“RIF is a natural vehicle for bringing the community in. Literacy is important for everyone.”

Ida Thompson
RIF coordinator,
Richland, SC

Even those with little or no fundraising experience can be successful. In general, people (and businesses!) like to give back to their community. When you ask for a donation, you are providing them with a great way to get involved and make a real difference in the lives of the people they know.

This information will take the mystery out of fundraising. We will offer you many options and ideas for how to raise money for your RIF program, and you can adapt them to best fit your organization and community. One thing to always remember is that the worst thing that can happen when you ask for a donation is that the person says “No.” However, if you don’t ask, they never have a chance to say “Yes!”

Before you begin fundraising, below are a few questions you should ask yourself. The answers to these questions will help you determine the best path to fundraising success. 

Getting Started

• How much is your budget?
• How much support do you already have?
• How much will you have to raise?

The first step in developing a fundraising plan is to determine how much you need to raise.  In some cases, RIF coordinators must raise their entire budget; in others, your sponsoring organization or the PTA/PTO may provide a portion of it.  Remember that you not only need to raise the cost of the books; you will need some funds for motivational activities.  It is a good idea to develop your budget for the entire year at the same time you develop your plans for your RIF program.

Once you have determined how much you need to raise, the next step is to form a fundraising committee.  The size of the committee depends on how much you need to raise (for example, if you need to raise less than $1,000, two or three people should be sufficient).  Having a fundraising committee will keep you from burning out by trying to do too much; committee members can brainstorm ideas, share the workload, and maximize the number of personal contacts your organization can reach.

Next, determine the sources of funding available to you and that you feel most confident approaching.  Choose any of the options below to learn more about fundraising opportunities and advice. Each link will take you to a brief summary, and then you can choose to learn more about each of the individual topics.

• Sources of Funding
• Communicating with Donors
• Fundraising Resources

What is a 501(c)(3)?
A 501(c)(3) is a determination from the IRS that your organization is a non-profit and therefore exempt from federal taxes. Donors who would like to deduct their gifts on their income taxes may only do so if the organization they support is tax-exempt. To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, none of an organization’s earnings may benefit any private shareholder or individual. In addition, it may not attempt to influence legislation as a substantial part of its activities and it may not participate in any campaign activity for or against political candidates.

If your RIF program does not have a 501(c)(3) status, check with your Authorizing Official because your school or sponsoring organization may already have 501(c)(3) status or some other tax-exempt status, and you may be able to apply for grants through the school or organization.

* Also, talk with your Authorizing Official to make sure your overall program plans comply with the policies of your sponsoring organization and/or state and local regulations

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