Evaluating preparedness for fund raising is one of the major services ERC provides church-related nonprofits and congregational ministries. The following questions are key evaluators in helping you determine if your ministry is ready for fund raising.

• Vision: Have you clearly stated the vision for your ministry? Do you have an idea of what the ministry will look like in three years? Have you written the plan on paper, including goals, objectives and time-lines for each year? Do you have a brief, one sentence mission statement?

• Visibility: Is your ministry visible in the local community? Do you have a brochure for your ministry? Has your ministry been featured in the local papers?

• Vitality: Does the ministry have enough experienced volunteers who can assist with fund raising? Do you have a board of directors or committee that can dedicate itself to lobbying on behalf of the ministry and ask others for support? Do you have volunteers or staff to assist with proposal writing, appeal letter writing, maintenance of donor records, tracking and reporting on grants, etc.?

• Viability: Does the ministry have office space, equipment, and clerical staff to launch a viable fund raising effort? Do you have access to a computer? Do you have a telephone line devoted to the ministry? Do you have a secretary to assist with fund raising matters? Do you have an accounting and fund raising software package to track income and expenses, donations and donors?

Assistance Requested Thanks for visiting The Grants and Related Resources Home Page. This site is continuously updated and expanded, so check back soon for the latest changes. If you have any comments, notice any glaring inaccuracies, or would like to forward any relevant information concerning this Home Page, please send e-mail to: Jon Harrison

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