Understanding the types of financial support
Support for your Friends Group can come in a variety of forms. See the list below for ideas on what types of support your group may seek.
Financial Support for Friends Groups can come from a variety of sources. Having a diversity of revenue sources can help make your friends group more resilient and effective. Here are some sources to consider for your friends group.
Grant funding can be a very helpful source of income for a Friends Group. If possible, it is beneficial to ask for grants that support your general fund, rather than a specific project. See more about this under “Restricted Funds”). Grant money may be distributed to the recipient up front or as a reimbursement.
Donations by cash, check, or credit card can be used to cover any expenses. Cash donations usually come from group members, community members, families, etc.
These are non-cash donations – usually goods or services. Examples include food and beverages for an event, silent auction items, website development, shovels and gloves for a service project, etc. In-kind donations come from local businesses or big companies.
Some grants require a budgetary percentage match from additional sources, to show there is local investment in the project. Additionally, some workplaces will match donations their employees make to an organization, and other companies may sponsor a challenge match for all new memberships to a Friends Group in a given period of time.
An annual membership fee of $5-$35 is a great way to obtain ongoing income to support everyday expenses. Some groups have different contribution levels that each come with their own perks.
Businesses may sponsor an event by providing money in exchange for logo and announcement recognition at an event. A business may sponsor something like printing t-shirts for the group, as long as their logo is included on the shirt, too.
Time is money, and people that volunteer their time and skills contribute an enormous amount of support.