Random thoughts on starting and funding new programs or projects. A poster to a LinkedIn forum described a plan to re-forest a mountain in AZ. He was asking for advice on how to finance a nursery to grow the trees that would go on the mountain later.
I asked a few questions that I want to repeat here, in generic form:
Do you have a registered nonprofit organization?
Do you have a track record of success with fund raising and/or programs?
If you can answer 'yes" to both questions, then grant money might be available. That's one funding option.
If you are really new, your fundraising options are a bit more limited. There might not be any point in pursuing grant money, or using snail mail to ask for money, or using the Web to raise some money. You have to network first, and raise money from locals.
The old-fashioned tactics for raising money are still available to you. Be original though. Everyone holds car washes and sells candy. What else can you sell, or do for people, to raise some money? Clearing snow off of driveways might work for you in Minnesota in the winter. Selling bottled water at intersections on a summer day might work anywhere.
Take a few minutes to right down fundraiser ideas. Record everything without regard for how practical the idea is. You can always drop the crazy ideas later. You might be able to find something to do that's new and interesting, and practical.
You can use that advice to fund a big project, like re-foresting a mountain, or for smaller objectives.
Your big nonprofit plan needs to be broken down into interim objectives. Each objective needs to be broken down into action steps. You could work on raising money for each objective in turn rather than trying to raise the full amount you need from the very beginning.
Each objective will have resource requirements. Once you know those resource requirements you will know how much money you need to raise. And don't fixate on money here. Some actions require money - you can't lease office space with candy - but not all actions are like that. Look for donations of goods or labor or professional services.
In conclusion - When financing something big, break down the work into action steps and figure out creative ways to pay for each. Don't bother with grants or on-line fundraising if you are new.
I asked a few questions that I want to repeat here, in generic form:
Do you have a registered nonprofit organization?
Do you have a track record of success with fund raising and/or programs?
If you can answer 'yes" to both questions, then grant money might be available. That's one funding option.
If you are really new, your fundraising options are a bit more limited. There might not be any point in pursuing grant money, or using snail mail to ask for money, or using the Web to raise some money. You have to network first, and raise money from locals.
The old-fashioned tactics for raising money are still available to you. Be original though. Everyone holds car washes and sells candy. What else can you sell, or do for people, to raise some money? Clearing snow off of driveways might work for you in Minnesota in the winter. Selling bottled water at intersections on a summer day might work anywhere.
Take a few minutes to right down fundraiser ideas. Record everything without regard for how practical the idea is. You can always drop the crazy ideas later. You might be able to find something to do that's new and interesting, and practical.
You can use that advice to fund a big project, like re-foresting a mountain, or for smaller objectives.
Your big nonprofit plan needs to be broken down into interim objectives. Each objective needs to be broken down into action steps. You could work on raising money for each objective in turn rather than trying to raise the full amount you need from the very beginning.
Each objective will have resource requirements. Once you know those resource requirements you will know how much money you need to raise. And don't fixate on money here. Some actions require money - you can't lease office space with candy - but not all actions are like that. Look for donations of goods or labor or professional services.
In conclusion - When financing something big, break down the work into action steps and figure out creative ways to pay for each. Don't bother with grants or on-line fundraising if you are new.
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