Communication
Frequently Asked Questions about Communication
Each community foundation adopts gift and fund acceptance policies that address minimum fund size, types of fund options, types of gift mechanisms, and policies and procedures for accepting various types of assets. A community foundation honors the charitable intentions of its donors consistent with community needs and applicable laws and regulations. Any foundation can forward you their policies upon request. -- Council on Foundations
The Council on Foundations recommends that community foundations “actively involve donors in identifying and responding to community issues and opportunities.” This is facilitated by distributing an annual report to interested parties. Items to be included in the report are the foundation’s mission, board of directors, activities, and financial operations. Interested donors should also have access to fund statements, though every attempt should be made to keep private information confidential. Annual audits should also be conducted by an independent public accountant.
A public relations plan has four main components: research, planning, communication, and evaluation. Research includes defining the public relations problem faced by the organization then agreeing upon realistic and measurable steps to a solution. Establishing metrics will be valuable when you evaluate the success of your public relations plan. Planning involves further developing the steps you will take toward your goal such as setting a budget, how to approach the media (e.g., selecting a spokesperson, what audiences you wish to reach, what message to communicate). Communicate your agreed-upon message and execute your plan. Evaluate your success by looking at your metrics. How many people came to your functions? What could you have done better? How close did you come to your goal?
Public relations is strengthening relationships between your organization and its publics. The relationship that you have with your publics could increase the amount of money donated by them, the quality of volunteers and employees willing to work for your organization, and the numbers of people who use your facilities and programs. Your organization needs to: 1. set up a public relations plan; 2. keep up to date on news in your community to identify areas of need and how your organization can help; 3. develop a media list that includes names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of media contacts; 4. have a central message that is consistently communicated by your organization; and 5. use the media wisely. Communicate with reporters when there is something newsworthy. Be prepared for their questions. If you don’t know the answer, tell them you’ll get back to them, then do so promptly.
Form 1023 requires a four-year projected budget. It can be helpful to review the Form 990s of similar organizations. For guidance on developing a budget it can be helpful to review the Form 990s of similar organizations. For example, if you are creating a nonprofit animal shelter, look at an Iowa animal shelter's 990 filings. Form 990s can be found on the Guidestar website.
There are generally internal and external publics. Internal publics are the people with whom you interact on a daily basis such as employees and clients. External publics include the community at large and the media.