Creating a Business Plan, Budget Development, and Fundraising

1. Creating a Business Plan, Budget Development, and Fundraising Amy D. Miller, MPH Executive Director, Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation Coordinator, Mobile Health Providers Coalition of Chicago

2. Mobile C.A.R.E. Foundation • Non-profit organization operating since 1999 to provide free and comprehensive asthma care, health education, and medications to children in Chicago’s underserved communities via mobile medical clinics, the Asthma Vans.

3. Mobile Health Providers Coalition • Growing network of 20+ organizations, all of which provide health, social service, and/or dental education and care via mobile medical clinics in Chicago and the surrounding areas. • Goal is to enhance the services we individually provide our community through resource sharing and networking

4. Business Plan - Components • What: Mission Statement and Goals • Why: Impetus for establishing organization

5. Business Plan - Components 2 How: • Program explanation • Fundamentals of operation • Staffing • Equipment and supplies • Management of administrative activities • Funding sources • Mobile Clinic details

6. Business Plan - Components 3 How: • Governance • Partnerships • Measures of success • Growth strategy • Financial Information

7. Business Plan – Useful Tool • United Way “Logic Model” • Inputs • Activities • Outputs • Outcomes

8. Budget – Cost Categories • One time costs • Fixed costs • Incremental costs

9. Budget – Cost Categories 2 • Program • Administrative

10. Budget – Cost Categories 3 • Payroll • Benefits (health insurance, other insurance, ongoing education) • Payroll Taxes • Insurances • Employee • Organization (workers comp, property, general liability, officers & directors) • Vehicle • Malpractice • Supplies • Medications, medical supplies, educational materials • Office supplies, postage, advertising, printing • Equipment • Technology (website) • Telephone • Gasoline! • Maintenance and repairs • Other • Meeting Costs (internal, external) • Incentives (volunteer, patient Gasoline!) • Outsourcing (legal, accounting, payroll, billing)

11. Fundraising – Where? • Foundations • Large • Family • Corporations • Corporate Giving • Corporate Foundations • Government • Legislative • Grants • Individuals • Direct solicitation • Events

12. Grant Writing – How? Step 1: Research grant opportunities (From Foundations, Corporations, Government) • Foundation Center (http://www.fdncenter.org) • Foundation Directory Online $ (http://fconline.fdncenter.org) • Donors Forum of Chicago $ (http://www.donorsforum.org) • Guidestar $ (www.guidestar.org) • CFDA-Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html) • Other such sites and resources • Web search • Other non-profit organization’s annual reports • Ask people you know

13. Grant Writing – How? 2 Step 2: Obtain detailed information on funding agencies • Is the funding organization accepting applications? • Does the funding organization’s funding priorities match your mission? • Does the organization have any funding restrictions? • At what level does this organization usually give? • What are their specific procedures and guidelines for submitting a grant application? • By answering these questions, you can make your grant efforts more focused and efficient by targeting those funders who are most likely to accept your application.

14. Grant Writing – How? 3 Step 3: If possible, call or email the Foundation or Corporate Giving Program to discuss your impending proposal

15. Grant Writing – How? 4 Step 4: Follow the organization’s specific guidelines to write and submit a Letter of Interest • 1-2 page document which typically includes: information about your organization, the organization’s interest in applying for a grant, amount for which you would like to apply, and information on your intentions with the grant.

16. Grant Writing – How? 5 Step 5: If you or someone you know has a contact person within the organization, contact this person to ask for advice/assistance and to keep them informed.

17. Grant Writing – How? 6 Step 6: Wait for a response from the granting organization. • Follow the organization’s written procedures on this, if available. Some organizations do NOT want you to contact them to inquire about the status of your request. Others specify a date after which you may call/write to inquire.

18. Grant Writing – How? 7 Step 7: If invited to submit full proposal, follow the organization’s specific guidelines to create a proposal. • This can range from the Chicago Area Grant Application which is a set format that some organizations around Chicago accept, a highly structured questionnaire, or a general essay with suggestions on what items to include). Often, you must also attach materials such as: • List of Board of Directors and their affiliations • 990 • 501(c)3 letter • Most recent year’s audited financial statements • Current year’s budget • Project budget • List other organizations that have contributed toward your organization in the past year and the current year

19. Grant Writing – How? 8 Step 8: Wait for a response from the granting organization. • Keep your fingers crossed. • An organization may contact you with additional questions. • An organization may also arrange a site visit to see how your program works and to ask you additional questions or for additional materials

20. Grant Writing – How? 9 Step 9: If funded, you will likely receive an award letter with the specific reporting requirements • These can range from structured, quarterly reports, to general annual updates. • Be sure to comply with these requirements if you ever want to be funded in the future.

21. Grant Writing – How? 10 • If your funding request is denied, it is a good idea to contact the organization for specific reasons why. Any constructive criticism you receive can help you with your next application!

22. Questions? Amy D. Miller 773-890-7130 amiller@mobilecarefoundation.org