I am answering reader questions! Because Wild Woman Fundraising Readers ROCK! 🙂
So what questions are we answering today?
On 11/09/2012 06:01 PM, Sarah wrote:
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> Hola Mazarine!
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> Thanks again for your secrets and blogs, etc.! You ask what we’d like to see more of. I’m great at writing grants but not as great at building a relationship with the foundations. Can you help draw me a picture of how that starts and builds? I know the principles, but imagining it and making it happen is my challenge
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> Thanks so much, and happy Friday!
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> Sarah
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Hi Sarah!
Sure, here’s how to start building relationships with foundations.
1. Start calling the ones that didn’t give you a grant, and ask them what you could do better next time.
2. Then ask if it would be okay if you kept in touch with them from time to time, perhaps twice a year or once a quarter.
3. When they say yes, send them your best paper newsletter with a little note from you attached, explaining the most poignant stories from your programs.
4. Maybe call to check in after 6 months and ask how things are going.
5. Apply again the next year.
6. If you still don’t get it, wash, rinse, repeat, and also note who is on their board who might be sympathetic to your cause. See if one of your board members knows them, or would be willing to ask them out for coffee. It means more to them when a leadership volunteer like a board member contacts them, than someone who is a development coordinator.
Was that useful?
Peace,
Mazarine