Creative Fundraising for Senior Nutrition Programs

Hosted Thursday, April 13, 2023 

by the Office of Nutrition and Health Promotion Programs, Administration for Community Living 

(ACL)

Speakers: Cristi Twenter, Executive Director, Edmond Mobile Meals, and Joel Sekorski, 

Director, Services for the Elderly, Sullivan Senior Center and the Litchfield Hills NW Elderly 

Nutrition Program

Go to recording on NRCNA website

People 65 and older are expected to represent 22% of the U.S. population by 2040. Successful 

senior nutrition programs of the future will seek diverse funding streams that include but are not 

limited to participant contributions and public funding like the Older Americans Act. Senior 

nutrition programs must explore creative ways to sustain themselves through fundraising efforts.

Resource development requires a shift in perspective away from fundraising and more toward

long-term resource development. Board buy-in is a must, and members should actively 

participate at their comfort level. Focus is required on developing and maintaining relationships 

based on why and what you do and the value it brings to your community. Find community 

partners who match your values, vision, and goals. 

Strategies to Diversify 

• Grants – Look for matching opportunities at the local and regional level; it’s all about the 

storytelling; create a general grant template you can adapt.

• Private donations – Make it easy for donors (for example, ApplePay, Venmo, Cash App)

and tell your “why.”

• Events – Make events enjoyable and memorable; hybrid events are here to stay; for 

example, include an online version of your in-person event (virtual 5K along with an inperson 5K).

• Campaigns – Allow you to communicate your “why” to donors; maintain a database so 

you can reach out again; be specific on what the donation will do ($5 will buy one meal).

• Community connections – Form long-lasting partnerships in your community.

• Client contributions – Variable and dependent upon the client’s situation.

• In-kind donations – Don’t discount the value of these donations; talk to your city or 

community about discounting your utility bills.

• Investments – Make your money work for you; do you have a cash policy?

Create a roadmap or a plan to guide you through your resource development activities.

Evaluate your goals for each donation category. Think through who are possible champions that 

can help you achieve your goals. If you have a board of directors, tap into their skill sets and 

contacts. Be strategic when recruiting new board members and seek candidates to assist with 

your activities. Develop a cash/investment policy as part of your plan and create specific 

messaging and strategies for each category.

Stewardship

Creating a stewardship plan is needed for successful donations. Establish long-term

relationships and treat donors with the utmost care. No matter the size of the gift, send a thank 

you note. Develop policies as to who will be points of contact with donors and the various 

activities to interact with them at the different levels of giving. Your plan should be year-round,
as donors are your greatest assets. Create unique or special touch points for your largest 

donors.

Build Community Relationships

• Match up interests. 

• Use your board and volunteers as ambassadors at events. 

Creative Fundraising Ideas

• Pop-up cafes – Fresh seasonal ingredients and meals and unique experiences, such as 

musicians and fruit and vegetable trays; examples include seafood spectacular and 

personal pan meatloaf with macaroni and cheese; concept merges quality, upscale food 

with the social benefits of congregate dining.

• Pop-up bakeries – Tasty baked goods made from ingredients purchased from local area 

farms create excitement and encourage new clients to enjoy with friends while 

generating revenue for the program.

• Farm-to-pantry canning – Selection of local produce not used in preparing congregate 

lunches is canned and offered for sale.