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Raise Money

Raising money is essential to achieving your mission. Your fundraising activities should be consistent with your mission and compatible with your organizational capacity. Because most nonprofits enjoy tax-exempt status, there are strict rules and regulations that you must follow in order to legally fundraise in Maryland and across the US.

We’ve organized the resources we offer to help you raise money based on wherever you fall in your nonprofit lifecycle. For a summary of our resources, download our Annotated Ed Packet and Board Room Quick Tips overviews.

Start Up

Startups normally rely on donations from founding board members and angel donors. Individual founders should not get into the habit of reaching into their own pockets to fund their organization, rather you should give in concert with others on the board. Reaching out to friends and family, networks of people who care about the issue, and attending networking events are good ways to expand your base of support. Be sure to register in all states where you are raising funds to ensure you're in compliance with fundraising registration laws.

FREE

The Standards for Excellence Code provides guidance on resource development, "The responsibility for resource development is shared by the board and staff. Nonprofit organizations depend on an array of sources of financial support. An organization’s resource development program should be maintained on a foundation of truthfulness and responsible stewardship. Its resource development policies should be consistent with its mission, compatible with its organizational capacity, and respectful of the interests of donors, prospective donors, and others providing resources to the organization."
See the Code's resource development benchmarks.

Read blogs on Resource Development, including:

MEMBER DISCOUNT

“Disclose It: A Charitable Nonprofit's Guide to Disclosure” provides a summary of public disclosure requirements for nonprofits, including proper registration for soliciting contributions; disclosure requirements in fundraising solicitations; disclosure requirements in fundraising receipts and acknowledgements, and more.

“Disclose It.”Investing the time and energy to create strong fundraising and resource development policies has dual benefits of providing structure for your development processes, and preserving the trust you are building with your donors. “Fundraising Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts” educational resource packet to learn more.

At this lifecycle stage, your organization has diversified its funding base, and may have several funding streams, including individual donors, sponsors, earned income, and grants. Your board will want to recruit new members with connections in philanthropy. Infrastructure such as a fundraising database, a fundraising policy, and ensuring legal compliance are important.

FREE

Join the Nonprofit Development Center for training, resources, and consulting related to raising money. It's free to participate thanks to support from the Maryland Department of Commerce. Learn more and apply.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Get tips on grant writing and how to build relationships with funders from The Association of Baltimore Areas Grantmakers (ABAG). Maryland Nonprofis’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount!

To help your staff and board understand and feel comfortable with asking for support, offer them training on fundraising. Our team of facilitators can present on, “The Board’s Role in Fundraising,” “Fundraising Regulations,” “Making Fundraising Doable” and more. Available to both members and non-members - members at discounted rates! See customized fundraising trainings. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Investing the time and energy to create strong fundraising and resource development policies has benefits of providing structure for your development processes, and preserving the trust you are building with your donors. Members, login and download the “Fundraising Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts” educational resource packet for more information. Includes a model solicitation and acceptance of gifts policy and donor bill of rights.

At peak performance, fundraising is one of your organization’s core competencies, and your budget may also be supplemented by earned income streams. Fundraising is professionalized within your organization, and is supported by the chief executive and the board of directors. At peak performance, you are paying attention to donor stewardship and privacy, and ensuring fundraising policies are in place. You may be purchasing or changing donor databases, and seeking out new sources of support. For additional earned income, you may be developing or strengthening your business plan.

FREE

Find individuals and businesses that can support your resource development and fundraising goals. Included are grant writers, fundraising consultants, and more. Visit the Nonprofit Service Provider Directory.

Read blogs on Resource Development, including:

Making strategic partnerships can help your nonprofit provide higher-quality programs and services, leverage funding, broaden or strengthen impact, and improve administrative efficiency. Partnerships are a great way to save costs! To engage in a formal partnership you must have a board-approved policy outlining its goals and parameters. Check out a sample partnership policy ( Download Resource. ) and read this blog on partnerships and collaborations to learn more.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

If you're considering capital campaign planning, diversifying your revenue, or business planning as a way to boost your development goals, then our consulting group can help. Members receive discounted consulting rates. Learn more. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The Standards for Excellence packet on “Fundraising Costs” will help you fundraise while also controlling costs. It includes attachments that detail typical nonprofit and event fundraising budget line items. Members, login and search "Fundraising Costs."

