Nonprofit Localized Event Funding - Essay Example

A developmentally challenged person receives a PAWS waiver and is granted a specific range of funding through state tax dollars that can be spent on providing care and services. As a nonprofit agency, we provide care to these individuals and work to make their lives better in all areas. The challenge for non-profits is to effectively research and find funding resources to receive the necessary funds to perform all projects and functions within the company without missing out on any potential opportunities. We have two major projects we are currently working on that will be examined in this paper. The first project is attempting to improve our development budget to expand the company and purchase equipment and necessary resources for better care of the individuals. The second project is a local nonprofit book festival to allow developmentally challenged persons to interact with members of the community.

The first project that we are currently implementing is one in which we are seeking funding for developmental avenues to expand the current operations of the company. We have been seeking different funding methods to increase our development budget and make necessary equipment and supplies purchases that are essential to providing proper care to these individuals. The primary source of funding that should be examined comes straight from the state, federal and local grants that can be awarded to nonprofits for providing special care (Foster, Kim & Christiansen, 2009). These grants can be offered to any organization, group, or individual based on very specific or broad criteria. Oftentimes, nonprofit organizations attempt to utilize these fiscal resources because grants are essentially free money that never has to be repaid. Grants can involve a lot of paperwork and man hours, but most require no fiscal obligation or investment and can pay for part or all of the necessary expenses to expand operations given the type of care that is being provided and that we are indeed a nonprofit organization. These are two essential areas that work in our favor and will provide strong reasonable support to justify why we need the funds and that they will be put to good use to improve several of the local communities as well as provide essential care for developmentally challenged individuals.

Two major funding resources for the book festival will need to come from private and corporate donations. This is very similar to government grants in that it often takes a lot of man-hours and resources to procure a corporate donation. However, companies and private individuals often are willing to make such donations because they can be used as tax write-offs each year (McNamara, 2010). Companies can often provide part or all of the financial requirements to engage in a nonprofit event.
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This is a great way for corporations to advertise to local communities while still providing a service that can be considered tax deductible. Many wealthy individuals or persons within the community that may have a stake in the outcome of such an event can be willing to provide financial support for the entire event. These individuals may be more difficult to find, but fundraising events are usually the best resources for private funding (National Trust, 2009). This project will be perfect for local businesses and private individuals to provide charitable donations for a good cause that will provide them with strong publicity for such a public event. Read More