Abstract: Why do you need to raise money, and how do you do it?
It used to be, and some of us still think it is, that all you had to do
was dig around and find some foundation ready to shower you with money,
if you could only say the right things the right way. Back in the day,
there were a lot of foundations with money to give out, and some of
them actually had a hard time getting it all out. No more.
In today's financial climate, things are tighter than ever.
Some of the foundations have folded altogether. The ones that are left
work with very narrow paradigms for their giving. You can't just go
and write a grant proposal and, bingo, have money. Fundraising takes a
lot of work up front, which is mostly talking. And it takes a
willingness to work outside the box, working networks, soliciting
individuals, doing mail appeals, and gimmicks (people use them).
This workshop will be an interactive discussion that covers
more than how to write a grant proposal. Topics will include how to
frame your need as a request, how to present yourself as competent
enough to inspire confidence, and how to meet the legal requirements to
accept tax-deductible gifts. Asking for money is an art, and crafting
a most compelling request is an art. The skills you need can and will
be learned with practice. This workshop will be an excellent place for
you to get started. Biography - Robert H. Haas Robert (Bob) Haas is the Director
of Special Projects at the non-profit Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative,
in Roxbury, MA. Educated in electrical engineering, with a bachelor’s
degree from Brown University and a master’s degree from Columbia University,
he worked for 17 years in high-tech companies before making a career
change in 1985 to work in non-profit community development. Bob participated in the founding
of 3 non-profit organizations, and over 14 years he facilitated the
growth of Dorchester Bay Economic Development Corp. from a 3 person
staff to a 16 person staff, from an $88K budget to a $1.4M budget.
While there, he initiated a public/private fundraising activity that
generated more than $2.3 million of income for programs in affordable
housing construction, commercial revitalization, small business lending,
computer employment training. He served as the primary fundraiser
during the formative years of the Upham’s Corner Main Street program,
where he served also as an interim Executive Director before assuming
his current position at the Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative, where
he has been responsible for resource development and events planning. |
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