Tips for Thanking Donors & Funders

The following is a list of top tips for thanking donors effectively. It is a great list to keep handy because it can be applied to individuals or foundation donors. The list is mostly common sense, but just like Emily Post shares common sense etiquette advice, we usually know what should be done--just not always how to do it. Enjoy this list and keep it close as a gentle reminder to stay on track with donor cultivating and stewardship.

• Ask donors for advice--it makes them feel valued.
• Focus on the most-loyal donors, and give them the attention they deserve.
• Use organization leaders and board members to call and thank donors.
• Send donors additional materials, such as books or articles about your organization's mission.
• Invite donors on field trips or site visits to see your work first-hand.
• Be specific in your thank-you notes about the results of the donors' gifts.

Adapted from article by Chronicle of Philanthropy

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Book: Careers in Grant Writing

Hello Savvy Readers! Do I have a book for you...Careers in Grant Writing by Caroline S. Reeder!

This book is designed to give novice grant writers the behind-the-scenes scoop about what it really means to have career in the grant writing field. Every grant writer has different challenges, different expectations and certainly different way we communicate with clients or organizations. I have always felt that there is no right way to be a grant writing consultant, but there are a million wrong ways to be one.

Caroline Reeder's book is written with her 15+ years of experience and shares honest, useful information related to:

• What Grant Writers do
• Where Grant Writers work
• What skills and training you need to become  a Grant Writer
• What a typical day on the job as a Grant Writer is like
• How to find a jobs and internships as a Grant Writer

If you are a new or experienced grant writer, this book will give you tips on training, salaries, job searches and more. If you are a writer, former nonprofit employee, venturing nonprofit employee or considering consulting, this book will help you put your best foot forward as you move into an exciting (yes, grant writing is exciting!) career. I had several "a-ha" moments while reading it and appreciated the reminders about seeking clients. I just knew that a book filled with how-to advice for being a grant writer was perfect for Grant Savvy readers! It should definitely be added to your library.
 
About the Author
Caroline S. Reeder started her career as a grant writer more than fifteen years ago. Her first proposal resulted in a grant of $200,000 for a nonprofit affordable housing advocacy organization. That got her hooked. Since then she has written hundreds of proposals resulting in more than a million dollars in funding for a variety of nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
 
Caroline's book, Careers in Grant Writing, can be purchased through Amazon or her website, Careers in Grant Writing.
 
~Cheers!

After the Grant: The Nonprofit's Guide to Good Stewardship

Since I have been preaching the importance of writing a thank you letter to foundation funders, even after rejection, I'm excited to share this new Grant Savvy Book with you!

After the Grant: The Nonprofit's Guide to Good Stewardship was released by the Foundation Center this spring and is filled with instructions, how-to's and case studies for winning grants projects. According to the Foundation Center, "After the Grant is the only book of its kind written on the topic of what should happen after a grant is awarded".

There is a library's worth of books about the grant proposal process, but many often end before the stewardship pieces are discussed and few books include any stewardship guidance for readers. Getting the "yes" is really just the beginning of a relationship with a funder. You've courted, made your move and now the real committment begins. Don't ever overlook the importance of good stewardship with grant funders, government or otherwise. There is always a way to say thank you and to keep funders updated about the work you are able to do with their support--now  more than ever this can impact your chances for funding.

Add After the Grant: The Nonprofit's Guide to Good Stewardship to your bookshelf today and build your strategy to keep funders around for years to come!

~Cheers!

Proposal Rejection: Saying Thank You is Critical

Last week I had the opportunity to share a guest piece with Sandra Sims of Step By Step Fundraising for the Step By Step Fundraising blog. I was thrilled and honored to write about a topic that has been on my mind lately as we approach the middle of the year: Proposal Rejection: Saying Thank You is Critical.

Step By Step Fundraising's mission is to connect you with fundraising strategies for your school or non profit, so you can continue to make a positive impact in the world.

Published since 2003 Step by Step Fundraising, has become a valued resource for the non-profit sector. It has been listed in several print publications and many online sources.

Visit their blog and follow Sandra on Twitter @sandrasims and @sbsfundraising!

Thanks, Sandra and Step By Step Fundraising!

~Cheers

Back On Top In June

"That's life, that's what all the people say.

You're riding high in April,

Shot down in May

But I know I'm gonna change that tune

When I'm back on top, back on top in June."

                                   
~Frank Sinatra (That's Life)

Grant Savvy is ready to be back on top in June! Get ready for guest bloggers, new links for resources and more Savvy books!

~Cheers!

Systems Without Feedback Are Stupid: Evaluation & Grant Writing

Nonprofits are designed to be adaptable and responsive to their changing environments—or at least they should be. An organization must be ready to change when circumstances around them change such as politics, the economy and social expectations. What does this mean for grant writers? A lot.

One of the most important pieces of the grant writing process is evaluation. Funders want to know that you have goals and that you are able to reach them. In your proposal you must have a clearly defined plan of your benchmarks and the ability to measure your success.

As Ed Skloot, Director of the Center for Strategic Philanthropy and Civil Society and Professor of the Practice of Public Policy at the Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University (whew!), once said, “Systems without feedback are stupid”.

As a grant writer, it is imperative that you work with staff and program managers to determine what your organization can achieve and how you will achieve it over a set period of time. You are not the one guiding their program goals, but rather motivating conversation. Becoming an outcomes-oriented organization with funders means that you need to have processes in place before you ask for funding or at least before you receive any grant awards.

Grant writers aren’t simply responsible for getting good ideas on paper and making them great. It is wise to make sure what you are writing about can really happen. Ask the tough questions that will help your organization think about the big picture and design programs that can provide solid feedback to funders.

~Cheers!

Grant Savvy Humor

 

Courtesy: The Chronicle of Philanthropy