Strategies to Increase Support

The following is from a professional learning session on school fundraising by ETA Executive Director, Cheri Walsh. Click here to download Power Point of this content.

where do I start?

“WOW!  I received a donation out of the blue with no cultivation, no relationship-building, and no work.”—Said, no one. Ever.

Develop a plan that answers the following questions:

  • What is the division of labor of fundraising for my school? (Who conducts research, writes grants, submits grants, conducts follow up phone calls, schedules meetings, writes ‘thank you’ notes, coordinates the performance of my choir at a council holiday event?)
  • What are the needs in my school that can be reasonably supported by public (city/state) or private (foundation/corporate/individual) dollars? Divide this list into “Capital Projects” and “Programs”.
  • Note:  Capital funding is “easier” to secure.

ELECTED OFFICIALS:
A GREAT PLACE TO START

RESO A FUNDING: YOUR SCHOOL’S NEW BEST FRIEND

  • http://www.nycsca.org/NewsResources/Resources/Brochures/Documents/ResolutionABrochure.pdf
  • State funding that is allocated through the City Council for capital projects with a minimum cost of $35,000.
  • Develop a relationship with your City Councilmember AND his/her staff (Chief of Staff, Community Engagement Director, Scheduler).  Don’t be dismissive of the official’s staffers….they are key to engaging the official as they advise on worthy projects.
  • Call/write to invite your Councilmember and Borough President (or their representative) to tour your school, attend Graduation (they will want to address the audience), or special events (they will want to address the audience).
  • What about those zip codes?  Analyze and leverage them to your advantage.
  • It’s their job to know you and support your school…be persistent.
  • Would a letter of recommendation help?  Ask ETA to provide one demonstrating the strong partnership with your school.
  • When you get the meeting, be prepared with 2-3 capital projects to bring to their attention.  Be strategic.....are you co-located?  Are you thinking of projects that may help all of the schools in the building?

LET’S TALK TIMING

December 31

Submit proposal for Reso A project(s) to your Councilmember or Borough President. (If you are in touch with both offices, be sure to communicate to each office…elected officials do not like surprises.) This means your cultivation work needs to begin ASAP.

April

School notified of project approval by elected official

June

City budget dance

July

City fiscal year starts

August/September

Program under review for capital eligibility and funding

October

SCA receives final budget authorization from Office of Management & Budget

November

SCA begins scope/design process

TAKE PHOTOS, WRITE THANK YOU NOTES, PUBLICLY THANK OFFICIALS AND THEIR STAFF (WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE IN THE ROOM).

State elected officials:
rinse, wash, repeat (JUST EARLIER)

  • Understand the zip codes that your students represent.
  • Your position is especially strong if the majority of your students live in the officials’ district.  Even if your student population is more diffuse, you should cultivate these officials.  Your school is an important part of the district they represent.
  • All of the relationship-building for city officials pertains.
  • Note:  The NYS fiscal year starts April 1st.
  • You want to have your proposals into their office by November 30. (Confirm this timing with your representatives).

WHAT ARE OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO MY SCHOOL?

  • Before you start to fundraise, analyze your capacity as a staff.
  • Set a goal for the number of ‘ASKS’. 
  • Don't use the “WE’LL SEE WHAT STICKS” theory of project management.
  • TALK ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IN YOUR PROPOSAL!!!
  • If you'd like ETA to assist with grant application, please reach out.

CORPORATE & FOUNDATION FUNDING

•Consider a subscription to the Foundation Center http://foundationcenter.org/

IDEAS FOR SOURCES:

Guitar Center:

Website: http://www.guitarcenter.com/pages/corporate-giving

Corporate Giving Focus:
Music inspires creativity and personal expression, builds self-esteem, and teaches cooperation and team building. The benefits of music are well documented and so are the difficulties of sustaining music education programs. Guitar Center considers requests from nonprofits that support music education and from music educators. 

How to Apply:
> Review website for list of required materials to submit
> Requests must be submitted at least two months prior to the date needed and will be reviewed on a monthly basis.

Fender Music Foundation:

Website: http://www.fendermusicfoundation.org/grants/grants-info/

Focus: Provides grant funding and instruments to music education programs nationwide, including directly to schools.

How to Apply: Review website for Eligibility Criteria & Grant Form Instructions

Toshiba America Foundation:

 Website: http://www.toshiba.com/taf/612.jsp

Focus: Wanted: Classroom Innovators! Toshiba America Foundation accepts applications from teachers of grades 6-12 who are passionate about making science and mathematics more engaging for their students.

* Note: think about arts integration projects

How to Apply:
> requests for less than $5,000: no deadline
> requests for $5,000 or more are accepted twice/year: Aug 1st and Feb 1st deadlines
> requests must be for project-based learning
> Online Application

Lowe’s:

 Website: http://www.toolboxforeducation.com/index.html

Lowe’s “Toolbox for Education” Grant Program focus:
Lowe’s donates grants of $2,000 - $5,000 to 1,000 different K-12 public schools and parent teacher groups each year. The preference is for funding requests that have a permanent impact (such as facility enhancement or clean-up type projects), as well as projects that encourage parental involvement and build stronger community spirit.

