Here are two versions of a brief questionnaire (one for fund raisers, one for grant makers and donors) that ask what works -- and what doesn’t work -- in raising “new” money for women’s and girls' organizations and programs. Please download them fill out the appropriate one, and return to Mary Ellen Capek via:

• email: mecapek@unm.edu
• fax: 505/890-6556 or
• mail: 280 Dixon Road, Corrales NM 87048-7722

About the Project

Former NCRW Executive Director Mary Ellen Capek and Tufts University sociologist Molly Mead are starting work on a new book on women and philanthropy. Funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation and sponsored by Women & Philanthropy, the book will involve Women &, the Women’s Funding Network, and other women’s organizations around the country. They expect to slay myths and marshall evidence that will help us all reach our goals of funding parity.

And they need help. Please complete the questionnaire as soon as possible. And take copies of both forms to duplicate and forward to donors, grantees, and any other women’s or girls’ organizations and programs you work with.

Tentatively titled EFFECTIVE PHILANTHROPY: Funding for Women and Girls, Mary Ellen and Molly’s new book will provide readers with:

• snapshots of current gender, race/ethnic, and class demographics, especially in areas most funders fund;
• summaries and analyses of philanthropic history, research, and theories of funding for women and girls;
• models of effective philanthropy that transcend norms and stereotypes; and
• comprehensive resources for integrating all these tools into equitable, more successful and accountable philanthropy.

Please complete and distribute the brief questionnaires and email or fax them to Mary Ellen Capek at mecapek@umn.edu or 505/890-6556 (FAX). Or if you’d prefer, mail to Mary Ellen at 280 Dixon Road, Corrales NM 87048-7722.

Thanks so much for your time. We will all benefit from this important, shared information.

What are the three most successful “hooks”/messages/themes you’ve used to convince new donors and foundations who have never given to you before to give to your organization or program? If possible, provide specific examples of language you’ve used to connect with these new supporters. (Use back side of form if you need more room to respond.)

Please rate the following resources/strategies for pulling in these new donors/funders:

advertising (print, radio, TV, billboards, etc.)	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
demographics/needs of women/girls you serve	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
direct mail	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
media coverage of issues affecting women/girls locally	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
media coverage of issues affecting women/girls nationally	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
media coverage of your organization	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
personal contacts with staff, board, or other donors	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
personal narratives of women/girls you serve	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
research about women’s/girls issues	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
social events	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
your organization’s vision and mission	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
your organization’s long-range implementation plan	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
your organization’s track record	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
other (please specify) ______________________	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
other (please specify) ______________________	Very useful	So-so	Not useful

3. Please provide additional information to help us understand your fundraising successes/stumbling blocks.

4. Background information on your organization:

• How much money did your organization or program raise in its last fiscal year?
  
  
• What’s your current level of endowment?
  
  
• How old is your organization?
  
  
• How many full-time people/part-time people/volunteers work for your organization?

Name and address of organization

Name of contact person filling out form

Phone number/email

Return to Mary Ellen Capek via:

• email mecapek@unm.edu
• fax: 505/890-6556 or
• mail: 280 Dixon Road, Corrales NM 87048-7722

What “hooks”/messages/themes convinced you to give money or resources to a women’s or girls’ organization you hadn’t previously supported? If possible, note specific language that you remember being particularly persuasive. (Use back side of form if you need more room to respond.)

1. 
   
   
   
2. 
   
   
   
3. 
   
   
   

   Please rate the following resources/strategies for convincing you to give or fund an organization:

   advertising (print, radio, TV, billboards, etc.)	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   demographics/needs of women/girls you serve	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   direct mail	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   media coverage of issues affecting women/girls locally	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   media coverage of issues affecting women/girls nationally	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   media coverage of your organization	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   personal contacts with staff, board, or other donors	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   personal narratives of women/girls you serve	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   research about women’s/girls issues	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   social events	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   your organization’s vision and mission	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   your organization’s long-range implementation plan	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   your organization’s track record	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   other (please specify) _____________________________	Very useful	So-so	Not useful
   other (please specify) _____________________________	Very useful	So-so	Not useful

   Please provide additional information to help us understand what persuades you to give to or fund an organization.
   
   
   

   Background information on you and/or your organization:

   • How much money did you or your organization give away last year?
     
     
   • What’s your current level of endowment/budget for contributions?
     
     
   • How old is your organization/how long have you been a philanthropist?
     
     
   • If you represent an organization, how many full-time people/part-time people/volunteers work for your organization?
     
     

   Your name and address and organizational affiliation (if applicable)
   
   
   

   Phone number/email
   
   
   

   Return to Mary Ellen Capek via:

   • email: mecapek@unm.edu
   • fax: 505/890-6556 or
   • mail: 280 Dixon Road, Corrales NM 87048-7722
   
   
   
   
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