This tutorial will walk you through the entire fundraising process, from donor profile checklists to proposal writing guidelines. There is also a list of web resources for funding research.

Part 1 - Getting Ready (Word, 212KB)
This is a selection of documents that will help your nonprofit organize your office and efforts to better meet the demands of fundraising activity.  Included is a definition of a mission statement and a checklist of what you will need to write one for your organization; steps to help you develop an outline for your case statement;  boilerplates and samples of various letters you will need when communicating with your prospect(s); and information to help you organize your files. 

Part 2 - The Process Starts with Identifying Prospects (Word, 195KB)
This is a selection of documents that helps develop an expansive view of the universe of advisory board and donor prospects and the value of networking as a means of identifying prospects.  Included is a list for suggestions of potential prospects for financial support, in-kind support, support for your board or strategic partnerships and definitions of the types of foundations that could be your prospects; ideas of where to look when you need to find information on or research your prospects with a checklist to guide your research efforts; helpful reference materials for researching corporate, foundation or individual prospects; and the four steps in rating your prospects once you have identified them. 

Part 3 - Cultivation (Word, 165KB)
This is a selection of documents that emphasizes the importance of cultivating relationships with prospects.  Included is a graphic that shows the steps to move an identified prospect to a position where he or she is willing to make an investment in your organization; a cultivation/solicitation sample of a blank worksheet on which you can summarize all contact your nonprofit has had with a prospect or donor, and a sample of a completed cultivation/solicitation Worksheet.

Part 4 - Solicitation: Be Prepared (Word, 166KB)
This is a selection of documents to help you review what you should do to prepare for soliciting a prospect.  Included is a checklist of what you will need when preparing a solicitation for a prospect; suggestions to help you think strategically; a list of types of support and how you can use that support; checklists of what you should know about a potential prospect and what they will want to know about you; as well as a sample telephone script and checklist of suggestions when preparing a letter of inquiry. 

Part 5 - The Ask - Personal Solicitation (Word, 119KB)
This document reviews the elements of a personal solicitation, and will prepare you for your role in arranging, participating in and following up on such meetings.  It gives steps you will need to help you get started and make your case.  It prepares you with questions your prospect might ask and makes you ready to ask for their support.  At the close of the meeting, did your prospect make a commitment, resist or respond negatively, object to the amount requested? This list will help you respond to the most common situations. 

Part 6 - Preparing and Submitting a Proposal (Word, 165KB)
This is a section of documents that show you the basic elements of writing a proposal for support. It lists the basic elements you can include in a proposal for support; tips on writing a proposal or presentation; what you need to do to follow up on your proposal; and a summary of the four steps in a solicitation.

Part 7 - Stewardship/Donor Relations (Word, 109KB)
This document emphasizes the importance of maintaining contact with donors and advisory board members in order to strengthen their relationship with you.  Once your organization receives the support, it must comply with the terms of the grant.  This resource gives you suggestions on what you should do if for any reason you must deviate from the original grant; and what, at minimum, donors might require of your organization when reporting on the use of their funds.