Presentation Transcript

1. Growing Out-of-School Time Programs with

   D RT

   Development Initiatives for Rural Townships The Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance Carolyn Hudman, Director Judy Turner, Office Manager WEB: www.kyoutofschoolalliance.org
2. Why? Out-of-school time program sustainability strategies often assume the resources available in urban environments and rarely address the challenges unique to programs operating in rural communities. What are some of the differences (challenges/benefits) between programs operating in urban environments as opposed to rural communities? 2
3. Before We Begin to Dig Deep According to master fundraiser there are 3 Necessities as a Fundraiser: Kim Klien You must believe in the cause for which you are raising money and the ability to maintain that believe during defeats, tedious tasks, and financial insecurity. You must have the ability to have high hopes and low expectations; allowing you to be often pleased but rarely disappointed You must have faith in the basic goodness of people 3
4. The Rural Landscape - Challenges More “ground to cover” (transportation costs) Smaller populations Limited industry and businesses Limited resources The “Brain Drain” (youth moving to urban areas, aging population) 4
5. The Rural Landscape-Benefits Sense of place & community (People care about one another) Parents/Grandparents/Extended Family often in same area Family activities often surround child(ren) Shared destiny (“We’re in this together mentality”) 5
6. The Rural Landscape-Benefits Cultural heritage is often strong Community activities often surround school(s) & church(s) Business community often have strong connection with schools and youth programs Media & local elected officials are accessible and messages rarely get “lost” in the excessive media outlets 6
7. Activity: Active Rural Living Weave yourself and your program into the very fabric of your community. Know that everyday interactions in a rural community can make or break you. 7
8. Your Role as Program Director Build a vision for a quality out-of-school time program and then work backward from that point to the present! Cultivate strong relationships and work continuously to nurture and connect your program with community resources. Become a member of a minimum of two organizations as part of your role as director! 8
9. The Seed List: What do you need? Consider what is needed to grow the program of your dreams What is needed for organizational operation? What is needed for program planning? What is needed for program implementation? What are the needs for the youth? Are there individual needs for youth? 9
10. Know Your Numbers! … No Matter How Scary Salaries & Wages Fringe Payroll Taxes Supplies Telephone and Fax Postage Rent Utilities Equipment Printing 10
11. Know Your Numbers & Your Needs! … These are not always the same thing! “In fundraising, you always do better by being completely literal … just tell and show what the problem and solution are.” Jeff Brooks (The Fundraiser’s Guide to Irresistible Communications) 11
12. Key Resources for Rural Programs Community Partners & Individual Donors Friend-raising & Fund-raising 12
13. Cultivating Relationships  Friend-raising A New Way to Look at Your Community Community Resources Community Partnerships Engaging Leaderships Shine Some Light– Program PRIDE! 13
14. “Plotting” Your Community List and evaluate resources Map the community by buildings not by people 14
15. Activity: Plotting Your Community 15
16. Possible Community Resources Churches Fire dept Police dept Ambulance/ Hospital Town Hall VFW Masonic Hall Empty buildings Library Different school buildings Law offices Doctors offices Health dept. Restaurants Car Dealers/Lots Grange/Ruritan Club Elks Club Farm Implement Seed Companies or Chemical Companies Farm COOP Historical Society Chamber of Commerce Banks Car Dealerships Mechanics Seamstress/Tailor Nursing Home or Care Facility 16
17. Possible Community Partners Scouting Organizations 4-H / County Extension Office Faith-Based Youth Groups School Affiliated Clubs (FBLA, FCLA, FFA) State Universities (Data) Robotics Leagues 17
18. Tilling the Soil Build strong program which utilizes resources and partnerships Ensure a strong mission statement Identify strong goals and objectives Elevator statement and/or program description Timeline and assignments Evaluation 18
19. Cultivating Growth Share the Exciting Things Going On in Your Program! If you are not excited, why would they be? Become a Source of PRIDE for the Community (bragging rights) Build a Fan-Base Invite Community Leaders to Share their Stories or Talents with the Children/Youth Keep Program Alumni Engaged (Bring former program attendees back as special guests.) 19
20. Know Who’s Who in Leadership? U.S. Legislators State Legislators Department of Education Mayor City Council Members County Officials / Judges Superintendents School-Board Members Principals Business & Corporate Leaders Foundations Community Leaders Faith-Based Leaders Media 20
21. Don’t Negate the Servant Leaders … often the most influential of all Leaders Farmers & Ranchers The “Women of a Church” The “Morning Coffee Group” Teachers Parents Grandparents Elders in the Community Insurance Brokers Church Leaders Law Enforcement Gas Station Attendants Grocery Clerks Primary Healthcare Workforce 21
22. Cultivate Relationships with ALL! Ensure a PHOTO OP for the kiddos & the volunteer! Be sure to send pic with THANK YOU! 22
