Fundraising for Conservation Projects

Many funding opportunities require matching funds. Sometimes funding matches can be in the form of donated time, goods or services, but there must be some tracking method to show that the match requirements have been met. Sometimes the match must be in actual dollars. That would mean you would need to have the matching funds in hand by the time the proposal is funded, or that a project partner is putting up funds to meet the match requirement.

Proposals requiring a match will detail out exactly what the grantor will accept as a match. Sometimes state or county funds can be used as a match for federal projects.

Grants aren't the only means of getting money for a conservation project. If you need the funds NOW, the easiest way to get it is to hold a fundraising event. fundraising events are also great ways to involve the larger community in your project.

Fundraising can involve nearly anything from the typical plant sale to hosting a seminar, T-shirt sales, recycled cell phones, and the even a community yard sale (which is what our rural library does). Local rotary Clubs may also have ideas bout putting on events, and don't forget the fundraising idea books at your local library.

TIP: Keep Fundraising Simple, and make sure it falls within the legal scope of your organization.

Sampling of Fundraising Resources:

Goodsearch.Com

A new search engine that donates half its revenue—about a penny per search—to the charities its users designate. If your organization has a web site, it might be just the item you need.
 

Fundraising Ideas: Products, Online, Events, Fundraiser Help

Help for planning, running and improving your product, online, e-mail or in-person fundraising events.
 

Dutch Gardens Flowers

Flower Power Fundraising might be just the ticket to gain momentum for your project.
 

Fundraising Ideas That Work for Grassroots Groups

An online book from Canada takes a more corporate approach to fundraising. This is a good source of information for bigger fundraising efforts and campaigns. Also downloadable as pdf.
 

Fundsnet Services

A comprehensive list of fundraising programs that have been used successfully by small nonprofits to reach their goals.
 

Fundsraiser Cyberzine

Ignore the rustic web site, and take advantage of the online magazine bringing fundraisers how-to hands-on ideas. You can subscribe to their free newsletter for ideas.
 

Fundraising Ideas

There's a ton of great ideas in the DIY section.
 

Fundraising Companies

Selling something is one way to raise bucks. So is collecting items to recycle. 1200 companies listed.
 

Charity Village

Selected articles, in 55 subject areas in the research section, from a variety of sources to help you find a way to raise the money you need.
 

Fundraiser Yellow Pages

The Fundraising Yellow Pages are made for the fundraiser of a small group like a booster club, sports team, marching band, cheerleader, scout group, school club, church group, fraternal organization and civic group.
 

Earning the Money

Sometimes your group can generate funds for your project through contracting agreements. You may be able to create the means to pay for your staff and create some great projects through contracting services for your local community!

Groups that have accomplished this type of 'earn the match money' include Firesafe Councils who provide chipping to landowners for woodwaste, groups that specialize in removing invasive plants, streamside restoration, tree planting, and similar contracting activity. Care must be taken not to violate nonprofit standing, but many groups can actually do contracting as a part of their conservation project, essentailly hiring themselves to do the project work. It's all in how the proposal is written.

Fed Biz Opps

Replacing the old 'Commerce Business Daily' is the new 'Fed Biz Opps', where the government shops. If you can't find a grant maybe you can contract with the gov to do conservation work.
 

Doing Business with GPO

Access the Federal Register, where the federal rules are published, notices for grants, requests for proposal, or access one of the federal databases.
 

Government Contracting Info

This is a commercial site, not a government-run site. It is an information resource for the Government Contracting industry.There has been free access to Commerce Business Daily, and extensive free contracting information. You need to register to fully use the site, but registration has been free: Note, this may change over time.
 

Federal Contracting Made Easy

It is basically a 'Dummies' book now in it's second edition, covering how to sell to the federal government (a complex process made easier with knowledge).
 

California Information

California Department of General Services

California state bid packages are available online, as well as program information and useful articles. California was one of the early adopters of using the web to distribute information about contracts so it's worth checking out as a learning experience.
 

ABOUT CYBER-SIERRA

Cyber-Sierra is a one-woman business. I build natural resource webs and conduct information searches. I specialize in developing content for conservation web sites which can be maintained by volunteer staff. Visit Cyber-Sierra.Com for details.

Looking for work? Cyber-Sierra's Natural Resources Job Search gets thousands of visitors each week looking for jobs in natural resource and environmental occupations. Established in 1997, the site has always been free for job seekers. Employers may advertise for modest fees. Stop by for a visit and you may find your dream job in an conservation occupation!

  A thought for every day:
"Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things." (Philippians 4:8)

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