blueprints

232 | toolkit: hammer, saw, and nails
8. If they agree to donate, invite them to be involved with your
actual programs in appropriate ways and follow through if they
express interest.
9. Find as many appropriate ways as possible to thank donors and
to report to them on your work, and do so early and often.
10. For more specifics, check the resources in Nuts, Bolts, and
Widgets.
C. Foundations and corporations
1. Use the Nuts, Bolts, and Widgets resources to identify foundations
and corporations that fund arts organizations and other
nonprofits in your community.
2. Look at each possible target foundation or corporation carefully
for overlap between its mission and yours.
3. Examine guidelines to see which opportunities you qualify for.
4. Make note of all deadlines and of organizations that review
applications throughout the year.
5. Find out whether you need letters of support, and gather them
if you do; give letter writers plenty of lead time and remind
them gently of deadlines as they approach.
6. Be careful in each proposal to identify and highlight those areas
in which your mission and the granting organizations’ missions
align.
7. Follow guidelines and directions to the letter in creating proposals
and accompanying budgets.
8. Follow any news of a donation with an immediate thank-you
note.
9. Adhere to any requests about acknowledgment.
10. Beyond such requests, find ways to acknowledge support publicly,
and follow through.
11. If possible and appropriate, invite foundation officers and representatives
to receptions and other events.
12. Fulfill any requests for reports meticulously.
13. Regardless of whether a report is required, finish your program
or season by sending thank-you notes that communicate what
the gifts enabled you to do.