Resources
From small shop fundraising to major gifts, and sponsorship to social enterprise, there are many different ways to raise funds and increase the revenue for your historic place. Dive in and learn something new to help you improve your bottom line!
Sustaining a performance venue and professional theatre is a daunting and complex task in normal times, but the pandemic has made it exponentially more challenging.
 This week my thoughts are with the many staff and volunteers caring for Canada’s special places. For many historic sites, this pandemic means closures and cancelled events, which could lead to lost entry fees, gift shops sales, event revenues and more. These are challenging times indeed. But, what about those supporters who sustain us – long-time donors, sponsors, funders and members? What is the right approach to navigating these relationships during such uncertain times?
 New to fundraising? Looking to up your fundraising game? Watch these three brief webinars on fundraising fundamentals to help you set goals, plan and pick the fundraising strategies that are right for your team.
 In the lead up to Giving Tuesday 2019 (December 3), staff members at the National Trust for Canada have gathered our thoughts on this giving phenomenon.
 Everyone loves a story – and heritage places have stories to tell. The story of your heritage place is a crucial piece of your fundraising plan. It will carry over to all your materials [flyers, website, e-mails, and donor appeals]. Telling it in a compelling, emotional, engaging and inspiring way will win you donors.
 Thinking about applying for a Launch Pad Coaching Grant? Here are some tips to help you put together a strong application!
 If you are setting up a fundraising shop or have organized a few ad hoc fundraising campaigns or events and now you want to take a more measured and organized approach to your fundraising you need to do some careful planning to get ready to fundraise.
 Grants are simply funds provided by a granting organization, such as public, private or corporate foundation or a government department. Grants can be an excellent source of funding for capital improvements and to seed or grow a special initiative. It is, however, a competitive market. Funders are approached by many organizations doing great work. You need to prove that your project will generate lasting, positive change in your community.
 Major gifts are the largest donations an organization receives. Depending on the organization a major gift might be $500 or $100,000. Typically 80% of donations come from 20% of donors, so identifying, cultivating and retaining major gift donors should be a priority for your organization.
 Sponsorship is not a gift – it’s a business transaction. Companies offer sponsorships that support causes they identify with [youth, healthcare], allow them access to a target audience, or because they want to be seen to be supporting an organization.
 Crowdfunding is the social media version of fundraising. It’s is a great way to raise funds, but it also raises public awareness, mobilizes communities and expands audiences. Any fundraising project in your community would achieve that, but with crowdfunding, the world is your community.
 Special events can be a great way for organizations to raise funds, create public awareness and build volunteer base. They range from big to small, from car washes, to golf tournaments, charity auctions and gala dinners. Careful planning and execution are needed to ensure your organization achieves its goals for your event.
 Social Enterprise is a much misunderstood concept, particularly because it has no one single definition. However, in all the many definitions, there are always three key elements, as follows: The primary guiding purpose of the business must be to address a social need or gap* in our society.
 A donor appeal is a renewal appeal targeted at existing donors and solid prospects. It is often in the form of an annual appeal or an appeal to support a specific project or urgent need.
 Small shops with 2 or less – and even no – staff dedicated to fundraising can meet the challenge of raising funds, expanding their donor base, and taking advantage of evolving trends in fundraising. All it takes is the right tools and a good plan.
 In the heritage sector many of our fundraising campaigns are about raising capital to support the preservation, restoration and regeneration of places that matter in our communities. These are intense and time-limited campaigns that draw on all our resources but enrich our organizations by raising public awareness, increasing capacity to fundraise, and engaging new donors and volunteers.
 In 2015 The Historical Association of Annapolis Royal was struggling to keep up with major restoration work needed to keep the lighthouse open to the public. So, they competed in the National Trust’s This Lighthouse Matters crowdfunding competition which supported Nova Scotia communities who were working to save their lighthouses.
 In 2015 Gabarus competed in the National Trust’s This Lighthouse Matters crowdfunding competition which supported Nova Scotia communities who were working to save their lighthouses. But how does a community with 78 permanent residents garner the crowd they need to win the big prize?
 Behind every great heritage place is a passionate group of people united by a shared conviction that their place matters. One of the great joys of helping to organize This Place Matters, the National Trust’s new crowdfunding platform, is the opportunity to get to know these people and their projects.
 Here at the National Trust we have a special vantage point with our THIS PLACE MATTERS crowdfunding competition. We have the great privilege of watching and helping hard-working and passionate community organizations pull out the stops to win and raise money for their much beloved historic spaces.
 Last week, I had the opportunity to discuss new approaches to raising funds with non-profit staff and heritage advocates in Regina, Saskatchewan. I told the group that heritage fundraisers can play the sponsorship game with the best of them.