Limitations: Grants will NOT fund artists in residence, field trips, scholarships, memorials, stipends, or salaries.

How to Apply:
> The Fall 2016 cycle will be open for application submissions from Aug 1st – Sept 26th.
> Check website for application / instructions to be posted at that time.

Target:

 Website: https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/grants

Field Trip Grants:  Target stores award Field Trip Grants (up to $700 each) to K-12 schools nationwide. * Note: In the 2014-15 school year, grants in NYC includes awards to 15 schools in Brooklyn, 7 schools in the Bronx, 7 schools in Manhattan, and 2 schools in Staten Island.

* Note: think about arts / cultural field trips

How to Apply:
>  Grant applications are accepted from Aug 1st – Oct 1st.

Check website for application / instructions to be posted at that time.

Voya Foundation (formerly ING Foundation):

 Website: http://corporate.voya.com/corporate-responsibility/community-investment/childrens-education

Areas of Focus: Children’s Education, Financial Education, Disaster Relief

Children’s Education:
> Voya Unsung Heroes Awards Program: funds innovative classroom projects nationwide (100 grants awarded annually, totaling $240,000)
> Parental Involvement in High School: funding for initiatives that increase parental involvement for students in grades 9 – 12

How to Apply:
> Proposals not accepted for requests under $2,500
> Application on website

* Note: The focus is not specifically arts / arts education, but could still be relevant to a school’s arts programming or other initiatives.

MBIA Foundation:

 Website: http://www.mbia.com/about/about_foundation.html
(better detail provided in Foundation Center Directory listing)

Contact Info:
Jean McGovern, Secretary
MBIA Foundation
1 Manhattanville Road, Ste. 301
Purchase, NY 10577
(914) 765-3834

Geographic Focus: NY, NJ, CT, PA

Funding for: Education, Human Services, Health Services

Education focus:  Programs designed to serve children and their developmental needs; provide materials and transportation; encourage parental involvement; help children stay in school; promote education beyond the classroom; foster life-long learning

Types of Support:
Capital and Infrastructure, Program Development, Sponsorships

How to Apply: Contact the Foundation to request an application

* Note: The focus is not specifically arts / arts education, but could still be relevant to a school’s arts programming or other initiatives.

Charles Hayden Foundation:

 Website: http://www.charleshaydenfoundation.org/index.php

Geographic Focus: New York City, Boston, Newark

Funding for: Nonprofits, Schools

Mission: To promote the mental, moral, and physical development of youth ages 5 to 18, with a focus on those institutions and programs serving youth most at risk of not reaching their full potential, especially in low-income communities.

Priorities:
> Schools with a demonstrated ability to graduate economically disadvantaged students who subsequently attend and are equipped to succeed in college.
> Community-based programs that offer economically disadvantaged youth educational, social, and recreational opportunities during non-school hours (after-school, evenings, weekends, and summer).

How to Apply:
> Review detailed Guidelines page on website
> Then submit Online Application

* Note: The focus is not specifically arts / arts education, but could still be relevant to a school’s arts programming or other initiatives.

Huberfeld Family Foundation:

 Website: none (listed in Foundation Center Directory)

Contact Info:
Murray Huberfeld, President
Huberfeld Family Foundation
152 W. 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 581-0500

Geographic Focus: New York City, Long Island

Funding for: Jewish Organizations, Schools

Fields of Interest: Elementary & Secondary Education, Human Services, Judaism

Populations of Interest: Children & Youth, Economically Disadvantaged / Low-Income People, Students, Jewish People

How to Apply: Mail a Letter (no deadline)

* Note: The focus is not specifically arts / arts education, but could still be relevant to a school’s arts programming or other initiatives.

DOE OFFICE OF ARTS & SPECIAL PROJECTS:  ARE YOU MAKING THE MOST OF WHAT IS AVAILABLE?

  • Do you have a relationship with the your borough arts leader?
  • Be sure you are updated on the funding opportunities being offered by the DOE. **2017-2019 are particularly opportune years.**
  • Key reminder:  Schools must register their certified/full-time arts teachers into the STARS system by October 31, 2017 in order to be eligible for the Arts Studio Allocation.
  • The SY 2016-2017 allocation is projected to be $1,000 per teacher.
  • If you have questions about STARS, contact your Borough Field Support Center for support.

Great, but I AM WAY TOO BUSY TO IMPLEMENT THESE STRATEGIES…..

  • Create a clear and deliberate plan with the staffing support.
  • Start small and don’t give up if the return on your investment isn’t immediate (because it likely won’t be).
  • Create a simple document to track your activities and deadlines (if you need assistance putting this together, ask ETA for support).

Other ideas:

  • Is a supporting non-profit organization the right approach for your school?
  • Is an Advisory Board the right approach for your school?
  • Is your PTA being leveraged effectively for fundraising?  Is there a parent that can assist with your fundraising plan beyond PTA functions?