Sunday, May 5, 2013
I can't believe how quickly time has passed! Since my car accident I haven't really had time to do much more than go to doctors, fix health issues and heal. All while still trying to run CLIPArts and keep my sanity! So, my blog has most definitely been neglected! WELL, no more! Enough of that! My business suffered a bit as well, I haven't been able to do as much fundraising work, but I have been doing quite a bit of grant writing, and not just for CLIPArts, but for others as well.
I have also had the opportunity to work with a couple of groups who want to start their own 501c3. In fact I heard from one such organization today - they sent me a thank you note for helping them and told me that after only 3.5 months, they are official! I can't wait to start helping them earn some money!
Starting your own 501c3 isn't really a difficult process, it is more tedious actually, and it is a lot of waiting. The thing to do is to decide if that is truly the direction you want to go, and then to define which 501c3 category your organization qualifies for. Yup, there is more than one!
For example a church may be a 501c3, but they are a religious 501c3, which is different from an educational or charitable 501c3.
Section 501(c)(3) is the portion of the US Internal Revenue Code that allows for federal tax exemption of nonprofit organizations, specifically those that are considered public charities, private foundations or private operating foundations. It is regulated and administered by the US Department of Treasury through the Internal Revenue Service. There are other 501(c) organizations, indicated by categories 501(c)(1) – 501(c)(28). This discussion will focus on 501(c)(3).
Entities that can seek 501(c)(3) determination from the IRS include corporations, trusts, community chests, LLCs[1], and unincorporated associations. The overwhelming majority of 501(c)(3) organizations are nonprofit corporations.
The CLIPArts Program that I manage is under the Lutheran Church's 501c3, therefore we are under the religious category. We have often debated whether or not to separate and form our own, independent, 501c3. While it would be nice to be independent, there are also many benefits to staying beneath the church's umbrella.
More on this later - the consulting work I have done regarding this topic has inspired me to write about it, so, my next entry will focus on how to start the process of forming your own 501c3.
;-) E~
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
A Leap of Faith
Opening my own business is something I have wanted to do for so long - but taking that leap was terrifying. Now that I am here, I can't believe I waited so long.
After applying for jobs all over Tulare County, jobs I knew that I was qualified for, and not getting interviews, I started to worry. A very wise friend told me to think about what I know and what I do best. He had me make a list. I realized that I know PR - and I know fundraising. It seems that everything I do involves fundraising. I understand the frustrations of spending the day in the hot sun, washing other people's cars - and only making $200. It's not worth the time.
Fund-raising that is innovative and profitable - that's the goal, right? So, here I am, just 4 weeks into my new business and already I can't keep up. I haven't done much in the way of advertising, I haven't had to - word of mouth and connections from my past, and present, have been all that is necessary to make this happen. I am so thankful for the flexibility of my schedule, and I guess there's a bit of my dad in me. I love the thought of being my own boss. I have worked for others, and my last 3 supervisors have been egomaniacs who aren't really interested in working toward what's best for the organization, but what's best for them. From literally stealing money from my paycheck, to manipulating funds so that more ends up their pockets, lying, taking credit for the work of others.... each job was it's own ethical nightmare.
JEST4Fun is an opportunity for me to work with others to raise funds for their organization. Most of the people I am working with are volunteers - which means they are passionate about what they do. What a wonderful relief!
Some upcoming fundraisers include:
Comedy Sportz - Redwood HS vs El Diamante HS
Trip to NYC!
Trip to Calaveras
Game Show night
I am working on grants for several organizations, including an arts based after school program and a horse rescue ranch.
Good people, doing good work!
:) E~
After applying for jobs all over Tulare County, jobs I knew that I was qualified for, and not getting interviews, I started to worry. A very wise friend told me to think about what I know and what I do best. He had me make a list. I realized that I know PR - and I know fundraising. It seems that everything I do involves fundraising. I understand the frustrations of spending the day in the hot sun, washing other people's cars - and only making $200. It's not worth the time.
Fund-raising that is innovative and profitable - that's the goal, right? So, here I am, just 4 weeks into my new business and already I can't keep up. I haven't done much in the way of advertising, I haven't had to - word of mouth and connections from my past, and present, have been all that is necessary to make this happen. I am so thankful for the flexibility of my schedule, and I guess there's a bit of my dad in me. I love the thought of being my own boss. I have worked for others, and my last 3 supervisors have been egomaniacs who aren't really interested in working toward what's best for the organization, but what's best for them. From literally stealing money from my paycheck, to manipulating funds so that more ends up their pockets, lying, taking credit for the work of others.... each job was it's own ethical nightmare.
