Fundraising & Development
Critical Program Function: To identify alternative and additional resources to expand the capacity of the health and social services systems to improve bereavement support services and risk reduction efforts.
Program staff may:
- Prepare and submit proposals for State and Federal funds.
- Collaborate with other community-based organizations, hospitals and professional organizations to develop and submit joint program proposals for State and Federal funds.
- Provide technical assistance to private community-based organizations to prepare and submit their own proposals to funders.
- Advocate and allocate for funding for local and State efforts.
- Develop relationships with businesses, private philanthropic organizations and community services organizations such as the Kiwanis.
These are critical activities that organizations must undertake to support program capacity and sustainability in order to serve their communities better. As most program staff are not trained in fundraising and development, the following section was included to review the basics for both public and private sector programs.
Building a healthy development function begins primarily with strong and valuable programming. What kinds of services does your organization provide? Who are your key audiences? What is your impact? These are just a few of the fundamental questions that will be asked by your potential donors time and time again.
Beyond your organization’s programmatic strengths, there are three key strategies that you should employ: diversify, communicate and say thank you.
