One of my take-aways from the JEA and NATE conferences in the last two weeks was that there is money out there—you just have to know who, and how, to ask.
Three examples:
1. Many educators have had their conference lines reduced or cut altogether. Several educators at the conferences asked other groups within the synagogue—for example, the Sisterhood and Brotherhood—to fund their attendance. They positioned it, very sensibly, as developing themselves in order to improve the school. They got the money, and they were there.
2. An educator in Boston got a $50,000 grant from a member of the congregation to build a technology infrastructure (hardware, software, blog, social media). Key to the grant is that the new technology serve as a connection point for families throughout the congregation, especially in the pre-school where parents are eager to be part of their children’s school lives even while at work.
3. An educator in northern New Jersey wanted to build a new K-2 family prayer service. She saw Siddur Mah Tov as being key to creating a successful program. She approached her school committee. Two members wrote out a check on the spot, enabling her to buy 110 copies of the siddur.
The most successful fundraisers are those who ask their personal contacts for support. Reach out to the people with whom you work most closely, who believe in your mission, and who want to see you and your organization succeed, such as:
• Members of the school board who have exhibited commitment to the school just by joining the board
• Sisterhood and Brotherhood (Women’s Club and Men’s Club) who often do their own fundraising and look for ways to support the education program
• Members of the senior staff or clergy who have discretionary funds
• Parents and grandparents who want the best resources for their children and grand-children in the school
• Committee heads who have similar goals to you, such as the adult ed chair who wants to improve Hebrew literacy in the congregation
• Congregants who express a desire for improvement in the congregation, such as the member who wants to start a parenting program
Above all, every successful endeavor, including fundraising, is built on the relationships you cultivate with your stakeholders.
Behrman House Consulting Group can help you with fundraising in your congregation or organization. Our fundraising specialists, Seth Bloom and Jeff Metz, are ready to help you meet your financial goals, big or small. Contact Terry Kaye, Director and Client Engagement Manager, terry@bhconsultinggroup.com for a free personal consultation.
