Development and Fundraising Plan

We are seeking support to develop a clear, actionable development and fundraising plan that will prepare our organization to hire a Development Director. Specifically, we are hoping a Taproot volunteer can help us assess our current fundraising activities, clarify near- and mid-term revenue priorities, and outline a realistic development strategy that includes major gifts, foundation support, and board engagement.
Key tasks would include:

Reviewing our current funding mix and development practices

Helping define fundraising goals and benchmarks for the next 12–24 months

Identifying priority fundraising strategies and systems we should have in place before hiring a Development Director

Advising on the role, scope, and readiness indicators for a future Development Director position

Providing guidance on board involvement in fundraising and development

The outcome we are seeking is a practical roadmap that strengthens our development infrastructure and positions us for sustainable growth, rather than a grant-writing or implementation-focused project.

This project will strengthen a justice-centered artist pipeline in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, that supports creatives from school-aged youth through mid-career, ensuring artists have sustained access to resources, mentorship, and paid opportunities at every stage of their development. By developing a clear and realistic fundraising strategy, we can stabilize and grow the resources that support artists, youth, and community members through public art, workforce development, and place-based cultural work.

A strong development plan will reduce reliance on short-term or project-restricted funding and allow us to invest more deeply in long-term relationships with artists and partners. This work will also help us build a more engaged and accountable board, ensuring that leadership shares responsibility for fundraising and organizational sustainability.

Ultimately, the impact of this project is felt at the community level: artists are paid fairly and consistently, youth programs are sustained, and public spaces continue to serve as platforms for dialogue, belonging, and creative expression. Volunteers will be helping build the foundation that allows this work to endure and grow.

We have strong internal alignment around this project, including leadership and board-level buy-in to prioritize development planning before hiring a Development Director. This work is part of a broader organizational transition toward long-term sustainability and growth. To prepare, we have gathered key materials including recent budgets, fundraising data, grant histories, board structure information, and strategic planning documents. We have also clarified internal roles to ensure timely communication, decision-making, and follow-through during the engagement.

Project outcomes will be implemented directly by our Executive Director, with board involvement as appropriate, and will inform both near-term fundraising activities and the scope, timing, and expectations of a future Development Director hire. We are committed to acting on recommendations and using the final deliverables as a living roadmap for the organization.
We will ensure consistent availability, clear goals, and respectful use of the volunteer’s time throughout the project.