Funding age-friendly
Fundraising is the gentle art of teaching the joy of giving.
HANK ROSSO
Funding - Getting Started
Most Lifelong Communities need funding to successfully meet goals in their action plan. It can be intimidating to develop a fundraising strategy but there are advantages--beyond getting the money you need. A strategic fundraising plan leads to sustainability by raising awareness of your impact on the community and generating interest in your activities from residents, partners, and funders.
At the local level, friendraising and fundraising go hand in hand. Friendraising can include community events, such as a fishing derby, murder theater, dessert auction, or a vintage car event. Lifelong Maine communities told us that funds raised from a single event ranges from $25 - $2800. The biggest impact was on recognition of age-friendly as doers; the increase in good will was countless. For example, Danforth Livable Communities raised a portion of the money needed for the Danforth Livable Community Center through friendraising. In the process, they also increased community engagement in the project.
Age-Friendly communities have also partnered with their municipality and other organizations for in-kind donations, such as printing or mailing, the use of space for meetings and events, and staff time. Whether monetary or in-kind donations, fundraising leverages and builds on your relationships within the community.
Grants effectively support lifelong community goals with funding for impact-focused projects. Effective grant makers share your vision and appreciate your unique approach to addressing unmet needs in your community.
For small amounts of money, check with local civic organizations, such as Rotary, or local businesses, including banks. Some local bank managers and credit union presidents have discretionary funds (generall $500-$1000) that they can give to local groups. Walmarts and Sam's Clubs are able to provide small grants ($250 - $5,000) to community groups (must be tax-exempt). Grocery stories are often able to provide food or party-ware for events. The application process is often simpler and processed more quickly than those at large funding entities. The best way to find out if funding is available is to ask. The decision to fund your project, will often depend on the relationships you have built and your reputation in the community as a committee that gets stuff done.
Another potential source of funding is a community-specific foundation. Occasionally, a benefactor chooses to establish a foundation specifically for the benefit of residents in one community or in a region. A number of age-friendly communities have benefitted from this type of funding. The best way to find these opportunities is to brainstorm with your committee. Another source of information is the Attorney General's Office, Search for Tax Returns of Private Foundations.
To stay informed about national grant opportunities, subscribe for free to the GrantStation Insider. A resource for Maine communities is the weekly Aging Policy Newsletter distributed by Teague Morris (teague_morris@king.senate.gov).
We recommend checking out Dr. Holly Korda's presentation, Grant Writing for Lifelong Communities before you make connections with grant makers. When you are ready to start developing grants, take a look at the 2024 list of grant opportunities for Maine communities.
For advice from six of Maine's Lifelong Community leaders, read How We pay to Get Stuff Done, from our January 2024 Lifelong Maine News!
Below, we have gathered resources to support your fundraising journey, starting with a list of funders that Lifelong Maine communities have successfully accessed. If you have questions, we will link you to communities that will share their lessons learned.
Note: Below, and throughout our site, underlined text indicates a live link.
Lifelong Maine Master Class 2024 - Fueling your Grant and Development Strategies
Structure for sustainability.
Developing a structure that is right for your community and will sustain the work you are doing is key for long-term impact and is diffrerent in each community.
Different funders for different projects.
Funding projects requires a mix of grant writing, traditional fundraising, and in-kind support from local organizations. Learn how to match you project to the funding opportunity that is the best fit.
Writing a strong proposal.
A grants and development professional shares insighful, innovative and informative guidance for planning, writing, and winning grants for age-friendly.
key resource
The Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Fundraising.pdfFundRaISING
HubSpot's Ultimate Guide to Nonprofit Fundraising and the National Council of Nonprofit's Fundraising Resource List provide a great introduction to the topic.
Current grant opportunities...
