FUNDAMENTALS OF FUNDRAISING

Raise money to support what matters.Fundraising isn’t about money -- it’s about your mission. When writing

to ask for money (whether it’s a fundraising letter or grant application),

highlight the work you’re doing to make a difference and tell your

donor how they’ll be a part of it.

People give to people.People are behind the foundations, corporations, and government agencies

that you might appeal to for a grant or donation. Find out as much as possible

about prospective supporters to help you build meaningful and lasting

relationships.

“People give because someone asked them.”

Be accountable; be ethical.Be transparent to the community

and to those who are helping

support your work. Part of this

includes sharing results -- for

example, giving tours to show

your donors that their financial

support made a tangible

difference.

Start with a plan.Before you can reach out to individuals and institutions, you need to have a

plan and a goal. Make a list of people and places you will ask for funding

and how much. Decide when you’ll write your letters and/or apply for grants;

you’ll likely need funding at different points along the way in your project.

Don’t forget, always read the guidelines for any grants you apply for.

Search beyond traditional sources of assistance.Preservation Fund grants are a great place to start. But there are also

many other places to look -- private-sector philanthropies,

corporations and corporate foundations, family foundations, and

community trusts, to name a few. Get creative -- reach out on social

media, host a special fundraising event, think outside the box.

National funding resources:Grants.gov offers a

comprehensive list of federal

grant opportunities. The

National Park Service also

administers a range of grants.

There are many other sources to

check out, such as The Getty,

Tourism Cares, and the

Foundation of the American Institute for Conservation

. Keep looking and you’re sure to

find more.

State funding resources:Talk to someone in your state historic preservation office (SHPO).

Most states administer historic preservation grant or loan programs.

Local funding resources:Reach out to your local historic preservation office. If your community

is a Certified Local Government, it’s eligible to apply for grants that

can help fund a variety of preservation projects. You can also look for

community foundations in your state.

Never give up.Fundraising isn’t magic, nor is it an arcane science. If you can hold a

conversation with a friend, throw a party, write a letter, or draft a report, you

can raise money. It might not be easy or feel totally comfortable at first, but

remember that the more people you ask, the more support you’ll receive.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation works to save America’s

historic places. Preservation Tips & Tools helps others do the same

in their own communities.

For more information, visit blog.preservationnation.org.

Photos courtesy: Specious, Wikimedia; Susana Raab; NWABR, Flickr; Duanebates, Wikimedia; NPCA Photos, Flickr; Eli Pousson, Flickr; EncMstr, Wikimedia; US Army Environmental Command, Flickr; Maralei Bunn, Wikimedia; Duanebates, Wikimedia.