General Operating Support: Making the Case to Grant Makers

Raising money for rent, salaries, and other administrative expenses is difficult for nonprofits. Many foundations want to support specific programs or projects, rather than covering overhead expenses that enable operations. WhatÕs worse, only 31 percent of fundraisers feel they can talk to donors about the need for such funding.

How can you demonstrate the return on investing in your organizationÕs long-term health to attract unrestricted support from grant makers?

Join us for a one-hour online session to learn directly from two grant makers who buck the trend and encourage nonprofits to seek general operating support. YouÕll learn from Kathy Reich, director of the Ford FoundationÕs Build program, which provides $200 million a year in general operating support to groups tied to social movements. SheÕll explain how to make a strong case for unrestricted dollars, including how to set and defend your overhead rate. Reich also will showcase real-world examples of smart ways nonprofits have demonstrated impact over time.

Plus, sheÕll share a tool to help assess your organizationÕs strengths, weaknesses, and financial needs and explain how to use the data to build a compelling case for overhead support.

Mindy Aldridge, president of the Nelson Foundation, will share tips for gauging the likelihood that a donor will support your operations, broaching the subject of operating expenses, and communicating the value of helping your nonprofit meet its day-to-day needs.

What Will You Learn?
Ways to show foundations that unrestricted grants will achieve their philanthropic goals
Tips for demonstrating the impact of overhead support in ways that resonate with grant makers
How to explain your budgetary needs and connect them to the long-term impact of your organization

Who Should Attend?
Executive directors
Grant-proposal writers
Chief development officers, development directors, and fundraisers