The “Fundraising on Behalf of the Organization” educational resource packet covers working with fundraising consultants, controlling fundraising on behalf of the organization, exercising control over groups soliciting on your nonprofit's behalf, and more.  “Fundraising on Behalf of the Organization.”

Find individual giving prospects with DonorSearch’s powerful research algorithms. DonorSearch searches and analyzes wealth and philanthropy databases, and can predict both capacity and propensity to give. Subscribing to Donor Search can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Find funders who support nonprofits like yours with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Organizational decline or crisis is often rooted in the loss of one or more key funding sources, and it can be difficult to fill in the gaps while the crisis is ongoing. Most donors prefer to give to organizations in good standing, so be careful not to link your fundraising appeals to the crisis at hand. Focus your fundraising on the strengths of your mission fulfillment. If the board is embroiled in the crisis, try bringing in other key stakeholders to help tell your story - for example, program participants whose lives have been transformed as a result of the work of your organization can be excellent spokespersons.

FREE

Find individuals and businesses that can support your resource development and fundraising goals. Included are grant writers, fundraising consultants, and more. Visit the Nonprofit Service Provider Directory.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

During challenging times, our Consulting Group can assist with practical problem-solving expertise. We can provide a fundraising assessment and recommendations, or an engagement focused on fundraising strategy. Member nonprofits receive discounted consulting rates. Learn more. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Get back to the basics of fundraising. Make sure you have a gift acceptance policy - and that you're adhering to it. Increase your donors' comfort with a Donor Bill of Rights. Members, login and download the educational resource packet "Fundraising, Solicitation, Acceptance of Gifts, and Working with Donors."

At the renewal stage, your organization should undertake a critical examination of funding sources, strategies, and systems. Reconnect with donors, get their input, and then share insights about the new organizational direction back with them. New leadership or new direction may provide an opportunity for a public celebration to rebuild momentum for your organization.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Take a fresh look at potential funders who support your mission. The ABAG Member Directory is your local resource to the specific interests and contacts at private foundations and corporate giving programs in central Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Do some research - find grants and funders that support your mission activities - with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Growth

At this lifecycle stage, your organization has diversified its funding base, and may have several funding streams, including individual donors, sponsors, earned income, and grants. Your board will want to recruit new members with connections in philanthropy. Infrastructure such as a fundraising database, a fundraising policy, and ensuring legal compliance are important.

FREE

Join the Nonprofit Development Center for training, resources, and consulting related to raising money. It's free to participate thanks to support from the Maryland Department of Commerce. Learn more and apply.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Get tips on grant writing and how to build relationships with funders from The Association of Baltimore Areas Grantmakers (ABAG). Maryland Nonprofis’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

To help your staff and board understand and feel comfortable with asking for support, offer them training on fundraising. Our team of facilitators can present on, “The Board’s Role in Fundraising,” “Fundraising Regulations,” “Making Fundraising Doable” and more. Available to both members and non-members - members at discounted rates! See customized fundraising trainings. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Investing the time and energy to create strong fundraising and resource development policies has benefits of providing structure for your development processes, and preserving the trust you are building with your donors. Members, login and download the “Fundraising Solicitation and Acceptance of Gifts” educational resource packet for more information. Includes a model solicitation and acceptance of gifts policy and donor bill of rights.

At the renewal stage, your organization should undertake a critical examination of funding sources, strategies, and systems. Reconnect with donors, get their input, and then share insights about the new organizational direction back with them. New leadership or new direction may provide an opportunity for a public celebration to rebuild momentum for your organization.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Take a fresh look at potential funders who support your mission. The ABAG Member Directory is your local resource to the specific interests and contacts at private foundations and corporate giving programs in central Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Do some research - find grants and funders that support your mission activities - with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Peak Performance

At peak performance, fundraising is one of your organization’s core competencies, and your budget may also be supplemented by earned income streams. Fundraising is professionalized within your organization, and is supported by the chief executive and the board of directors. At peak performance, you are paying attention to donor stewardship and privacy, and ensuring fundraising policies are in place. You may be purchasing or changing donor databases, and seeking out new sources of support. For additional earned income, you may be developing or strengthening your business plan.

FREE

Find individuals and businesses that can support your resource development and fundraising goals. Included are grant writers, fundraising consultants, and more. Visit the Nonprofit Service Provider Directory.

