Unlike the buildings that house them, resident service programs usually lack dedicated or reliable funding sources, leaving service coordinators scrambling to find the necessary money to support their offerings. However, while funding for these programs may not be as prevalent as funding for housing, there is money available. And the resident services coordinators who have a solid understanding
of the basics of fundraising can ensure that their work remains funded.
The following resources are available in the Fundraising section of this manual:
1. The Fundamentals of Fundraising: This document serves as an introduction to resource development, providing information about the different types of grants and donors. It also describes ways to establish contacts and garner more widespread support for an organization.
2. Understanding the Fundraising Process: The five basic steps of fundraising are described in this document. Each step includes a brief description, providing you with a chance to gain a basic understanding of the process. A flowchart of the five steps and how they interact is also included.
3. Sample Profiles for Tracking Your Donors: These documents help to identify and track potential donors and come in three varieties: individual profile, foundation profile and corporate profile. They can be used to provide quick reference information on all of your prospects.
4. Sample Forms for Tracking Donor Visits and Phone Calls: Included in this piece are sample documents used for summarizing pertinent information from meetings and phone calls with prospective donors. Moreover, these documents allow you to plan for future contact with and cultivation of the prospective donor.
5. Sample Letters for Soliciting and Thanking Donors: This document contains a series of five sample letters for a variety of circumstances. Though it is best to tailor letters to your specific organization and needs, those included here can provide a foundation for your work. The letters cover five topics, including introducing yourself, showing appreciation for a meeting and acknowledging a donation.
6. Additional Fundraising Resources: There are several sources for prospective donors listed in this document. It provides information on how to learn about various corporate, individual and foundation prospects.
