We strongly urge you to build your own donor base and to emphasize raising funds principally from your own constituency. Realistically, very few mainstream foundations will fund left political organizing. In fact, research shows that only 12% of all charitable dollars come from foundations; the bulk of charitable giving comes from individuals. In other words, the people in your area are more likely to support your project than a large foundation.

There are many ways to build your own donor base and raise funds. The following books and journals are a good place to start:

1) Chardon Press. P.O. Box 11607, Berkeley, CA 94712 (510) 704-8714. Publishes a number of well-respected resources, including:

• Fundraising for Social Change by Kim Klein ($25). This book talks about asking for money, personal solicitation, researching prospects for large gifts, direct mail fundraising, fundraising by telephone, special events and more.


• Grassroots Grants by Andy Robinson ($25). This book complements Fundraising for Social Change and focuses on proposal writing and foundation grantseeking for social justice projects.


• The Grassroots Fundraising Journal ($25/year) edited by Kim Klein. This useful periodical, published six times per year, includes timely articles on a range of fundraising topics.

2) Other resources include:

Grantsmanship Center Magazine, P.O. Box 17220, Los Angeles, CA 90017. (213) 482-9860. Published four times per year. No cost to non-profit organizations.

The Grassroots Fundraising Book: How to Raise Money in Your Community, Joan Flanagan. ($18.95) NTC Contemporary Publishing Company, 5244 West Toouhy Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL 60646 (312) 540-4500

The Grassroots Fundraising Series, Part I and II, by Kim Klein (1% of an organization's budget, minimum $25), video distribution by Headwaters Fund, 122 West Franklin Avenue, Suite 518, Minneapolis, MN, 55404 (612) 879-0602

How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters, by Mel Warwick ($39.95), Strathmoor Press, 2550 Ninth Street, Suite 103, Berkeley, CA 94710-2516 (800) 388-3348

Successful Fundraising: A Complete Handbook for Volunteers and Professionals, Joan Flanagan. ($18.95), NTC Contemporary Publishing Company, 5244 West Touhy Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL 60646. (312) 540-4500.

In addition, many sites on the Internet can provide helpful information concerning funding research. You can find them by going to a Web search engine and typing the key words: foundation, philanthropy, or grants.

Whatever your fundraising approach, we wish you success in your efforts and in your work.


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