Funding via partnerships

Sometimes it seems that raising the funds required to support your not-for-profit’s (NFP’s) mission is an impossible feat, but have you ever stopped to consider what your organisation can offer in exchange for funding?

The Property Industry Foundation (PIF) runs a series of highly successful programs by teaming up with the national property and construction industry and local councils, both of which have a vested interest supporting PIF’s mission of assisting NFPs that support disadvantaged youth and youth who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Target appropriate bodies

NFPs need to target industries and government bodies that are connected to the mission of their organisation. This way the issues resonate with them and they will be more likely to continue to donate and help in any way they can.

With homelessness being the main cause PIF seeks to address, it targeted the construction and property industry and councils, both of which witness the problem firsthand. For over 16 years, PIF has been a platform through which individuals and businesses have invested time and resources in community initiatives, with proceeds directly channelled to a variety of designated youth support programs.

Highlight CSR benefits

An increasing number of companies are looking to create or build on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. It is important to emphasise how partnering with your organisation will enable a company to enhance their CSR profile.

“Companies feel obliged to give back to the community and their direct involvement guarantees that a donation will go to a tangible cause,” says PIF’s CEO Rosemary Smithson.

Through successful partnerships, PIF has raised over $17 million which it has donated to numerous children’s charities and projects, including Father Riley’s Youth Off The Streets, St Vincent de Paul Youth Reach, Ted Noffs Foundation, Wesley Mission and the Lighthouse Foundation.

Keep a full social calendar

One of the most effective ways to generate and maintain interest in an issue is to develop an ongoing calendar of initiatives.

Regular events provide industry professionals with the chance to network and enjoy themselves in a variety of social settings whilst supporting a worthwhile cause. Additionally, regular and/or annual events enable industry members to build a connection with the mission, which is likely to result in ongoing support.

According to Smithson, annual fundraising initiatives such as The Charity Regatta, Charity Ball and National Hard Hat Day are successful because they encourage participation. Industry members take part in the National Hard Hat Day campaign through putting their name forward for payroll deduction, acampaign events and campaign competitions.

Ensure tangible outcomes

In order to boost the morale of donors and encourage them to keep giving, organisations must update companies and government bodies on the progress made as a direct result of their contribution.

One great example of an initiative that had a tangible outcome to report back to its partner is the PIF’s national PIF House program, supported by the City of Sydney Council, which houses homeless young people participating in the PIF Rebuild A Young Life (RBYL) program. The City of Sydney Council played a pivotal role in the PIF House program by donating a building that was turned into an accommodation facility for young people.

Pioneered by PIF’s Former National Chairman Brendan Crotty and a proactive committee, the RBYL program provides job training and placement within the property and construction industry, providing measurable results that could be reported to partners.