JEST4Fun is an opportunity for me to work with others to raise funds for their organization. Most of the people I am working with are volunteers - which means they are passionate about what they do. What a wonderful relief!
Some upcoming fundraisers include:
Comedy Sportz - Redwood HS vs El Diamante HS
Trip to NYC!
Trip to Calaveras
Game Show night
I am working on grants for several organizations, including an arts based after school program and a horse rescue ranch.
Good people, doing good work!
:) E~
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Grant Writing - A Few Things to Think About Before You Begin...
Grants can be a godsend to solve financial shortcomings for non-profit and educational organizations. However, two major stumbling blocks are associated with attaining grants: locating them and writing them.
Before your search even begins, you must have a project that you wish to fund. What is it that you want to accomplish? Any project you support must align with the needs of your organization. Grant providers want to clearly see the necessity of your program or project. To make sure that your project fulfills a need, compare what you have now to what you feel your organization needs or should have. Use this information to create possible solutions. The upfront time spent investigating this chasm between your reality and your vision for it will pay off when it comes time to write your grant proposal. Do some preliminary research to find a solid basis for your idea. Map out the steps necessary to complete your project including necessary funding at each step. Remember throughout your design phase to keep in mind how you will evaluate your project using measurable outcomes.
Make a preliminary project worksheet concerning what you believe you will need for your project. By doing this, you can get a clear picture of what the grant you are searching for must look like. Some items your chart could include are:
* Project Overview
* Need for Project
* Research Sources
* Amount Needed
* Special Circumstance
* Evaluation Methods
The most important piece of advice you can get when beginning your grant search is to carefully match your project with the grantor's award requirements; don't change your organization to fit the grant, find the grant that fits your organization. For example, if the desired grant is only given to schools in inner cities, only apply if you meet that criterion. Otherwise, you'll be wasting your time. With that in mind, three major sources for grant money exist: Federal and State Governments, Private Foundations, and Corporations. Each has its own agenda and differing levels of requirements concerning who can apply, the application process itself, how the money must be spent, and the methods of evaluation.
Grant writing is time consuming, but worth the effort! Actually finding funding sources can sometimes be the hardest part. SO, before you begin the search, develop your preliminary project worksheet, this helps define your paramenters and is the first step to finding the most appropriate funding sources.
Before your search even begins, you must have a project that you wish to fund. What is it that you want to accomplish? Any project you support must align with the needs of your organization. Grant providers want to clearly see the necessity of your program or project. To make sure that your project fulfills a need, compare what you have now to what you feel your organization needs or should have. Use this information to create possible solutions. The upfront time spent investigating this chasm between your reality and your vision for it will pay off when it comes time to write your grant proposal. Do some preliminary research to find a solid basis for your idea. Map out the steps necessary to complete your project including necessary funding at each step. Remember throughout your design phase to keep in mind how you will evaluate your project using measurable outcomes.
Make a preliminary project worksheet concerning what you believe you will need for your project. By doing this, you can get a clear picture of what the grant you are searching for must look like. Some items your chart could include are:
* Project Overview
* Need for Project
* Research Sources
* Amount Needed
* Special Circumstance
* Evaluation Methods
The most important piece of advice you can get when beginning your grant search is to carefully match your project with the grantor's award requirements; don't change your organization to fit the grant, find the grant that fits your organization. For example, if the desired grant is only given to schools in inner cities, only apply if you meet that criterion. Otherwise, you'll be wasting your time. With that in mind, three major sources for grant money exist: Federal and State Governments, Private Foundations, and Corporations. Each has its own agenda and differing levels of requirements concerning who can apply, the application process itself, how the money must be spent, and the methods of evaluation.
Grant writing is time consuming, but worth the effort! Actually finding funding sources can sometimes be the hardest part. SO, before you begin the search, develop your preliminary project worksheet, this helps define your paramenters and is the first step to finding the most appropriate funding sources.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Adventures in Education Classes in Three Rivers - something for everyone!!!
