Promoting & growing your fund
Below are some recommendations to help your organization continue to build the endowment fund held with the Victoria Foundation. The ideas listed are intended to be achievable and easy to implement, whether you are just getting started or looking to build momentum in your fundraising strategies.
- Promote the fund through all your marketing channels such as your website, newsletter, social media, print materials and media outlets as another way to give. View the "Marketing" resources tab on the Hosted Organizations page for tools and "Building a Sustainable Digital Marketing Toolkit" learning session available on the Hosted Organization Resource page to learn about marketing tips for charitable organizations.
- To streamline giving and save time on administration, request a custom Canada Helps donation form from the Victoria Foundation, allowing donors to give directly to the fund.
- Include the fund as an option to give in fundraising campaigns and major gift conversations.
- Encourage your most committed donors to consider legacy giving opportunities to support the fund.
- When annual grants are received, share a story about the impact of annual, sustainable income with your supporters. Communicate how your organization is investing for impact as a fundholder with the Victoria Foundation. This means that by contributing to the fund, they are supporting the financial sustainability of your organization and investing in a meaningful social return for the wider community.
- Update your gift policy to include the option to direct a percentage of unrestricted bequests over a certain threshold to the fund. This approach allows you to support the most pressing operational needs of today while also growing the fund to secure a perpetual stream of income in the future.
- If your organization receives a gift to the fund through the Victoria Foundation, steward this donor like you would any other. Share a note of thanks or acknowledgment and we will pass it on to them.
- Provide regular updates on the value of the fund to your Board of Directors and invite them to consider the endowment fund in their own legacy planning.
- Equip your staff and Board of Directors to speak confidently about the fund being a tool to support your organization’s long-term sustainability.
- Victoria Foundation staff are available to meet with your donors, Board of Directors and staff to support education around the fund and legacy giving.