Read blogs on Resource Development, including:

Making strategic partnerships can help your nonprofit provide higher-quality programs and services, leverage funding, broaden or strengthen impact, and improve administrative efficiency. Partnerships are a great way to save costs! To engage in a formal partnership you must have a board-approved policy outlining its goals and parameters. Check out a sample partnership policy ( Download Resource. ) and read this blog on partnerships and collaborations to learn more.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

“If you're considering capital campaign planning, diversifying your revenue, or business planning as a way to boost your development goals, then our consulting group can help. Members receive discounted consulting rates. Learn more. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The Standards for Excellence packet on “Fundraising Costs” will help you fundraise while also controlling costs. It includes attachments that detail typical nonprofit and event fundraising budget line items. Members, login and search "Fundraising Costs."

The “Fundraising on Behalf of the Organization” educational resource packet covers working with fundraising consultants, controlling fundraising on behalf of the organization, exercising control over groups soliciting on your nonprofit's behalf, and more. Members, login and search “Fundraising on Behalf of the Organization.”

Find individual giving prospects with DonorSearch’s powerful research algorithms. DonorSearch searches and analyzes wealth and philanthropy databases, and can predict both capacity and propensity to give. Subscribing to Donor Search can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Find funders who support nonprofits like yours with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

At the renewal stage, your organization should undertake a critical examination of funding sources, strategies, and systems. Reconnect with donors, get their input, and then share insights about the new organizational direction back with them. New leadership or new direction may provide an opportunity for a public celebration to rebuild momentum for your organization.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Take a fresh look at potential funders who support your mission. The ABAG Member Directory is your local resource to the specific interests and contacts at private foundations and corporate giving programs in central Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Do some research - find grants and funders that support your mission activities - with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

 

Decline/Crisis

Organizational decline or crisis is often rooted in the loss of one or more key funding sources, and it can be difficult to fill in the gaps while the crisis is ongoing. Most donors prefer to give to organizations in good standing, so be careful not to link your fundraising appeals to the crisis at hand. Focus your fundraising on the strengths of your mission fulfillment. If the board is embroiled in the crisis, try bringing in other key stakeholders to help tell your story - for example, program participants whose lives have been transformed as a result of the work of your organization can be excellent spokespersons.

FREE

Find individuals and businesses that can support your resource development and fundraising goals. Included are grant writers, fundraising consultants, and more. Visit the Nonprofit Service Provider Directory.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

During challenging times, our Consulting Group can assist with practical problem-solving expertise. We can provide a fundraising assessment and recommendations, or an engagement focused on fundraising strategy. Member nonprofits receive discounted consulting rates. Learn more. 

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

Get back to the basics of fundraising. Make sure you have a gift acceptance policy - and that you're adhering to it. Increase your donors' comfort with a Donor Bill of Rights. Members, login and download the educational resource packet "Fundraising, Solicitation, Acceptance of Gifts, and Working with Donors."

At the renewal stage, your organization should undertake a critical examination of funding sources, strategies, and systems. Reconnect with donors, get their input, and then share insights about the new organizational direction back with them. New leadership or new direction may provide an opportunity for a public celebration to rebuild momentum for your organization.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Take a fresh look at potential funders who support your mission. The ABAG Member Directory is your local resource to the specific interests and contacts at private foundations and corporate giving programs in central Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Do some research - find grants and funders that support your mission activities - with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Renewal

At the renewal stage, your organization should undertake a critical examination of funding sources, strategies, and systems. Reconnect with donors, get their input, and then share insights about the new organizational direction back with them. New leadership or new direction may provide an opportunity for a public celebration to rebuild momentum for your organization.

MEMBER DISCOUNT

Take a fresh look at potential funders who support your mission. The ABAG Member Directory is your local resource to the specific interests and contacts at private foundations and corporate giving programs in central Maryland. Maryland Nonprofits’ members can attend grantseeker-relevant ABAG trainings at a 20% discount! Login to the Member Portal to view upcoming events and register.

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE

The “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income” educational resource packet offers guidance on creating and carrying out a comprehensive resource development plan for your organization. It includes a sample resource development plan, board development calendar, income worksheet and more. Members, login and search “Resource Development Planning and Sources of Income”

Do some research - find grants and funders that support your mission activities - with Foundation Directory Online. It contains information on over 90,000 private, public, and corporate foundations. Subscribing to Foundation Directory can be expensive so Maryland Nonprofits maintains the subscription for our members! To access the database, make an appointment (M-F, 9-5) with Janice Foreman, Administrative Coordinator.

Related Resources

Nonprofit Lifecycles

Do-It-Yourself Steps to Start a Nonprofit