23. Tending to the Plants Become a the “SHINING STAR” of the school systems (Think bragging rights) Plagiarize freely from your state’s C.S. Mott Foundation Network Resources or www.afterschoolalliance.org Send local media pictures and information often Invite local media to ALL EVENTS (Follow up with phone calls and let them know of possible photo options) Use the “Grandma Factor” to your favor Share your program calendar with a local reporter that shows interest in your program or fax one to the local newspaper editor 23
24. Shine Some Light: Quick & Easy News Release NEWS RELEASE Contact: PROGRAM DIRECTOR NAME Cool Title, Hometown, KY (DATE) – Write a cute caption or plug here. Don’t “over-think” the editor will change at will. ### Contact: Name, Address, TEL: • FAX: WEB: The Grandma Factor! 24
25. Reap the Harvest Fund-raising Individual Donors Annual Campaign Earned Income Simple Asks Events Filler Fundraisers Out & About (Awareness & Fundraising) 25
26. Individual Donors:Americans Are Generous 88% of Households Give to Charity! Average per family? $2,213 in 2012 26
27. Why is this “good”? 72% Individuals accounted for over 72% of giving in 2012! Roughly $223 Billion! 27
28. Individual Donors: Rural Rural people often have a very traditionalist view of life. They work hard for their money and will give generously if they feel you’re being honest and open with them and intend to use the money for something they truly believe in. If you want money, you have to ASK for it! Engage and ASK EVERYONE! Stop pre-judging! Stop looking for Daddy Warbucks 7 out of 10 adults GIVE AWAY MONEY! 28
29. Individual Donors: Train Yourself Your most successful “asks” will be those that are done “face-to-face” with someone you know! Address the “fear of the ask” and train yourself to: Connect an opportunity with a person’s desire to give Put your “self” aside! You are there for the cause. 29
30. Individual Donors: You Never Know Until You Ask When making the ask: Listen first Listen for potential connections—gather information Then make the connection—make it personal 30
31. Individual Donors: REMEMBER The answer you get when making the ask may rely less on what you ask and more HOW you ask it Avoid the “we need” and focus on program benefits and outcomes Bring your passion and commitment when you are making the ask 31
32. Individual Donors: STOP! Once you have made the ask—STOP talking and wait for their reply Get a commitment before you leave—either for a gift or a date for another visit Keep potential donors attention on the conversation—don’t add distractions 32
33. What have you got to lose? 33
34. Don’t Forget Program Alumni Volunteers Spokesperson Donors 34
35. Annual Campaign Make it EASY for them to give Offer a pledge sheet or donation form that includes your 501(c)3 tax I.D. number Give all pledge sheets with a distinctive “self-addressed/ stamped envelope” Consistent with Time of Year (Spring Campaign as opposed to Fall/Winter Campaign) 35
36. Annual Campaign Follow up is critical! Visit or call to follow up with non-responders “Thank before you Bank” Thank you notes should be a priority in your fundraising efforts. Follow “Mom’s Rules”: 1) If you do not have time to say thank you, then you do not have time to accept the gift. 2) A late thank you is better than no thank you. 36
37. Earned Income: Be Dramatic! Possible Annual Drama Productions: 1)Mystery Theatre in the Fall, 2) Children’s Christmas/Holiday Production, 3) and Spring Musical Include school-day performances with invitations sent to area school districts at a reduced student ticket price. Invest in a Trademarked Play (Build audience) Go for quality in choice of title, props, sets, and costumes. (Better attendance!) Follow a consistent annual calendar and see attendance grow year by year! Solicit and sell sponsorships to cover start-up and recurring expenses. (Ticket sales then become profit for sustainability of the theatre and other after school programs!) 37
38. Simple Requests: GO NUTS for Kids Build a bulletin board that includes an oak tree and squirrel holding an acorn. Label each of the acorns with a program “need” or want … BIG or small. (Think angel tree for the program. ) Parents/community members can purchase the item and donate to the program. 38
39. Event: Chili Cookoff Partner with Fire-Dept Utilize local church kitchen or town-hall Have your school jazz band perform for entertainment Make it an annual event Make sure your kids are front and center during the cook-off event! 39
40. “Filler” Fundraisers: Pennydrive School or Club wide - Each class competes. The Pennydrive Rules: Pennies count FOR your class. Silver counts AGAINST your class. Dollars count FOR your class. You can dump “silver” in a competing classes jar to reduce their amount. 40
41. Get Out & About: Flock of Flamingos Charge to have a yard flocked with flamingos. In order to get the flamingos out of their lawn, they have to call the phone number attached to one of the flamingo’s neck (includes all information) and for a $10 donations, they could have the flamingos removed and sent to the lawn of their choice. Move flamingos daily. 41
42. Grants: Leverage Partnerships In additional to writing grants specifically for your program, expand your vision to include partnerships with local health departments and flagship universities (education dept.) in your state. Remember: You can often offer access to children for program implementation (health and wellness supports; educational supports, social and cultural supports) 42
43. Tending to the Plants Photographs are Powerful! (Blanket the town and always include positive program pictures in your correspondence.) 43
44. Questions & Answers Growing Out-of-School Time Programs with Learn More at: www.kyoutofschoolalliance.org « Like » Us on Facebook Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance « Follow » Us on TWITTER Kentucky Out-of-School Alliance DRT Development Initiatives for Rural Townships 44