Fundraising & Grantseeking Resources

Charitable donations are an essential part of most nonprofit's budgets and allow an organization to carry out services and its mission. It is critical that nonprofits have a wide variety of funding sources in order to be sustainable over the long term. The following resources can help organizations prepare for fundraising and learn about a variety of funding sources in Minnesota.

Individual Giving

Individual donors are a strong funding source for Minnesota nonprofits, accounting for more than 70 percent of total contributions. Individual donor appeals should always be conducted according to the highest ethical standards and clear policies should be adopted to ensure transparent communication with donors and financial responsibility. Nonprofit fundraisers and seekers must always remember that individual giving relies on building strong and successful relationships with donors.

Resources

Tips for Communicating with Donors

With the myriad of messages and messengers competing for attention, how does an organization reach and engage with individuals that care about what it cares about? The answer to this question is at the core of successful fundraising. Whether it’s through traditional methods such as direct mail or through a YouTube video sent to a list of potential donors via email or to Facebook friends, your message must effectively convey:

Why me
What for
Why now
Who says

In addition to an effective message that includes those four elements above, keep in mind that people give to organizations where they:

Believe in the mission
Believe that the organization is stable
Feel involved and valued
High regard for the leadership of the organization

They will not give:

Out of guilt and obligation
Simply because they’ve received promotional materials and proposals
For tax considerations alone

Additional Resources:

Sample gift receipt - COMING SOON
Sample thank you letter - COMING SOON