Fundraising For Fatherhood Programs

Supporting fathers and families in your community takes resources—and finding those resources isn’t always easy. Many organizations face limited budgets, and funding can feel like a constant challenge. Whether you’re just starting to look for financial support or searching for new strategies, there are often overlooked opportunities available.

How can your organization use its existing budget to fund fatherhood programs?

We understand budgets are stretched thin. Still, if fatherhood programs aren’t included in financial planning, they often don’t happen. Start by reviewing your current budget to identify where you can reallocate funds. This might mean shifting resources from less effective programs or reducing costs in one area to free up dollars for fatherhood initiatives.

When preparing for the next fiscal year, be intentional about including fatherhood resources in your planning—just as you would for other client materials.

Affordable options are available. For example, NFI offers brochures (see the NFI store for current pricing) and tip cards (see the https://store.fatherhood.org store for current pricing) that require little staff time to implement. Adding even a few father-focused resources is a simple, budget-friendly way to strengthen your services.

What outside funding sources are available for fatherhood programs?

Funding from outside sources is an option that your organization may want to pursue – in addition to starting fatherhood work on a smaller scale using funds from your own budget. With some planning you may be able to find an outside funding source that will provide for all aspects of your work with fathers.

From training your fatherhood program facilitators to providing funding to sustain your program (staff stipends, ongoing fathering handbook costs, and other materials needed to run fatherhood program classes), outside funding could open doors for your fatherhood program you may have never imagined. And you may be able to serve even more fathers than you ever thought possible.

There are several routes your organization may want to explore in seeking outside funding:

The five main categories of outside funding to explore are listed below. Each can range from small one-time contributions to multi-year grants covering program staff, training, and materials.

• Individuals — Personal donors, board members, and community champions can contribute directly to your fatherhood program. Cultivate these relationships through one-on-one outreach, thank-you communications, and regular updates on program impact.
• Foundations — Private and family foundations often fund family-strengthening and fatherhood initiatives. See the foundation and grant funding section below for specific resources to help identify and apply for foundation grants.
• Corporations — Local businesses and national corporations may offer sponsorships, in-kind donations, or employee giving programs. Approach companies whose mission aligns with family well-being or workforce development.
• Local, State & Federal Government — Government agencies at all levels fund fatherhood and family programs. See the federal grant resources section below for tools to find and apply for government grants.
• Special Events/Fundraisers — Community events such as benefit dinners, walks, or online crowdfunding campaigns can raise both funds and awareness for your fatherhood program.

Individual and corporate funding resources

Individual donors and corporate sponsors can be valuable partners for your fatherhood program. Consider the following approaches:

• Individual donors — Develop a donor stewardship plan that includes regular impact updates, personal thank-you outreach, and opportunities for donors to see the program in action.
• Board member giving — Engage board members as both donors and ambassadors who can introduce your organization to their personal and professional networks.
• Corporate sponsorships — Identify local businesses and national corporations whose mission aligns with family well-being or workforce development. Offer tiered sponsorship packages that include recognition in program materials and events.
• Employee giving programs — Many corporations offer matching gift programs. Encourage donors to check whether their employer will match contributions to your organization.

Where can you find federal grant resources for fatherhood programs?

• Grants.gov > A federal site that aggregates all federal grant opportunities. You can search for grants currently being offered and access grant writing resources.
• Office of Management & Budget (OMB) Circulars > Provide direction on federal budgeting and expensing for nonprofits, educational institutions, and state, local, and Indian Tribe governments.

What foundation and grant resources can help fund your fatherhood program?

• Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood Grants > Check the ACF website for the current status of these grants and any successor initiatives.
• Candid (formerly Foundation Center) > A subscription-based website that offers research on foundations, including family foundations and other tools for grant seekers.
• Alliance for Nonprofit Excellence > Search for all types of grants.
• The Grant Station > An online funding resource for organizations seeking grants throughout the world.  Providing access to a comprehensive online database of grant makers, as well as other valuable tools, GrantStation can help your organization make smarter, better-informed fundraising decisions. 
• The Grantsmanship Center > Offers a variety of training such as The Grantsmanship Training Program, Earned Income Strategies and Competing for Federal Grants.
• Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training (GIFT) > Provides a range of training programs and webinars to help you raise money from your community.  Additionally, they offer articles and subscription based services to aid in your fundraising efforts. 

Check out our Free Guide: Fundraising Tips for Father-Inclusive Efforts eBook.

Check out our blog articles about Fundraising!