Are you signed up for CITA?

The Central Iowa Training Association (CITA) Fire School takes place at Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on September 25 & 26, 2010. This Fire School is among the largest and most comprehensive in the Midwest.

You will find a comprehensive list of classes here.  CITA is also on Facebook here. 


Today's update is a special invitation for you to join either or both of the learning seminars offered by FlashPoint Fundraising at CITA:

Developing a Community Grants Tool Belt: Finding More Connections with Your Mission
Instructors:    Dawn Svenson Holland, FlashPoint Fundraising, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Objective: Current federal grant programs provide significant support to fire departments nationwide to approximately 25% of the departments that apply. What else is out there in terms of grant programs? What standard information do you need in your department’s tool belts before starting to apply for more grants? When considering grant opportunities, how do you best determine up front if the potential for fit with a grant program aligns with the time and effort needed to complete the grant? How do you know how much money to ask for? Once you register for this course, you will be provided with a list of department information to bring to start the process of filling your grant application tool belt  This course will also touch on ideas for non-governmental grant sources in your area.

Sunday, September 26 (12:30-3:30 pm) Section #: ETFR-5001-3945            Cost: $27.00

It's Not an F-Word: Integrating Fundraising into Your Department's Operations

Instructors:     Dawn Svenson Holland, FlashPoint Fundraising, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Objective: Calls. Training. Recruiting. Budget management. Maintenance needs. The list goes on. With increased demands, who has time to think about fundraising beyond that annual pancake breakfast (or other special event)? Who really wants to spend precious time talking about “begging,” the dreaded f-word? Fundraising includes so many options – where should your department’s focus be? How do your harness the fact that it’s all about your mission to help the community? Using information you will provide once you register, this course will focus on class interaction and practice scenarios. This course will  provide you with starting steps or building blocks (depending on your need)  to take back to your department for action.

Saturday, September 25 (1:00 pm - 4:00 pm) Section #: ETFR-5013-3940 Cost: $27.00

Need more information on these course options? Click here to contact FlashPoint Fundraising today.

Wishing you a safe and productive week in terms of lives saved and changed for the better through the incredible work you do.

The Meat of What Donors Want: Defined in the Cygnus Research Survey

Your hard work makes a difference. Due to your willingness to respond to your community's emergencies 24 x 7 x 365, your department is generally blessed with the respect of your fellow residents. Without you, your community wouldn't be as safe a place as you make it. Thank you for all you do! 

How do you build on this respect to connect donors with your mission of saving and changing lives, of doing everything you can during times of greatest stress for your fellow residents?

The foundation of your emergency response is your passion and enacting your training. In a similar fashion, beginning or building your fundraising efforts starts with the foundation of what your donors/potential donors want. 

In July 2010, Cygnus Research released a survey with over 15,000 responses from donors across the country. The full survey overflowing with insights and helpful information can be purchased here. 

Some trends for 2010 noticed across all donor demographics in this Cygnus survey include:

• 69% of respondents prefer giving to nonprofits that provide donors with measurable results
• 67% of respondents plan to eliminate or reduce donations to nonprofits that over-solicit
• 65% take costs per dollar raised into account when making a giving decision 
• 59% now do more research on a nonprofit prior to making a giving decision 
• 43% plan to shift giving to nonprofits operating locally 
• 41% plan to support fewer causes in the future 

What measurable results are you providing your donors? 

What information do you have available on your website for donors and potential donors in terms of the priorities Cygnus identified above? 


What's working for your department in terms of responding to what your donors want? Your comments are welcome below.