Tackling fundraising by involving community members
Abstract
Community members are often overlooked when it comes to writing a grant for an AmeriCorps*VISTA program. However, as experts on local issues, community members can be valuable resources. This practice suggests inviting feedback from community members and including them in the planning and grantwriting process. Excerpted from AmeriCorps*VISTA Source, Summer 1997.Issue
Grantwriting can be challenging for both repeat and first time writers.Action
According to AmeriCorps*VISTA members with the Arkansas Disability Coalition in Little Rock, effective practices include:
- Involve persons in the community you serve from the beginning.
Remember, AmeriCorps*VISTA members are not experts on the problems they try to address; the members of the community are. Invite their feedback, make sure that they are aware of, and in on, the planning process, and ensure that you allow community residents adequate time to review your efforts.
- Prepare a packet of information.
Include information that explains the project, the grantor, areas where resources are needed, and anything else you think is important. Know your issue! Be sure to update the packet after each milestone. This packet may be key in getting community support.
- Know your community.
This seems obvious, perhaps, but we can't emphasize this point strongly enough. Talk to your neighbors. Talk to organizations that have done or are doing similar projects. Find out what they learned from past efforts.
- Develop a rapport with the funders.
If appropriate, pick up the phone and call your funder. If you're lucky, they might be able to give you some helpful pointers.
- Seek out veterans.
Find grantwriters in your community. Explain AmeriCorps*VISTA to them. They may be willing to be your mentor. Also, the VISTANet listserv acts as a forum for AmeriCorps*VISTA members around the country. Many of them have grantwriting experience and would love to share their ideas and answer your questions. To subscribe to VISTANet, write "subscribe VISTANet [insert your name]" to listserv@maelstrom.stjohns.edu.
- Delegate responsibilities.
Community members have different strengths. Make use of them! If they shoulder responsibility early in a project, then they have a stake in its eventual success.
- Keep ongoing, clear records.
Ensure that your knowledge and experience do not leave with you. Accurate documentation helps to ensure a smooth transition after you complete your year of service.
Context
Community involvement is critical to an AmeriCorps*VISTA project for a number of reasons. In addition to having a strong base of support to help ensure your project's long-term sustainability (meaning, it continues after your term as an AmeriCorps*VISTA member expires), involving community residents allows you to tap into the combined networks of the community you serve. Involvement is the key to building in-kind support, eliciting contributions of matching funds, and providing ongoing support to a project.
Remember, a primary goal of an AmeriCorps*VISTA member is to help build new relationships in a community and to strengthen existing ones. One of the best ways to go about doing this is by uniting community sectors to work together toward a common goal.