Results tagged ‘ Fundraising ’
Match Game: The Importance of Matching Funds
For most grant-making organizations, an applicant’s ability to demonstrate available matching funds to support the proposed project and sustain the program or facility is a key factor of the evaluation criteria. Many grant-making organizations prefer to be one of many sources of funding for an organization or project.
Keep these notes in mind when you are applying for a grant:
- Matching funds may include cash already raised or allocated for the proposed project.
- Matching funds may include donated labor, services or materials relevant to the proposed project – also called in-kind funding. You can estimate the value of in-kind funding by using current cost estimates for the donation (i.e. how much you would have to pay for the item or service if it wasn’t donated.)
- Depending upon the type of project, such as a construction project, it may be very important that the applicant demonstrate available cash for cost increases, overruns or other unexpected costs. Grantmakers will look carefully and think twice if all available matching funds is in-kind with no cash.
- Do not wait until after you submit a grant application to a foundation or corporation to begin your fundraising campaign to individuals. According to data from Giving USA 2012, the Annual Report on Philanthropy highlighted on CharityNavigator.org, giving by individuals represents nearly 9 out of every 10 dollars donated, compared to corporate giving which accounted for just 5% of the total giving last year.
- Think about new and innovative ways to raise funding locally. Consider online donations, fun and casual events like Happy Hours (for adults only, of course), online auctions with donated products and services from local businesses or sponsors, etc. Hold a brainstorming session with members of your organization to make a list of who and what to target. Ask around: see what other non-profits are doing in your community to raise money.
If you only remember one thing: start your local fundraising campaign to individuals and local businesses before applying for a grant from a foundation or corporation.
Good luck!
Pod-Cast: Fundraising Opportunities Offered by MLB Clubs
Fundraising is essential for the successful operation of non-profits. Fundraising can be completed in a multitude of ways — from 5K runs, silent auctions and galas to bake sales, car washes and even cold calls.
Non-profits in Major League markets may also turn to MLB Clubs for support. MLB Clubs support many worthwhile causes including health, recreation and education programs. Each team strives to make an impact on the community in which they are located and most provide fundraising opportunities to local organizations.
These opportunities come in many forms, but the most common is “in-kind donations,” of autographed items, game tickets or team merchandise for use as auction and raffle prizes. Other fundraising opportunities include the availability of an informational booth at the stadium for organizations to distribute information and allowing groups to work at the concession stands to earn a portion of the proceeds.
If you would like to learn more about opportunities with nearby MLB Club, here are the steps:
- Visit your MLB home team’s community page. Easiest way is to Google, for example, “the Boston Red Sox Community.” The Community page will tell you everything the Club is doing within the community: the causes they support, the events they host, and the fundraising opportunities they offer.
- Search. Look for the following key words or sections on the community page: “fundraising opportunities,” “in-kind donations,” or anything of the like. Each Club page and opportunities will be different so it’s going to take a little digging around.
- Locate. Find the opportunity that fits your organization’s needs or criteria.
- Apply! If applicable, fill out the electronic form. Most Clubs will ask for the basics about your organization; EIN (federal tax identification number,) year it was started, the type of organization and so forth. You’ll also need to provide a main contact and their information as well as details pertaining to the type of event you are having. Of course, be sure to read through the specific requirements, rules for application, and guidelines completely before submitting your application.
As challenging and rewarding fundraising is, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that your favorite MLB heavy hitters may be willing to help you out. Head over to your team’s community page, do a little digging around and submit your organization for an opportunity. Who knows? You may end up with the hottest item at this year’s auction.
Fundraising Tips-
Gail Perry, author of Fired Up Fundraising: Turn Board Passion into Action and founder of Gail Perry Associates, a Raleigh, North Carolina-based consulting and training firm, provides tips for fundraising through direct mail.
Check out the tips here.
Need more tips? Check our Ms. Perry’s website here.
The Orlando After-School All-Stars and the South Florida After School All-Stars.
Learn a little more about two of BTF’s third quarter grant recipients, the Orlando After-School All-Stars and the South Florida After School All-Stars.
After-School All-Stars: Comprehensive after-school programs for at-risk youth.
Orlando After-School All-Stars (Orlando, FL): The local chapter of a national program serves 1,600 children from Orlando middle schools.
The grant will provide funding to increase the number of players in the summer and fall leagues of the organization’s Youth Baseball Development League, a free baseball program to middle school, at-risk children.
South Florida After School All-Stars (Miami, FL): The South Florida After School All-Stars program is the local chapter of a national program that provides year-round, school-based academic, enrichment and health programs to middle school students.
The grant will provide funding for the development of its first organized sports program, which will be a baseball league with partner M-E Baseball, a local recreational youth baseball league.
Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc. (Gary, IN)
Learn a little more about one of BTF’s third quarter grant recipients, the Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc.
Northshore Amateur Sports Academy, Inc. (Gary, IN) was established in 2005 to provide year-round educational and recreational opportunities in the community. The academy provides baseball and softball camps and clinics, an all-sport camp and workshops to more than 800 children.
The grant will provide funding for equipment and player and coaches training material to support a learning and resource center, a groundskeeping academy for youth and coaches training and a college readiness program.
Check out the BTF Website to learn how your organization can apply for a grant!
Baseball Tomorrow Fund 2010 Third Quarter Grant Recipients
BTF Announced the 2010 Third Quarter Grant Recipients
Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) today announced the awarding of third quarter grants totaling more than $215,000 to six communities across the country, including: Gary, Indiana; Gonzales, Louisiana; Miami, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Portland, Maine; and Reidsville, Georgia. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund, a program formed by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, promotes the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses.
