Because charities are generally nonprofit organizations, they face special and ongoing challenges when trying to get funding to provide support in whatever way they choose. Funding for charities often comes from grants or support from generous donors or volunteers. Fundraisers or other events where the charity will host a gathering, such as a gala or dinner, are also common sources of funding for charities. Most charities have at least one staff member, if not more, depending on the size of the charity, solely focused on outreach and development. This person will continuously search for more sources of funding that can help keep the charity going.
Grants are one of the best sources of funding for charities. It may take some time to find grants, especially from private donors, but it is worth the research. Searching online for grants specific to the charity's cause is relatively simple, and often the application can be completed online. Charity volunteers will sometimes have experience in grant writing and will be willing to oversee this process, thereby saving the charity even more of its valuable funds if it does not have to pay a staff member to do it. The government will also often have grants available to qualifying nonprofits as well.
Staff members focused on outreach and development may be able to focus their energy on obtaining funding for charities in different ways, such as approaching individual people and requesting donations. If the charities host special events, sponsors may be willing to provide funds or rental items in exchange for advertising. People experienced in approaching donors or potential sponsors should do this to ensure a positive relationship and rapport is established between the donor and the charity, and to help ensure that the donor will be willing to continue that relationship in the future. The perception of the charity in the local community is very important, especially among other local business owners.
Special events and fundraisers can be a great source of funding for charities. Gala dinners, charity auctions, or even something as simple as bake sales can all offer additional funding. Events where community participation is encouraged, such as races where participants can walk or run and solicit monetary sponsorships from friends and family for their efforts, are also quite popular. Getting the word out about the charity in as many ways as possible, including through local advertising and postings on social websites, is important as well. Obtaining charity funding is a never ending prospect for most organizations, especially in more challenging economic times, but with some creativity and a lot of effort it is entirely possible.
