The following websites might be helpful as you consider writing a grant/fundraising:
http://www.donorsforum.org
http://www.allianceonline.org/
http://www.boardsource.org/
http://www.chicagononprofit.org/contact/technical
http://www.americorps.gov/
http://www.actforchildren.org/site/PageServer?pagename=Provider_QualityCountsChildCareGrant
Grant Writing Tips:
-A mini grant is a great place to start if you are just beginning your grant writing experience
-Don't be discouraged if your grant is not accepted, keep trying!
-Check out www.donorschoose.org. Some donors may match your money (Lakeshore Learning may match!)
-Your grant needs to be based on a universal problem, not just revolved around one or a few children
-Get the "I want / I need" out of your vocabulary. Instead, remember WHO needs to benefit: THE KIDS!
-You can't do everything alone. Form committees!
-Be sure to integrate your project with your school's mission/vision statement.
-To begin, go to or call a philanthropy Center near you for information and options available.
Financing/Budgeting
-In many cases, our Lutheran schools are not being funded solely by the church any longer. Due to economic times some churches are trying to keep their own doors open. Some schools are expected to be self-funding. Either way, funding a school can be difficult and expensive regardless of school's financial situation. So, what are the options? Here are a few ideas that were discussed at our meeting:
-Check to see if your school qualifies for Thrivent Choice Money (look for the link to Thrivent on the right side) Thrivent Choice lets you recommend where some of Thrivent Financial's charitable outreach funds go by directing Choice Dollars and by participating in Voting Events. This information can be found on the Thrivent website under the "Thrivent Community" heading. (Ask! Your church may already have a Thrivent service representative).
-Be up-to-date with technology! Look into the Thrivent Simply Giving Program. This program is a modern-day stewardship program that is convenient, safe, and simple. Individuals are able to make automatic payments to the school through an electronic funds transfer directly from checking or savings account. Families may prefer to pay this way and then you have the money in your school account every month rather than having to hunt down parents to pay.
-Another alternative funding option would be to ask your congregation and/or school members if their own companies would aide in funding. You may have a parent or member who works for a large corporation that could help. It's worth the inquiry!
-Third source funding: St. Peter Lutheran School in Arlington Heights just recently teamed up with two other churches in the Chicagoland area to open an upscale thrift store called Community Threads located in Buffalo Grove. The store is run mainly by church/school volunteers with a few necessary full-time paid positions. This type of funding has deemed to be beneficial and the store is bringing in enough profit to help with some tuition funding. Be creative! How can your area schools/churches work together to bring in funding?
Are you looking for a company that can assist in collecting timely tuition payments and billing management?
Check out these two companies that some of our Lutheran Schools are using:
http://www.smarttuition.com/
http://www.tads.com/
*If you have further questions and would like to talk with school personnel that are using one of these companies, send me an e-mail.
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| He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! |
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| Ovals! |
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| All-School Project |
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