Fundraising & Sustainability Program
The Charles County Charitable Trust is pleased to announce the opportunity for you to receive a scholarship to participate in a comprehensive learning experience. The Fundraising & Sustainability Program has been established to assist nonprofits in the development of individualized annual fundraising plans that integrate fundraising, marketing, and communications to increase overall financial support and assure sustainability.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2019
Notification of Status of Scholarship Application: December 2, 2019
“I was fortunate to have received a scholarship to participate in the first Fundraising and Sustainability Project sponsored by the Charles County Charitable Trust in 2019. The training was extremely well organized and allowed me to work step by step towards creating a comprehensive Fundraising and Sustainability Plan for my agency. I received great advice on implementation and best practices that will allow our nonprofit to grow and improve the quality of services provided.” – Lidiya Belyovska, Executive Director, Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living
Eligibility
To be eligible nonprofit organizations must have IRS recognition as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and operate in Charles County for the benefit of Charles County residents.
Important Dates
Application Deadline: November 1, 2019
Notification of Status of Scholarship Application: December 2, 2019
Registration Cost
While scholarships will be provided to cover the cost of instructors and coaches, each organization must pay a nominal registration fee to cover the cost of refreshments and meals. Up to two individuals from each organization may participate in the Program with the following registration costs:
$50
First Participant
$25
Second Participant
Program Overview
Over a four-month period, the Program will provide monthly sessions, small-group coaching, access to a secure online community, and opportunities for individual consultations with the lead instructor. Up to 18 nonprofit organizations will be selected from among the applicants. Applying organizations are free to decide whether to have one person or two take part. Participants will be expected to take full advantage of the scholarship by attending each of the sessions, making use of the coaching and consultation services, and contributing to evaluations.
This Project operates as a partnership with Maryland Nonprofits and with the Charles County Public Library, which will make its Waldorf West branch available for the seminars.
Session Dates/Times
Session #1: January 23, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session #2: February 27 2020 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session #3: March 26, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Session #4: April 23, 2020 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: Waldorf West Library, 10405 O’Donnell Place, Waldorf, MD
“The resources offered … helped us develop a prepared written annual fundraising plan with specific goals, objectives and strategies. Learning best practices in fundraising, marketing and stewardship along with understanding grant proposals and grant research has been priceless. Our Place Waldorf has already begun to assess and implement effective strategies learned and we are excited to see the long-term impact. Thanks again for all you do to help those in need in our community!!!” – Deanna Gerhart, Executive Director, Our Place Soup Kitchen
Program Elements
- Four in-person sessions, one session per month, focuses on developing a fundraising plan for your organizations. Small group coaching will be integrated into each session.
- Evaluation of where your organization is today and current fundraising processes plus best practices and understanding best return on investments
- Deep dive into marketing and stewardship with a focus on social media and the roles these play in fundraising
- Identification of potential opportunities and obstacles and development of goals for each key fundraising area
- Review of participants’ fundraising plans with feedback plus implementation and evaluation
- Monthly outside assignments to develop greater understanding of how fundraising strategies impact your organization and assure clarity in developing annual fundraising plans.
- Closed online community of learning for all participants to ask questions, get support and resources, and interact as a cohort between sessions. Instructors will monitor and engage with participants daily.
- Direct access, through a private secure portal, for regular communication with lead instructor, allowing you to receive individualized consultation, and share information and data in one spot 24/7 throughout the program.
Lead Instructor
Tom Brush is a nonprofit consultant/coach who partners with nonprofit leaders and organizations to design strategies to further engagement with their constituencies, effectively manage volunteers and boards, increase donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, and creatively steward donors. After spending nearly 25 years working in development and involvement with nonprofits, Tom knows what drives engagement and increased giving. He is also Associate Consultant for Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations.
Overall Outcomes
At the end of this program, participants will have gained:
- A well-rounded understanding of the components of an effective fundraising program and use of that understanding to evaluate and improve’ current fundraising efforts
- A command of best practices in fundraising, marketing, and stewardship of gifts and ways to apply these practices
- Preparation of a written annual fundraising plan integrating best practices and identifying specific goals, objectives and strategies.
Questions? Contact Susan Petroff at spetroff@charlesnonprofits.org