Big-Time Fundraising for Today's Schools / Edition 1

by Stanley Levenson

Overview

Covering the entire fundraising process, this comprehensive text offers a wealth of practical strategies for pursuing "big time" grants and gifts for America's public schools.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781412939157
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	12/07/2006
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Foreword by Wendy D. Puriefoy
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. From Needs to Opportunities
There’s Good News on the Horizon
Corporations, Foundations, and Individual Donors Are Interested
The Federal Government Is Involved
Contributions to Worthy Causes Across America Have Increased
The Transfer of Wealth in America Will Help
2. What Is Big-Time Fundraising?
Establishing a Development Office
Hiring Fulltime Staff and Consultants
Specifications for Hiring Fulltime Staff and Consultants
Be Wary of Consultants Who Propose to Work for No Upfront Fees
A Dozen Big-Time Fundraising Strategies That Win Every Time
Roles and Responsibilities in a Big-Time Fundraising Effort
Some School Districts Are Starting to Gear Up
Some Important Issues to Be Aware Of
Issues Are Legitimate
3. Public School Foundations
Public School Foundations
How Are School Foundations Organized?
How to Start Local Education Foundation
How to Start a Local Education Fund
What’s Happening Around the Country?
Twelve School Foundations Making a Difference
4. How to Get Big Gifts From Individual Donors
Why Haven’t We Gone After Big Gifts?
Defining Big Gifts
How to Snare Big Gifts From Individual Prospects
A 21 Step Approach to Securing a Major Gift
Sample Pledge Card
5. Annual Campaigns, Capital Campaigns, and Planned Giving
Annual Campaigns
Capital Campaigns
Planned Giving
Possible Non-Cash Gift Ideas for the Public Schools
Outright Gift of Cash
6. Applying for Corporate and Foundation Grants
Corporate Giving
Foundation Giving
Independent Foundations
Community Foundations
Obtaining Corporate and Foundation Funding is Easier Than You Think
Request for Proposals (RFP)
Direct Contact
Corporate-School Partnerships
The Foundation Center
Reasons for Applying for Corporate and Foundation Funding
7. Strategies, Requests for Proposals (RFP’s), and Resources for Winning Corporate and Foundation Funding
Eleven Step Strategy
Responding to Requests for Proposals (RFP)
101 Foundations and Corporations Interested in Giving to K-12 Schools
8. Writing Winning Minigrants
Needs Assessment, Goals and Objectives
Activities, Evaluation Specifications, Budget
Preparing a Winning Mini-Grant Application
Blank Mini-Grant Program Application
9. Writing Major Grant Proposals That Get Funded
Government Grants
Needs Assessment
Goals and Objectives
Activities
Example of a Timeline Using a Triple “T” Chart
10. Preparing the Evaluation Plan for Your Application
Internal (Formative) Evaluation
External (Third-Party) Summative Evaluation
Using a Third-Party Evaluation Design
Seven Tips to Remember When Designing Your Evaluation Plan
11. Preparing the Application Budget
The Application Budget
Presenting a Budget Format
Providing the Necessary Resources to Adequately Carry Out the Project
Providing the Necessary Detail
Calculating the Direct Costs
Calculating the Indirect Costs
Writing the Budget Narrative
Writing the Dissemination Plan
Writing the Program Summary and Abstract
Fourteen Helpful Hints
12. After You Receive the Grant, Then What?
Announcing Your Grant to the World
Being Good Stewards of All Grants and Gifts
What Happens When Grant Monies Run Out?
13. Some Examples of Winning Grant Proposals
Examples of Winning Mini-Grants (South Washington County Schools, Cottage Gove, MN)
Example of Winning Major Government Grant Proposal (Lubbock-Cooper Independent School District, Lubbock, TX)
14. Conclusions
Resource A: Some Examples of Grant Opportunities for K-12 Schools
Resource B: Sample Ads for Key Positions
Resource C: Sample Cover Letter to Accompany a Grant Application
Resource D: The Foundation Center's Glossary of Funding Terms
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Having applied for and been awarded five mini-grants this year, I feel that Dr. Levenson's book will help me take my grantsmanship to the next level. He provides a blueprint for creating successful school grant writing teams and for obtaining major grants to meet larger needs."

Andrew Goldstein

"A recommended pick for school leaders who wish to move away from small-scale bake sales into big-time fundraising. "

California Bookwatch

"Whether you are a funding novice or a veteran grant writer, Levenson provides information that should be at the fingertips of every educator looking for financial support in today's tight budget era. "

May 2007 Edu-Funds

"This book helps communities leave no stone unturned in the search for funds that will help improve student learning. In shifting our sights to the new world of big-time fundraising, Stan has made a groundbreaking, noteworthy, and lasting contribution to the field of public school improvement and reform. "

From the Foreword by Wendy D. Puriefoy

"Whether you area funding novice or a veteran grant writer, Levenson provides information that should be at the fingertips of every educator looking for financial support in today's tight budget era. "

Edu-Funds

"This book helps communities leave no stone unturned in the search for funds that will help improve student learning. In shifting our sights to the new world of big-time fundraising, Stan has made a groundbreaking, noteworthy, and lasting contribution to the field of public school improvement and reform. "

Wendy D. Puriefoy

"In my pioneer work in the public education foundation movement, and as a former superintendent of schools, I endorse Stan Levenson's suggestions for the role of board members in starting alumni fundraising, the need to listen and establish rapport with prospective givers in a community, and his initiatives for tapping the sources of senior citizens and former teachers. Levenson's acknowledgement that more than 80% of all contributions come from donors fuels the idea that public school education foundations should exist in every community to enhance programs in our K-12 schools. "

Judith R. Rovins

"The author has effectively and painstakingly provided a blueprint that will help individuals and schools achieve success in fundraising. This is a must-read book that could change how public education works, thrives, and ultimately succeeds. "

Gerard A. Dery