Fund Advisors Toolkit

Thank you, neighbor, for all you do to lead and support our region in meaningful ways. By contributing your energy and expertise, you make a sustainable impact on the lives of those who call our community home.

The files that follow all together make up the Northwest Minnesota Foundation Fund Advisor Toolkit, as grouped by topic area. Each file is downloaded by clicking on the corresponding text.

Introduction: Begin here!

Welcome

Useful Information

learning opportunities

Fundraising Guidelines

Guidelines for fundraising

Operations: Important forms and processes

Useful forms

NMF Forms, Policies and Procedures

Useful Information

Community Funds

DISASTER FUNDS

Disaster Fund Toolkit

EVENT PLANNING

Event checklist

Planning: Establishing a strong foundation for success

INTRODUCTION

Introduction – Strategic and Action Plans

Mission or Purpose Statements

Voting and Consensus (Fist to Five )

SETTING YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS

Who Should be Involved

Planning Your Success

Information to Review During the Planning Process

GOING DEEPER: IN DEPTH PLANNING TOOLS

Completing a SWOT Analysis

Goal and Action Development

STRATEGIC PLANNING

Strategic Plan Framework

Keys to a Successful Strategic Plan

Marketing: How to get the word out about your fund and impact

Introduction

How to Market Your Fund

Templates and Forms

Marketing Plan Template – Fillable

Press Release Template – Fillable

Image Release Form

FAQs and Information

What is a Component Fund

Benefits of a Component Fund

Talking Points and Addressing Questions

Marketing Plans

Keys to a Successful Marketing Plan

Creating a Marketing Plan

Marketing Plan Template – Sample

Marketing Plan Template – Fillable

Community Fund Logo Guidelines

Community Fund Logo Guidelines

Press Release Examples

Press Release Template – Fillable

Grant Recipient Announcement Example

Request for Proposals Example

Scholarship (or new fund) Established Example

Seeking Volunteers Example

Brochures and Flyers

NMF: Community Compass/Who We Are Flyer

NMF: Philanthropy Flyer

NMF: Giving flyer

Request for Proposals Example

NMF: Ag Land Legacy

Brochure (Sample) Friend of the Fair

Brochure (Sample) Park Rapids

Brochure (Sample) Stephen

Brochure (Sample) Thief River Falls

Flyer (Sample) Community Fund

Flyer (Sample) Education Fund

Fundraising and Endowment

introduction

What is an Endowment?

How Does an Endowment Work?

Endowment Development

Building Donor Relationships

Fund Development Tips and Tech

Fund Development Goals

The Elevator Speech

Professional Advisors

Key Ideas of a Successful “Ask”

Successful fundraising tools

Determining Fundraising Goals

Fund Advisor Script – Gift Ask or Meeting Request

How to Write a Fundraising Letter

Letter (Sample) Western Norman County

Letter (Sample) Year End Appeal to Business

Letter (Sample) Fertile-Beltrami

Letter (Sample) Crookston ECI

Remittance Envelope (Sample)

Fund Donation Form (fillable)

Gifts of Grain (commodities) Form

Gifts of Grain (commodities) One-pager

fundraising events

Special Event Fundraising

Event Checklist

Event Press Release (Sample)

Give to the Max Day

Info Sheet / Frequently Asked Questions

How-To Guide (step-by-step directions on creating a fundraiser page)

How-to VIDEO Guide (step-by-step directions on creating a fundraiser page)

Grant-making

introduction

Benefits of Grant-Making

Building Better Lives through Stewardship

what is the process?

Fund Advisory Committee Grantmaking Process

Grant Applications and Recommendations

forms and tools

Sample: Paper Grant Application

Grant Recommendation Form

Belonging

Introduction

Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging: Resources