Marketing and Disbursement of funds

1. Marketing and Disbursement of funds

2. Marketing, Fundraising & Disbursement of Funds • For what, exactly, are you raising funds? • Know your community. What can you community tolerate for fundraising? • Which fundraising methods best build your image and the image of the school district? • Fund only projects that are aligned with your mission. Say no to those that take efforts away. • Collaborate with PTO/PTA and booster clubs to create a mutual understanding of goals and objectives. • Establish regular communication between the foundation and the school district.

3. For what are you raising money? • Create a clear case statement. • Articulate what is the need? State this precisely. • Give clear examples of how you know this need exists. • How is the education foundation uniquely able to meet this need? • Clearly state the benefits of meeting this need. • What ate the consequences if this need is not met. TIP: Donors want to give to organizations where they believe they can make an impact. Demonstrate the need you are meeting but do not present it as a sinking ship.

4. Mission Statement A mission statement should be: • Concise • Emotional • Communicates “why” • Specific • Sounds powerful when read aloud as we as written • Test it: Find a person who knows nothing about your foundation. Read it to them. If they do not immediately understand why you are in existence, whom you are serving and change you hope to see go back to the drawing board.

5. Sample Mission Statements • To inspire and fund innovation that fosters critical thinking, collaboration, and authentic learning experiences for every student in the Lincoln Public Schools. • The Education Foundation of Indian River County (EF-IRC) is a non-profit organization that works to enhance our community’s investment in our schools with the goal of achieving excellence for students and educators. • The Mission of the Hillsborough Education Foundation is to engage business and community partners in the support of Hillsborough County Public Schools and the academic achievement of all its students. Our Vision is that Hillsborough County will be recognized for its excellent public schools and as a community committed to having every one of its students succeed. • Our mission is to advance excellence, create champions and build strong community support for lasting change in Oklahoma City Public Schools.

6. Vision Statement • Brief • Future oriented • Inspirational and transformative • Withstand the test of time Example from Conservation International: “We imagine a healthy, prosperous world in which societies are forever committed to caring for and valuing nature, for the long-term benefit of people and all life on Earth.” This is a good example because it states that their work makes the world a better place.

7. Case Statement The case statement is the case for support and usually used in fundraising. It should include: • Mission and vision • History of your organization (or school district) • Facts and figures • The work being done • Pressing needs • Future plans Tip: do not use jargon and keep it positive and hopeful!

9. Types of Fundraising • Direct Ask • End of Year Campaigns • Teacher Recognition • Alumni • Signature Events • Sponsorships • Corporate Grants and Partnerships • Foundation Grants • Planned Giving • Crowdfunding

10. Fundraising Success Strategies • Set expectations: Fundraising takes time and effort • Know your audience • Set the strategy • Use the entire team: • Stewards - Individuals who communicate with and nurture ongoing donors and promote the relationships • Engagers - Individuals who will interact, talk and nurture relationships. • Connectors - Individuals who can leverage networks and make valuable introductions. • Askers - Individuals who understand the skills and timing necessary to ask for the donation. Source: entrepreneur.com Writer: Peter Gasca

11. Gift Acknowledgement • Prompt • Personal • Sincere • Emotional • Include photos, video or other demonstration of the project • Refer to donor’s past support • Include contact information • Don’t ask for another gift

12. Disbursement of Funds • Mini-Grants to teachers to fund a pilot program • Adoption of a major district wide initiative or project • Specific one time project • Teacher and staff recognition projects • Student Scholarships • Endowment funds

13. Community Partners • The District is not restricted from accepting gifts, grants or bequests from other similar organizations or from partnering with other educational foundation organizations. • The education foundation is not prohibited from making grants or awards to other organizations or individuals consistent with the LEF’s mission.

15. Gifting Protocol • Gifts/grants to the District are typically restricted • Restrictions must be documented prior to the gift being made and accepted • Develop a process that details what steps must be taken in order for grant funds and other gifts from the LEF to be accepted • Agree on a procedure for distributing funds received from the LEF. (e.g. A teacher grant recipient must submit receipts of purchases made to implement the grant to the Business Manager who will then reimburse the funds.)

16. Gifting Protocol (cont.) • Gifts should specify not only the purpose, but whether funds need to be used by a particular time. • Restricted gifts should not be mingled with the general operating funds of the District. Establish a protocol for return of unused funds. • Know how, when and by whom and to whom progress reports of projects funded the LEF must be submitted.

17. Questions??? Contact Information: Megan Dzwonkowski Executive Director Email: Megan@NJEFP.org Website: www.njefp.org