Part 1.1: Functional overall structure of Fundraising

Apparently there are three fundamental fundraisering components (1) major Gift Solicitation (2) Annual Campaigns and (3) Planned Giving. Each component requires strategies that work under an umbrella strategy, and grants seem to pop up within them (especially the second, annual campaigns). lastly research skills for successful engagement of all the n4p's techniques.

So the substantive areas of knowledge are the first three components, and the procedural skillset include strategy, grantwriting, and research.

Preparing for foundation fundraising:

More Cool Booklearnin!!

One of my interests is Philanthropy. I've decided to bone up on the philanthropic marketplace, Get a mastery of key fundraising techniques and gain some comprehensive management skills (to get one of these gigs: Grants Program Manager, Director of Development, Donor Response Manager, Director of Fundraising, Director of Marketing Research, Director of Public Relations, Annual Giving Officer, any position in Planned Giving.)

I'll need two big skillsets: the essential tools of fundraising management and non profit administration. To get there I'll start with (1) the fundamentals of fundraising, (2) Major Gifts (3) Planned Giving (4) annual campaigns (5) Grants (6) Research for fundraising. Then onto Non Profit Administration information (1) marketing for non profits (2) non profit management (3) quantinative techniques for policy making and administration.

Doesn't that all sound like fun?

Another goal is to narrow down the amount of areas that interest me in order to focus. My interest list is Hella long:

1. African Amercan/blacks
2. Agriculture and food
3. Arts and Culture
4. Youth/Children
5. Civil and Human Rights
6. Civil Society
7. Community Improvement/Development
8. Disabilities
9. Education
10. Elementary and Secondary Education
11. Environment
12. Higher Education
13. Human Services
14. International Affairs/Development
15. Journalism Media
16. Minorities
17. Public Affairs
18. Philanthropy and Volunteerism
19. Social Science
20. Women

To that end I found a couple great online resouces to get started on my little crusade, The Foundation Center.

I'm off to the races. Wish me luck, I'll be posting what I learn :-P