Fundraising Toolkit

Comprehensive resources to help you identify donors, craft compelling asks, and build lasting relationships that support our climate mission.

Understanding Donor Types

Individual Donors

Passionate individuals who give from personal conviction and values alignment.

Approach: Personal connection, impact stories, recognition

Corporate Sponsors

Companies seeking to align with climate action and enhance their brand reputation.

Approach: Brand alignment, employee engagement, CSR goals

Foundations

Grant-making organizations with specific missions and funding priorities.

Approach: Formal proposals, mission alignment, measurable outcomes

Major Donors

High-net-worth individuals capable of significant gifts and long-term partnerships.

Approach: Personalized attention, strategic involvement, legacy planning

Prospect Research Process

Follow this systematic approach to identify and qualify prospects:

1

Identify

Create list of potential donors based on wealth indicators, giving history, and interests

2

Research

Investigate prospect background, giving patterns, and alignment with our mission

3

Assess

Evaluate capacity (ability to give), interest (passion for climate), and connection (relationships)

4

Prioritize

Rank prospects by likelihood of giving and gift size potential

5

Engage

Develop personalized cultivation strategy for each prospect

Crafting a Compelling Pitch

A strong pitch tells a story, demonstrates impact, and connects emotionally with donors.

The 60-Second Elevator Pitch

Hook (10s): Start with a compelling statistic or story

Problem (15s): Explain the challenge we're addressing

Solution (20s): Describe our approach and impact

Call to Action (15s): Invite them to get involved

Key Elements

  • • Lead with impact, not logistics
  • • Use specific numbers and examples
  • • Connect to donor's values and interests
  • • Show urgency without being alarmist
  • • Make it personal and memorable
  • • End with a clear next step
Proposals & Funding Asks

Grant Proposal Structure

  • • Executive Summary: 1-page overview of request
  • • Organization Background: Who we are and what we do
  • • Problem Statement: The climate challenge we're addressing
  • • Project Description: Detailed solution and approach
  • • Goals & Objectives: SMART goals for the project
  • • Evaluation Plan: How we'll measure success
  • • Budget & Timeline: Detailed financial and project timeline
  • • Organizational Capacity: Why we can deliver

Individual Donor Ask Amounts

Annual Supporter$50 - $250
Major Supporter$1,000 - $5,000
Champion$10,000 - $50,000
Founding Partner$50,000+
Donor Stewardship & Retention

Retaining donors is more cost-effective than acquiring new ones. Follow these stewardship practices:

Immediate (Within 48 hours)

Send personalized thank you call or email. Express genuine gratitude and acknowledge their impact.

Short-term (1-3 months)

Share impact update showing how their gift is being used. Invite them to volunteer or attend event.

Ongoing (Throughout year)

Send quarterly updates, invite to events, seek feedback, and maintain regular contact.

Annual Renewal

Celebrate anniversary of gift, share annual impact report, and make renewal ask with updated information.

Downloadable Templates

Donor Database Template: Track prospects and giving history

Pitch Template: Customize for different donor types

Grant Proposal Template: Foundation and corporate grants

Impact Report Template: Share results with donors

Stewardship Calendar: Track donor communications