FIELD MAINTENANCE TIP OF THE DAY
Field maintenance tip of the day: aeration
Some aeration machines mechanically drive the tines into the ground. Other aeration machines pull the tines across the field, while the tines penetrate the soil based on the weight of the machine.
TIP: Most turf managers prefer the mechanical approach.
The mechanical machines provide a more even distribution of aeration allowing the depth of the tines to remain constant.
GRANT Word of the Day! Matching Grant!
Today’s grant vocabulary word of the day is matching grant.
Matching Grant: A grant awarded with the specification that the amount donated must be matched by the applicant on a one-to-one basis or according to some other prescribed formula.
ATLANTA BRAVES EQUIPMENT DAY NEXT WEEK!!
For those of you in Georgia or near Atlanta… the Braves will be holding their Equipment Day collection next week!
WHEN: Wednesday June 16 & Thursday June 17
EQUIPMENT DRIVE – The Atlanta Braves and the Baseball Tomorrow Fund have teamed up to collect new and gently used baseball and softball equipment. Equipment will be collected in Monument Grove from the time the gates open until the end of the second inning. Fans who make a donation will receive a Braves hat while supplies last and for each item donated fans will be entered into a raffle to win Braves autographed items.
Press Release! 6/9/10
MLB just released this press release about BTF.
BASEBALL TOMORROW FUND
DISTRIBUTES GRANTS PROVIDING
BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL RELATED FUNDING
TO SEVEN COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Baseball Tomorrow Fund (BTF) today announced the awarding of quarterly grants to seven communities across the country including: Avenal, CA; Delano, CA; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; Lawndale, CA; Miami, FL; Newark, NJ; and Richmond, VA. BTF grants help fund programs, field/facility improvements and equipment purchases that help increase opportunities for youth participation in baseball and softball.
“The Baseball Tomorrow Fund is pleased to award funding to these seven deserving communities from around the country,” said Cathy Bradley, Executive Director of the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. “An important step in encouraging youth to participate in baseball and softball is maintaining the quality of equipment, facilities and programs, and we are honored to play a supporting role in the efforts of these outstanding organizations.”
Following are details for each community’s BTF grant:
- City of Avenal (Avenal, CA): The grant will provide funding for the purchase of equipment and uniforms to help establish a new girl’s softball program. Along with the City of Avenal, the program will be launched with the help of the local youth service organization, Responsible Athletes Program (RAP), to address the lack of recreational opportunities for girls in the community. The City of Avenal supports local baseball and softball leagues with the use of city-owned fields and facilities.
- City of Delano (Delano, CA): The grant will provide funding for a field renovation at Morningside Park, including a backstop, fencing, a scoreboard and bleachers. The renovations will transform an existing youth field into regulation size to support growth of the local baseball and softball programs. The City of Delano has provided organized recreational opportunities including youth baseball and softball to children for more than 50 years.
- City of Ft. Lauderdale (Ft. Lauderdale, FL): The grant will provide funding for the purchase of equipment and uniforms for the participants of the Carter Park baseball program, established for at-risk youth residing in the Carter Park area. The program is run by the City of Ft. Lauderdale Parks and Recreation Department and the Front Porch/Dorsey Riverbend Revitalization Council, which will sponsor clinics, fundraising efforts and the marketing of the program.
- Tripark Little League (Lawndale, CA): The grant will provide funding for field renovation costs including fencing, infield mix and sod for the renovation of the youth baseball field located on Lawndale School District property to support its plans to increase participation by adding a second 12 year-old and younger girl’s softball team and a 4 to 6 year-old program. Founded more than 50 years ago, Tripark Little League currently utilizes two youth fields for its program of 300 players.
- Miami Chiefs Baseball, Inc. (Miami, FL): The grant will match local fundraising efforts for registration fees and travel expenses for proposed tournaments in 2010 to increase tournament opportunities for low-income. Founded in 2005, Miami Chiefs Baseball, Inc. provides baseball skills training, conditioning, strength development, tournament exposure and educational counseling.
- North Newark Little League (Newark, NJ): The grant will provide funding for the purchase of batting cages, pitching tunnels and related equipment for a new indoor practice facility located adjacent to the recently renovated Kasberger Field Complex, an artificial turf, multi-use field that includes three youth baseball fields, serving youth the league and the local RBI program. The BTF grant will also help fund expenses for coaches training clinics.
- Boys & Girls Club of Metro Richmond (Richmond, VA): The grant will provide funding for the construction of a youth baseball field at its Bain-bridge branch. The field will replace an under-utilized youth baseball field and will replicate Fenway Park, featuring an artificial surface. The project will support the growth of an after-school program for 6 to 12 year-olds residing in select neighborhoods of south Richmond. The program is also supported by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and the City of Richmond.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund promotes the growth of youth baseball and softball throughout the world by awarding grants to support field renovation and construction projects, equipment and uniform purchases, coaches training material and other selected program expenses. Since its formation by Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association in 1999, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund has awarded over 450 grants totaling more than $17 million to non-profit and tax-exempt organizations in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia. Approximately 180,000 youth players have benefited from programs and facilities supported by the Fund. The Baseball Tomorrow Fund receives approximately 500 applications each year and awards grants on a quarterly basis after a selective review process. For more information, visit www.baseballtomorrowfund.com.
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Contact: Steve Arocho or Dan Queen, Major League Baseball, (212) 931-7878
Greg Bouris, Major League Baseball Players Association, (212) 826-0808
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