Funding
Resources for funding your communications effort
We are frequently asked, "who funds technology? who funds Internet projects?" And while increasing numbers of foundations are more open to considering technology support, it's still the case that you must be clear about how using technology advances your communications and organizational goals. Organizations that are successful in funding their communications projects have done the necessary footwork; they've:
And the results of this footwork should then be reflected in the grant proposal, so that the funder is as clear as you are about how their support will advance your mission and project goals.
Visit the resources below for suggestions on how to incorporate communications and technology into your proposals, as well as ideas for other ways of generating If you are searching for funding for a new technology-based initiative at your organization, see also our list of funders that are supportive of communications technology.
Tools & Resources:
Use these how-to articles and tip sheets to help build support for your communications effort.
Now Hear This: Budget for Success
This Fenton Communications guide offers a brief overview of funding and budgeting for a successful communications campaign.
Tech Bucks
NPower offers up five suggestions for crafting a winning technology proposal. See also their Technology Fundraising Resources.
Enabling Technology Funding: Issues for Grantmakers (and Grantseekers)
IT Resource Center provides an overview of how and why technology should be built into nonprofits' approach to funding and into funders' expectations, including model language for proposals.
Technology Budgeting Basics
John Kenyon of the Management Center suggests standards for overcoming the challenge of budgeting for technology. The author encourages nonprofits to understand the economic realities of maintaining computers and to budget for repairs and upgrades.
Finding Money for Technology
Office.com offers a great introduction for nonprofits just starting their search for technology funding.
Lights…Action…Camera!
Creating a video message on the cheap
This article from the Nonprofit Times offers a step-by-step guide
for using video to aid in the fundraising goals of your organization.
This includes specific tips on how to storyboard such a video. The
companion article Fundraising
Videos: Part II outlines the various technical needs for
producing such a video.
"Casting
the Net -- Creative Fundraising for Communications Technology"
Open Studio's Digital Canvas Magazine addresses the technology fundraising dilemma faced by nonprofits.
Profiles:
For inspiration, read these stories and lessons learned by other nonprofits that addressed the challenges of funding their communications efforts.
Presenting
a Successful Electronic Journal Subscription Model
Stuart Peters, for the online journal first monday writes
about how nonprofits, as knowledge intensive organizations, seek
to make revenue off of selling this knowledge.
What to Watch:
These articles discuss the latest trends in funding communications technology.
Communications and Technology Funding Trends
Current trends in funding for communications and technology.
Communications Funding
Visit Benton's list of funders that support communications technology initiatives.
Online Funding Research
Visit these sites to research general funding opportunities.
Council on Foundations' Community Foundation Locator
A searchable database of community foundations across the United States.
Foundation Center Grantmaker Info
Links to grantmaker Web sites and can be searched by funder type and keyword.
Progressive Pubs' Search for Foundations
A database of progressive foundations that can be searched by topic area or alphabetically. Free registration is required to access resources.
Fundsnet
Fundsnet provides links to funding resources and opportunities and is updated daily.
Last updated: 17 September 2001 mff
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