We know that raising the amount of money you need to get the job done can feel like a daunting task, especially if your previous experience is in animal welfare, not development.

Well, here’s some good news. There is no magic to fundraising, and there is no fundraising gene. Anyone can do it. All you need is time, determination, a commitment to the cause, and a few learnable skills.

But first, you need to answer some basic questions:

• Who are you and why do you deserve support?
• Who does the community think you are and why do they think you deserve (or don’t deserve) support?
• What resources do you have in place to run a successful fundraising program?
• What are the potential sources for funds in your community?

Once you’ve answered these questions, you’ll be ready to select the right fundraising strategies to meet your needs.