Capital Campaigns (BLOG)

Denella Clark, President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy Foundation, shares the key elements from her school’s $32M comprehensive campaign, equity-driven fundraising practices, and school-specific capital campaign advice.

Strategies and Tips for Running a Successful Capital Campaign (VIDEO)

Capital campaigns can be a huge undertaking but also provide significant benefits to the community by helping your organization achieve major goals and deliver on its mission. Seasoned capital campaign fundraiser, Denella Clark, shares key ingredients you need to launch a successful capital campaign.

Making a Case for Operating Reserves (VIDEO)

An operating reserve allows nonprofits to stabilize their finances when unexpected events or expenses occur. Hear from Denella about how she made a case for raising operating reserves in her school’s comprehensive campaign.

Engaging High-Net-Worth Individuals in Capital Campaigns (VIDEO)

Individuals account for 40% of the total giving for capital campaigns. Check out fundraising expert Denella Clark’s tips for engaging high-net-worth individuals.

Capital Campaign Resources

Capital Campaign Case Statements Resources

James Heugas, the Regional Director at Washington Charter School Development, demystifies the charter public school facility landscape in Washington and shares advice on how to build relationships with lenders.

Charter School Facilities Resources

How To Engage Corporate Partners (VIDEO)

Corporate partners are a unique donor group that provides financial and in-kind support, matching gift opportunities, and bringing mission-aligned volunteers to the school. Watch the video to hear how Scott identifies, qualifies, cultivates, asks, and stewards corporate partners.

Corporate Partnerships Resources

Building an Event and Development Program (VIDEO)

Rainier Prep has hosted three successful fundraising events, in-person and virtually, to support core program operations. Check out a conversation with the school’s founding teacher and development director, Scott Hicke, to learn tips on how they exceeded their fundraising goals while building a strong community of supporters.

Event Fundraising & Year-end Appeal Resources

Comprehensive Event Fundraising Guide & Giving Days Resources

Student-Led Fundraising Campaigns (VIDEO)

Student storytelling is one way to center student voices, honor ethical storytelling practices, and engage your community in supporting the future of your school. Meet Eole and Mo, 6^th and 7^th graders, and co-founder Sara Rolfs at Pinnacles Prep on how they launched their student-led fundraising campaign.

Crowdfunding through DonorsChoose (BLOG)

Currently, 87% of public schools nationally are crowdfunding through DonorsChoose. Spokane International Academy (SIA) uses DonorsChoose to fund classroom projects from hundreds of donors. Travis Franklin, SIA Founder, shares his tips on setting up and creating successful campaigns.

Fundraising Campaign Resources

Crowdfunding & Donors Choose Resources

Institutional Funding Types (VIDEO)

While institutional funding makes up 25% of all US philanthropy, it accounts for almost 100% of the fundraising revenue for charter public schools. Check out this video with Gillia Bakie, founder and principal of Flicker Consulting, to refresh your institutional giving knowledge and the differences between foundation types.

Grant Funding Strategies for Foundation Types (VIDEO)

In this video, Gillia walks you through the various foundation types – family, small and community, national, and community foundations and United Ways – and the specific strategies to get funded.

Tips for Writing a Successful Grant Proposal (VIDEO)

Seasoned grant writer and consultant Gillia Bakie speaks about the importance of being clear about 1) your community’s actual demand, 2) your short, mid-term, and long-term impact, and 3) alignment of your shared values. Watch this video to learn three tips for writing a successful grant proposal.

Equitable and Empowering Grant Writing (VIDEO)

As fundraising professionals, we must center the community we support by using asset-based and empowering language to talk about them in our communication and grant proposals. Gillia takes inspiration from Community-Centric Fundraising and has been on a journey to incorporate asset-based language in her grant proposals. Check out her tips and resources.

Grants and Foundation Resources
Equitable Language in Grant Writing Resources

2024 Fundraising Trends, Stewardship & Institutional Giving Resources

How To Engage Major Donors (VIDEO)

According to CCS Fundraising, major gift requests yield the highest ROI for charter schools. In this video, major gift expert, Nashmeen Moslehuddin, shares tactical strategies for engaging with major donors, from identification to stewardship, and tips for making a strong ask.

Bringing Donors onto a DEI Journey (VIDEO)

With over two decades of experience in fundraising, Nashmeen shares what inspired her to stay in fundraising and how her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has helped her lead courageous conversations with donors. She advised that organizations must do their internal work and reground in their mission and vision before bringing donors on a DEI journey.

Major Gift Fundraising Resources

Preparing for a Funder Ask (BLOG)

Scott Canfield, Co-Founder of Why Not You Academy, shares how he and his board prepared for funder asks and secured the partnership with the Why Not You Foundation.

Donor Solicitation Role-Play – Donor said Yes (VIDEO)

Many people struggle with the mechanics of the ask itself and fear that making asks people in their network will ruin personal relationships. Learn how to make an ask without compromising relationships. In this video, Nashmeen walks us through a conversation with a donor who said yes and what made this ask successful.

Donor Solicitation Role-Play – Donor said No (VIDEO)

One of the most uncomfortable parts of fundraising for leaders and board members is often asking for money. It’s mostly due to the fear of rejection. In this video, Nashmeen models how she handles the situation when a donor says no and the learnings she took away from that experience.

Solicitation Tips

Donor Newsletter Tips from Charter Public Schools (BLOG)

An easy way to steward your donors is by creating a quarterly or monthly newsletter to showcase the school and highlight how the donors’ gifts are making an impact. Learn how communications specialists across the Washington charter sector cultivated and stewarded donors through their donor newsletter.

Donor Stewardship Resources

Donor Newsletters Samples & Resources

2024 Fundraising Trends, Stewardship & Institutional Giving Resources

Ethical AI Practices in Fundraising: Harnessing Innovation Responsibly