Independent Revenue Generation, Fundraising Strategy for 501(c)(4)s
In 2021, three of our Civic Health C4 Power Program grantees worked with Progressive Multiplier, receiving $20,000 each to spend on pilot projects aimed at increasing their capacity to raise 501(c)(4) funds. Along with the grant funds, the groups received consulting and technical assistance from the Progressive Multiplier’s team.
It is much more difficult to fundraise for 501(c)(4) organizations than 501(c)(3) organizations, because 501(c)(4) donations are not tax deductible. Few foundations make grants to 501(c)(4) organizations, and most individual donors prefer to donate to 501(c)(3)s. This is a shame, because 501(c)(4) organizations have the power to change systems through advocacy and lobbying, solving problems at their root.
Progressive Multiplier helps 501(c)(4) organizations find ways to raise money without relying on philanthropy and other institutions. This is called “independent revenue generation.”
According to 501(c)(4) organizations, independent revenue generation results in:
Sustainable organizations
Quicker access to funds
Not having to spend valuable staff hours on grant applications and reports
The ability to pivot
Community ownership of the work
Freedom
PCUN Executive Director Reyna Lopez presenting about PCUN’s experience with independent revenue generation.
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN)
With Progressive Multiplier’s support, PCUN expanded their membership program. While they extended legacy membership for existing members, who are primarily Latinx farmworkers, they added a “community union” membership option aimed at adult children of farmworkers and other people with Latinx roots. They shared this new membership opportunity through phone banking, successfully securing 184 donors and raising almost $30,000.
Imagine Black
Imagine Black used their $20,000 grant and Progressive Multiplier’s mentorship to develop their Accomplice Sustainer program, which is a way for non-Black people to support their organization. Imagine Black already has a Kinfolk membership program for people who identify as Black or a person of African descent. Kinfolk members have the opportunity to play a leadership role in Imagine Black’s work of building Black Political Power in Oregon. Accomplice Sustainers support Imagine Black through membership fees, fundraising, participating in political education, phone banking, door knocking, supporting communications, etc.
Unite Oregon Action
Unite Oregon Action chose to build out their RIPPLE (Refugee, Immigrant, People of Color Power-building Leadership & Education) program, a five-week intensive leadership series designed to build power for emerging IR-BIPOC leaders through political education, advocacy and organizing skills. They charged sliding-scale tuition for participants, and also solicited sponsorships from businesses and organizations, raising $12,500 total. 17 people graduated from the first round of RIPPLE, and graduates have gone on to run for leadership positions and even apply for staff positions at Unite Oregon.
With independent revenue generation in mind, 501(c)(4) organizations had these asks for philanthropy and Progressive Multiplier: fund the fundraisers; give us the freedom and space to experiment, learn, and discuss independent revenue generation; support us with tools like communications templates for fundraising, databases to track individual donors, recommended calendars and budgets.
This pilot program was backed by funding partners Gray Family Foundation, Yarg Foundation and Northwest Health Foundation. Thanks to the pilot’s success, we’re excited to welcome two more funding partners to the program, Meyer Memorial Trust and Ronald W. Naito MD Foundation, and offer a second program cycle with expanded grantmaking and capacity building opportunities, including a learning cohort for emerging 501(c)(4) organizations to begin planning for independent revenue generation. More to come!