Part of my new business will be working with local artists and educators to offer affordable classes - jest4fun! (just for fun... :) ) All classes take place at the Three Rivers Art Center. Contact me ahead of time to register, or simply show up on the first day. (The only exceptions to this will be the currach class and the cooking class)
The first series begins next week, and we will be adding more classes as the schedule allows. If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact me at jestlamar@wildblue.net. Hope you have a wonderful week!
The first series begins next week, and we will be adding more classes as the schedule allows. If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact me at jestlamar@wildblue.net. Hope you have a wonderful week!
· Toll Painting: Taught by Tina Wright
Mondays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm $45 per month
· Watercolor for Adults: Taught by Kacey Fansett
Tuesdays 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm $15 per class or $45 per month
· American Sign Language: Taught by Elizabeth LaMar
Thursdays 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm $25 per month
· Let’s Build a Currach!: Taught by Arlin Talley
Saturdays - September 4 & 18 - October 9 & 23 - November 6 & 20 - December 4 & 11 9:00 am to Noon $95 (total cost)
Participants must be old enough to handle power tools and hand tools (chisel, plane, hammer, etc.) A minimum of 7 participants is required for the workshop. The currach is a type of boat developed and used along the west coast of Ireland & Scotland, with various styles depending on the location and use. It is a wooden frame boat, covered with a skin (now of canvas and painted), with a raised bow section and rounded bottom without a keel. It was used for sea-fishing, hauling livestock, and general transport along the coastal waterways. Currachs remain in use mostly for access to larger vessels, recreation, and racing. The participants in the workshop will build a currach based on a design by New World Currachs ©, and will learn something of the history & design of currachs, and the culture of the west coast of Ireland. New World Currachs is a family venture dedicated to the traditions of Irish boat-making and to the simple beauty of the boats that have taken the Irish to sea for work and sport for hundreds of years. Three generations of our family are at work across the U.S. – in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in Duluth, Minnesota; and in Three Rivers, California – to bring New World energy to this Old World craft. Our boats, oars and replicas are all carefully made by hand from fine lumber and hardware, to assure that they are both elegant and seaworthy as their Irish ancestors.
· Drama for Kids: Taught by Stephanie Quillen
Saturdays 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm $45 per month
· Introduction to Tai Cooking: Taught by Lori Isley
Thursday, September 9th 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm $20
Learn about Asian ingredients, make 2 favorite Thai dishes, Fresh Spring Rolls and Phad Thai. Create a fun meal, take home a new technique or two and explore fun times in the kitchen. Must bring your own chef knife and 2 containers to bring home leftovers. Must be registered 7 days prior to class to participate.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Just say no to the next Car Wash or Spaghetti Dinner!
Fund-raising, there may be 11 letters, but for many it is the equivalent of a 4 letter word. Just take a look around, everyone is raising money for something, whether its schools, sports organizations, drama clubs, non-profit medical foundations, non-profit volunteer organizations, the list goes on and on.
Fund-raising is an age old custom, one that every one of us has had to participate in at some level, and honestly most raise a minimum of money with maximum effort. SO, why not reverse that mindset? There are better ways to raise money! Sure, a car wash or Spaghetti Dinner can bring in a few hundred dollars, but was the time and effort worth it? Let's be honest here - how many parents would much rather, if feasible, just give the money to their child's club or sport rather than help them sell candy bars & gift wrap or wash cars?
JEST4Fun! Expeditions and Adventures is an innovative approach to fundraising - contact me for more information on painless and substantial fund-raising. And check back here frequently for my Fundraising 101 tips and strategies for success! jestlamar@wildblue.net :) Elizabeth LaMar
Fund-raising is an age old custom, one that every one of us has had to participate in at some level, and honestly most raise a minimum of money with maximum effort. SO, why not reverse that mindset? There are better ways to raise money! Sure, a car wash or Spaghetti Dinner can bring in a few hundred dollars, but was the time and effort worth it? Let's be honest here - how many parents would much rather, if feasible, just give the money to their child's club or sport rather than help them sell candy bars & gift wrap or wash cars?
JEST4Fun! Expeditions and Adventures is an innovative approach to fundraising - contact me for more information on painless and substantial fund-raising. And check back here frequently for my Fundraising 101 tips and strategies for success! jestlamar@wildblue.net :) Elizabeth LaMar
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