The development of a budget should follow, not precede, the establishment of your organization's positive, but realistic, goals for the year. Once a budget proposed expense is developed it must be reviewed against existing resources. The specified dollar figure beyond existing resources that will be required to operate and complete the group's program for the year is the group's fund raising target. Develop creative fund raising alternatives . Once you have established a financial target, identify all potential sources of funds and develop creative ways to tap these sources.
Successful organizations utilize multiple approaches to fund raising.
Establish a fund raising plan . Successful fund raising requires careful planning. If the risks are greater than what the group wishes to assume, it is time to go back and revise the organization's overall goals for the year to reflect a reduced financial base. Remember, however, think positively and creatively. Once a financial plan is developed, write it down.