The Forest Preserve Foundation wants to build sustained relationships with family foundations whose commitment to community, conservation, and lasting impact aligns with the future of the Forest Preserves of Cook County.
Our fundraising currently relies heavily on one-time gifts and event sponsorships. Through our Family Foundation Initiative, we want to expand private philanthropy and invite a select group of family foundations to help establish a dedicated fund that provides reliable, long-term support for habitat restoration, youth Conservation Corps programs, and equitable access to nature.
We have developed preliminary outreach materials (letters) and are seeking a volunteer with Fundraising Strategy expertise to refine this concept into a practical approach for securing support and building lasting relationships.
The volunteer will:
• Develop a concise initiative brief outlining its purpose, target foundation profiles, giving and engagement opportunities, and measures of success.
• Produce a donor-facing case for support that explains the need, intended impact, and specific invitation to participate.
• Identify and prioritize an initial list of family foundation prospects, with rationale and recommended approaches.
• Create a manageable cultivation and stewardship workflow with suggested outreach, follow-up, and engagement activities.
• Develop an implementation roadmap with initial fundraising goals, timelines, staff and board responsibilities, and measures of progress.
This project will also outline how the Family Foundation Initiative contributes to the broader dedicated fund and identify coordination points with future corporate and individual giving efforts. It will use the Foundation’s core brand messaging rather than duplicating the brand strategy project.
