The Golden Rules for fundraising are:

• everything begins with strategy
• successful fundraising based on clear strategic thinking and integrated into your overall plan.
• always think long term
• sustainable planning at the heart of your organization's fundraising
• don't lock yourself in - don't stretch yourself thin
• diversify your fundraising options but do not over- reach yourself
• always consider the legal and ethical implication's of your organization's fundraising
• take advantage of the tax reliefs - make the most of tax- effective giving in your country
• be creative:
• the best fundraising is driven by imagination, creativity and passion.

Analysing your organization's fundraising base:

• your organization needs a clear understanding of its current fundraising base and how this might be developed. Questions you need to ask and answer are:
• what is the overall structure of your funding and where does fundraising fit into it?
• what types of income are you receiving?
• is this income spread across a range or sources or are you heavily dependent on a limited number of sources?
• who are the donors you depend on most and how long do you expect to retain them for?
• how much of the income you receive is "restricted" and how much is "free".
• are you making the most of tax - effective giving
• are you building-in contingency plans when developing your strategy.

Do you have the right funding strategy?

In considering whether your organization has the right fundraising strategy, you should consider:

• Your current position - strengths and weaknesses, past fundraising experience, existing fundraising strengths and resources.
• future fundraising needs
• overall funding strategy
• proposed new sources of income
• suggested methods to meet fundraising targets
• resources & actions required to do this

Fundraising income sources

• Governments & European Union
• Trusts and Foundations
• The National Lottery
• Corporate
• Members
• Supporters
• Major donors
• Committed or regular donors
• One-off fundraising
• Community
• Board members personally and through their contacts

Suresh Lalvani