cultivate:
v,t, to engage and maintain the interest and involvement of
(a donor, prospective donor, or volunteer) with an
organization's people, programs, and plans.
............. The NSFRE
Fund-raising Dictionary
The good old days of writing a terrific proposal
and sending it out to anyone who gave to other ministries like yours
are over - and have been since 9/11.
To be effective at Foundation Relations, we take
the approach that foundations and corporate giving programs must be
treated like "Major Donors on Steroids". You have to get
past the screeners, and get heard by the committee.
There are three areas that all have to work
together when cultivating these gifts:
•
Project Selection
- making sure the project you are asking funding for is the
right one,
•
Proposal
Development - writing a compelling proposal and cover letter
•
Prospect
Cultivation - getting through the road blocks and building an
increasing list of prospects.
