Archives:

Select:

An insider's guide to funding afterschool: Stewarding a donor

READ FULL STORY

An insider's guide to funding afterschool: Stewarding a donor

What is stewardship? It’s the process by which a relationship is nurtured through communications and activities once a gift has been made. It’s about keeping a donor engaged between solicitations. Stewardship post gift is similar to cultivating a prospect before a solicitation has been made (see September blog post on IQCSS).

  1. Stay thank you – immediately and frequently.

Within 24 hours, call - or at the least send an email - thanking them for the donation. A formal thank you letter, signed by the principal or director, should be sent to the foundation within a week. If your school or program is a non-profit organization, be sure to include in the letter “No goods or services were provided in exchange for this contribution. XYZ School is an exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; EIN ##.”

For an even bigger impact, have some children in the program send a handwritten note. Don’t forget to send a card around the holidays, especially Thanksgiving, to show your gratitude.

  1. Create a donor club or honor roll.

Ask the foundation if it would be ok to publicly acknowledge the donation on your website, social media or program brochure. Perhaps create a giving honor society segmented out by dollar amounts. For example:

GOLD LEVEL: $50,000 and above

SILVER LEVEL: $25,000-$49,999

BRONZE LEVEL: $10,000 - $24,999 and

COPPER LEVEL: $1,000 - $9,999

Invite the foundation to visit your program, take a picture with representatives at the wall and upload it to your webpage or newsletter. To be more memorable, place the picture in a frame and send to the foundation.

  1. Involve the funder in your activities

Invite the donor to visit your program to let them see how their donation is being put to good use. Prep your students and staff before-hand so they are comfortable discussing their thoughts on the program. Invite the foundation to other events including recitals and program open houses.

  1. Send a grant report/request for additional funding

Typically foundations require progress and/or final reports on the project. It’s critical to stay abreast of this reporting. Even if the foundation doesn’t require any formal reporting, it’s always good form to send at least a final report at the end of the grant period. Restate the problem that needed funding and share your outputs and results – positive and negative. Include updates on individual students who have gone through the program and what they got out of it.

To request second round funding, layout your next steps. Do you plan to increase the number of students from the previous year? If your request is larger than the previous year, spell out your fundraising plan – show the foundation that you are not relying solely on them. Outline your goals and activities to reach those objectives.

In closing, be memorable. Stewardship is a vital part of your fundraising program – as important as the solicitation.

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

Up to $30k for programs improving family literacy, engagement, leadership

The National Center for Families Learning (NCFL) is seeking program proposals for the Sharon Darling Innovation Fund (SDIF) Family Learning System Challenge. This funding opportunity will award up to $30,000 to organizations that are developing and implementing innovative programs and strategies...

BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/18/23

Check your afterschool program's eligibility for Yield Giving grants

In the past three years, MacKenzie Scott has shaken up traditional philanthropy by granting high-dollar awards to nonprofits in a variety of fields, including afterschool and summer learning. Until now, programs had no way of applying for or expressing interest in these awards.  At the end...

BY: Nicole Pettenati      04/11/23

Workforce Pathways for Youth grants available

In March, the Department of Labor published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for Workforce Pathways for Youth Grants. A pre-recorded applicant webinar will be available by April 14, 2023 and applications will be due May 19, 2023. The grants offer up to $2 million to national out-of-school time...

BY: Jillian Luchner      04/07/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

New Wallace Foundation and EdCounsel resource offers opportunities to discover funding streams and develop partnerships

This July, The Wallace Foundation launched a new free resource created by EducationCounsel (EdCounsel): “Using Federal Funds for Summer Learning and Afterschool: A New Guide for Providers, School Districts, and Intermediaries” to help out-of-school time providers and leaders, school and...

BY: Sophie Kidd      08/09/22

Funding opportunity: National grant initiative for civic learning projects

By Frances Hannan, Program Officer for the WW Higher Education Media Fellowship and the Director of Multimedia Projects at the Institute for Citizens & Scholars. The Civic Spring Fellowship has open applications for two innovative grant initiatives that will support young people looking to...

BY: Guest Blogger      04/04/22

States put kids first with new revenue streams

Several new state revenue streams are emerging in states from Alaska to Maryland, and lawmakers in those states are recognizing the value of investing in young people and families with the funds generated. In Louisiana, revenue from sports gambling is being used to support early childhood...

BY: Jen Rinehart      03/17/22

Now open: The New York Life Foundation offers grants up to $100,000 for OST programs serving middle school youth - apply now!

The New York Life Foundation’s 2024 Aim High grant competition is now open for applications! A total of 40 grants totaling $1.8 million will be awarded to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving middle school youth. This marks the 8th year of the Aim High grant...

BY: Tiyana Glenn      12/12/23

$1.8M awarded to middle school out-of-school time programs

The New York Life Foundation and the Afterschool Alliance are pleased to announce the 2023 Aim High grant recipients. Now in its seventh year, the Aim High grant has provided a total of $9.75 million dollars to afterschool, summer and expanded learning programs that help middle school students...

BY: Dan Gilbert      06/21/23

Now open: Grants up to $100,000 from the New York Life Foundation for Out-of-School Time (OST) programs

The New York Life Foundation is seeking applications for $1,800,000 in grants to afterschool, summer, or expanded learning programs serving underserved middle-school youth. This is the seventh year of the Foundation’s Aim High grant competition, and this year’s awards will bring...

BY: Dan Gilbert      12/06/22

New Wallace Foundation and EdCounsel resource offers opportunities to discover funding streams and develop partnerships

This July, The Wallace Foundation launched a new free resource created by EducationCounsel (EdCounsel): “Using Federal Funds for Summer Learning and Afterschool: A New Guide for Providers, School Districts, and Intermediaries” to help out-of-school time providers and leaders, school and...

BY: Sophie Kidd      08/09/22