Major gifts, campaigns and special events are the bread and butter for most non-profit organizations. It\u2019s where the big money comes in and where we spend the most staff time and energy. But I wonder what has happened to the smaller streams of revenue that can pad the bottom line. Have non-profits forgotten how to take fundraising beyond special events and campaigns?<\/p>\n
Fundraising certainly isn\u2019t easy, but it doesn\u2019t always have to be hard either. Non-profits looking to add some cushion to their core revenue streams should look at things like matching gifts, corporate grant programs and memorial programs. These are revenue options that can bring in significant padding to your income and don\u2019t take much time or energy to implement.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m always surprised at how many non-profits don\u2019t promote matching gift programs. For those who aren\u2019t familiar with this concept, matching gifts are gifts that a donor gives and their employer then matches. So for every donor that submits their donation paperwork to a matching gifts program, you get double the donation. How fantastic is that?<\/p>\n
The best part about matching gift programs is that it requires little to no work from your organization. In most cases, the employee submits the paperwork directly to their employer and the company sends you a check. More and more of these programs are moving to an online format and some companies require you to log in to confirm a donation was actually received. The process is quick, easy and brings money in the door.<\/p>\n
Every non-profit should have a reminder about matching gifts on donation forms and online donation screens.<\/p>\n
The corporate grant programs I\u2019m referring to aren\u2019t those that require you to write a 12-page grant application and submit with fingers crossed. There is a different kind of program that more and more corporations are adopting. It\u2019s a volunteer recruitment program with an added bonus of grant money. You submit your volunteer opportunity to a company \u2013 perhaps something like manning a water stop during one of your upcoming walks or bike rides. The company finds a specified number of employees who are willing to volunteer. You get the volunteers and if enough employees volunteer (the number needed varies from company to company) you also get grant money!<\/p>\n
This idea is growing in popularity with companies. My favorite company to refer non-profits to for this purpose is Kohls. They allow you to work directly with individual stores instead of going through the corporate office. Their program is called Associates in Action. You can learn more at http:\/\/www.kohlscorporation.com\/CommunityRelations\/Community04D.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n