Trust for Civic Life
This funding opportunity will open in Summer, 2024. Applications are open to any group that is working to increase community engagement. You do not need to be a 501c3 to apply. The opportunity is specifically intended for rural communities. Rather than defining what is and is not a rural community, the organization allows community groups to self-identify whether they are rural or not. To learn more about the grant intent, read this article in Daily Yonder.Congressionally-Directed Funding (Senator King)
Congressionally-Directed Funding (Susan Collins--deadline, April 24 at 6PM)
Member of Congress Chellie Pingree Community Project Funding
Several of our communities have benefitted from Congressionally-directed funding (aka "earmarks") and from Community Project Funding. There are different rules governing the funding provided through the Senate and the House so it is important to reach out to their staff (generally in their regional offices) to talk about how your project may fit. These are a few hints for developing a strong proposal (shared by Judy Anderson, member of the Lifelong Maine Advisory Group):All four are eager to back projects with strong local support and well-documented potential benefits that are as close to “ready to start” as possible.
Practicalities: What is the project’s timeline? Is the project ready to begin, and if not what further steps are needed? What are the documented public safety, health, or educational benefits of the project? Are there any trade-offs in investing in this project versus others in the region?
Politics: How much are non-federal entities (such as the state and local governments, private donors, or other funders) contributing to the project? Do regional local governments, businesses, and residents support the project?
Identify and develop champions: Beyond preparing a strong proposal, applicants will strengthen their application by engaging bipartisan champions willing to put their name to these proposals.
Prepare for the long haul: The earmark and appropriations process is a year-long cycle, requiring months of advocating and pushing to maximize your chances for success. Having a strong local group of supporters of your project willing to advocate wil help. You can keep pushing through grassroots advocacy, committee-level outreach, and appealing to leadership.
Walmart Foundation
The Walmart Foundation provides nonprofit grants quarterly through local Walmart and Sam’s Club facilities. These grants range in amounts from $250 to $5,000 and are awarded to local nonprofit organizations to fund projects in their communities. Grants are available in eight funding areas, including community and economic development; diversity and inclusion; education; public safety; and more. To get started, you’ll answer an eligibility questionnaire and if you qualify, you’ll be directed to create an account on CyberGrants FrontDoor. After you have been verified on the CyberGrants platform, you can submit your grant application. The Walmart Foundation allows you to submit a maximum of 25 applications during each yearly grant cycle.Coca-Cola Foundation
The Coca-Cola Foundation offers community grants for nonprofits to support initiatives like clean water, economic empowerment, climate resilience and disaster preparedness.To access one of these funding opportunities, you must first complete an eligibility quiz. If you’re eligible, you can register for the foundation’s online application system. Through this system, you’ll be able to browse and apply for available grants.State Farm Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants
Currently, State Farm grant applications are invitation-only once per year. However, if you think you have a qualifying project for one of the grants, you can submit a funding request through a form on the State Farm website (scroll down on the page or click here)
State Farm offers three types of community nonprofit grants:Safety grants. Focus on home and auto safety and disaster preparedness.
Community development grants. Support affordable and sustainable housing, job training, small-business development, personal financial literacy, among other initiatives.
Education grants. Funds awarded to programs in higher education, K-12 academic performance and financial literacy, and pathways for college and career success.
Additional Resources...
Candid Learning Grants Space. Proposal Writing Course (1-hour) (free).
Community Toolbox. Getting Grants and Financial Resources **The best primer on grant writing we have seen
Brandon Comstock. Friend-Raising Before Fundraising (article)
David Landsdowne. Fundraising Realities that Every Board Member Should Know (book)
* Lifelong Maine News (Donna Palmer). How We Pay to Get Stuff Done
* Lifelong Maine News (Lisa Joyce). Golden Rules of Grants
Maine State Library. Funding and Grant Resources page
The Purdue Writing lab gives hints and tips for developing a grant application
Wild Apricot, 130+ Awesome Fundraising Ideas: Contests, Raffles, Challenges, and More!
UMaine. Introduction to Grant Writing
AARP Challenge - Advice from Maine GRantees
On January 12, we gathered to discuss the 2024 AARP Challenge Grant. Four Maine communities told us about their projects, the impact on the community, and offered some hints and tips for completing the application and managing the project after you receive funding.