UBIF FUNDRAISING STRATEGY GUIDE

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DIVERSIFY YOUR FUNDING SOURCES

Most successful projects use multiple funding streams:
- 30-40% Grants (government, foundations, corporate)
- 25-35% Individual Donors & Community Support
- 15-25% Earned Revenue or Fees
- 10-15% Crowdfunding
- 5-10% In-Kind Donations

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1. GOVERNMENT GRANTS & FUNDING

FEDERAL PROGRAMS:
→ USDA Rural Community Development Grant Program
  • Up to $25,000 for infrastructure
  • Focus on food systems, water, energy
  • Apply through local USDA office

→ EPA Water Infrastructure Grants
  • Funding for water systems and conservation
  • Technical assistance available
  • Visit epa.gov for current opportunities

→ FCC Digital Equity Competitive Grants
  • Up to $10,000+ for broadband access
  • Digital literacy training funding
  • Focus on underserved communities

→ Department of Energy Weatherization Program
  • Funds for home energy efficiency improvements
  • Covers weatherstripping, insulation, etc.
  • Contact local energy office

STATE PROGRAMS:
→ Check your state's environmental department
→ Agricultural development programs
→ Community development corporations
→ Climate and clean energy initiatives

TIMELINE: 3-6 months from application to funding

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2. FOUNDATION GRANTS

MAJOR FOUNDATION FUNDERS IN SUSTAINABILITY:
→ The Ford Foundation (social justice focus)
→ Climate Works Foundation
→ MacArthur Foundation
→ Packard Foundation
→ Local community foundations

FINDING FOUNDATIONS:
→ Foundation Center (foundationcenter.org)
→ GuideStar (guidestar.org)
→ Your local community foundation website

TYPICAL GRANT SIZE: $10,000-$100,000
APPLICATION TIME: 8-12 weeks before funding

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3. INDIVIDUAL DONORS & COMMUNITY SUPPORT

BUILD A DONOR BASE:
→ Start with your own community members
→ Offer giving levels: $25, $100, $500, $1,000+
→ Make it easy to give (online, checks, cash)
→ Thank donors publicly and personally

MONTHLY GIVING PROGRAM:
→ Ask people to commit $20-100/month
→ Create "Sustaining Member" recognition
→ More predictable income
→ Reduces stress of constant fundraising

MAJOR DONORS:
→ Ask people with means to give larger gifts
→ Often come from community
→ Want to see impact of their money
→ May give $5,000-$25,000+

PEER-TO-PEER FUNDRAISING:
→ Ask supporters to fundraise on your behalf
→ Provide easy tools (Facebook fundraiser, email template)
→ Recognition for top fundraisers

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4. CROWDFUNDING

PLATFORMS:
→ Kickstarter (project-based)
→ GoFundMe (flexible)
→ Patronicity (community projects)
→ Seed & Spark (social enterprises)

SUCCESS FACTORS:
✓ Clear, compelling story
✓ Specific dollar goal and timeline
✓ Regular updates during campaign
✓ Existing network to share campaign
✓ Video showing real people/problem
✓ Rewards or recognition for donors

TYPICAL RANGE: $5,000-$50,000
DURATION: 30-45 days

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5. EARNED REVENUE

PRODUCTS:
→ Sell food, compost, energy credits
→ Workshops and training fees
→ Consulting on replication
→ Merchandise with chapter branding

SERVICES:
→ Energy audits ($500-1,000 per audit)
→ Garden design and installation
→ Technical assistance to other communities
→ Meeting facilitation

REVENUE SHARING:
→ Partner with social enterprises
→ Take small percentage of local economic activity
→ Create cooperative business model

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6. IN-KIND DONATIONS

WHAT TO ASK FOR:
→ Professional services (accounting, legal, design)
→ Equipment and tools
→ Materials for projects
→ Space for meetings and events
→ Transportation and logistics

VALUE IT:
→ Track in-kind donations
→ Calculate fair market value
→ Count toward grant matching requirements
→ Recognize donors publicly

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CREATING A FUNDRAISING PLAN

1. Calculate Total Need
   Project budget: $_________
   Staff costs: $_________
   Operations: $_________
   Total 12-month goal: $_________

2. Set Targets for Each Source
   Grants: _________ (30%)
   Individual donors: _________ (25%)
   Earned revenue: _________ (20%)
   Crowdfunding: _________ (15%)
   In-kind: _________ (10%)

3. Create Timeline
   Months 1-2: Research and relationship building
   Months 3-4: Submit grant applications
   Months 5-6: Launch crowdfunding campaign
   Months 7-12: Steward donors, build individual base

4. Assign Responsibility
   Grants: _______________
   Individual giving: _______________
   Crowdfunding: _______________
   In-kind: _______________

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FUNDING SUSTAINABILITY

→ Don't rely on a single funder
→ Build individual donor base (most stable)
→ Develop earned revenue over time
→ Maintain grant relationships (renew annually)
→ Invest in fundraising infrastructure
→ Regular communication with supporters

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