River Rally Field Trips

Field Trips will take place Friday - Monday. Please note days/times below. To help cover the cost of rentals, transportation, logistics - and in some cases - food, field trips do cost extra. And, because we must reserve certain services in advance, your field trip fees are non-refundable. That means: after May 20th, we can not reimburse any field-trip fees you may have paid. Trust me: it's not because we're pocketing the funds and heading to Cabos. 

Raising funds to support your vital work may be one of the most challenging aspects of your organization's day-to-day activities. River Network wants you to know that there are ways to turn this challenge into a sustainable and rewarding facet of your river saving efforts. Within this guide you will find case studies, examples, how-to guides and resources to getting and maintaining the funding that makes your work possible. 

Sample Proposal

Case Study: Confessions of a Foundation Junkie
by Bess Metcalf

I am a convert to the foundation visit. Once a procrastinator who would do anything to avoid actually meeting or even speaking to a funder, these days I feel remiss if I don't make personal contact with a program officer before or after submitting a proposal.

To PRINT samples: click the links and print from your browser.

This Guide is an edited compendium of the quarterly River Network Fundraising Alerts, (with new material added in many cases) and is the work of many individuals who have freely contributed their ideas and energy to helping river and watershed organizations learn about fundraising. I would particularly like to thank Kim Klein, Andy Robinson, Amy O'Connor, Ken Kerber and Ellis Robinson, who over the years have provided comments and suggestions and allowed me to borrow extensively from articles and publications they have written.

Books, Publications

The Nonprofit Membership Toolkit, by Ellis M. Robinson, published by Chardon Press, has great information on special appeals. Available at www.josseybass.com, or 800-956-7739 for $35 plus shipping.

Year-End Letter
Appeal Letter: Page 1, Page 2
Appeal Letter: Letter

Whether you have members (people who renew their support every year by paying dues), or just a list of folks who are interested in your cause, one of the most effective ways to raise money for your nonprofit is by directly asking for contributions for specific projects through the mail, in person, by telephone, or even using the internet. In addition to raising money for your organization, special appeals can do other things for you: