIPTION: 


There are four basic steps to fundraising. Make a plan, prepare, do your homework and ask.  Each step is important for laying the foundation for the next.  As they say, "luck often comes to those who work hard at creating it."

We will discuss how to create a solid case study. In addition, people give to people so we will study prospect development and how to recruit and organize leadership and volunteers.  Once prepared we plan and we ask. We ask our team, then set achievable steps for asking others.  

This workshop will also cover three specific, "key areas" for solicitation. We will discuss individual donors, business/corporations and foundations. Each requires adjustments to the four basics of fundraising.  

The "vital partnership of two" suggests that the board chair and executive director form a unique relationship that will guide the organization and the board/volunteers. We will talk about the board/staff relationship and the process of motivating and training board and volunteers to ask for money. 

Development work requires careful thought and planning. This can be done in a spirit of fun and great respect for those we wish to engage in supporting our work, as well as for ourselves.  Do all this, and a little "luck" will come our way.  


TWO LEARNER OUTCOMES: 

Those new to development will leave with adequate details to begin to build a fundraising plan. Those more experienced will have an opportunity to think about and discuss how to implement a successful plan. 

All participants will leave with resources, handouts outlining how to develop a fundraising plan as well as outlines for training board, staff and volunteers in fundraising. Participants will leave having considered the important issue of the working relationship between staff and volunteers. 

SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Both presenters have a developed a wide assortment of materials from which to draw upon. Kippy has been a successful development director for over ten years and frequently conducts fundraising training in Maine.  David has been the director of VSA arts of Maine and involved in fundraising for eighteen years.  

