It’s no secret that fundraising is a crucial part for starting a new business or non-profit.  The real catch is to know the current fundraising strategies that match the current economic market, discovering the demographics of area donators, who is looking to invest, and then trying to connect with those groups or individuals. Aside from government founding, schools seek out donations from alum that have money to give. According to The Chronicle of Philanthropy, this strategy, in the last few years, has not been the demand of fundraising goals. Schools needed to find a different way to pursue alum to donate back to their alma mater. The newest strategy is to invest and build partnerships prior to a student becoming an alumnus, previous to them making their millions. This would hopefully create more of an obligation to support the school that believed in you and helped you along the way, not just sent you off waiting to hit you up for money if you got rich.

Now, for those who do not have access to an alumni donor base, there is still hope for fundraising. Programs, like KickStarter and the newer local investment program Start Garden, allowing people to submit their innovations, ideas, and dreams in hopes of match fundraising or straight investment opportunities to do initial research and development. These are great resources to get social feedback on your idea, and to possibly get connected with professionals who know the market and are willing to mentor or assist in your development.

Huggies brand is searching for a dynamic and talented mom who has an inspired product or business idea that will help improve the lives of all moms and or nurture the relationship between mother and child. The $15,000 grant is part of Huggies “MomInspired” campaign, eligible applicants are 21 years or older. Deadline forsubmission is July 31, 2012.

Self-Development of People (SDOP) is looking to establish partnerships with oppressed individuals or groups looking to organize and do something about their oppression and the oppression within their community. Applications are accepted year round. Funding decisions are made three times a year (January, May and September).

First Peoples Fund is looking for an Artist in Businees Leadership. Applicants must be a mid-career (5+ years) marketing artists at Indian art markets, galleries, and wholesale venues.  Selected Tribe members are eligible to apply for the$5,000 grant. The deadline is set for September 1, 2012.

Intel and Changemakers are searching for women applicants for the She Will Innovate: Technology Solutions Enriching the Lives of Girls grant. The competition is open to solutions from around the world, with special consideration for innovations developed for women by women aged 18 to 34. The grant ranges from one of three $10,000 cash prizes in unrestricted funding to boost your project and one of two $500 cash prizes (if you enter before July 18, 2012). Submissions start June 6, 2012 and run until August 15, 2012.

Youth Service America (YSA) with The Sodexo Foundation Lead Organizerprogram is looking for organizations interested in addressing the issue of childhood hunger through youth engagement. Ten organizations will receive $2,000 in financial assistance as well as travel and lodging expenses for the Youth Service Institute provided by the Sodexo Foundation. Deadline forapplication is on July 15, 2012.

Tom’s of Maine is Giving Back with the 50 States for Good grant. Six non-profit organizations will share $150,000 to increase efforts in promoting healthy, human and environmental goodness.  Must be a registered 501(c)(3), applications are due June 12, 2012.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is offering grants for up to 30 Learning Labs in libraries and museums throughout the country. Grants forLearning Labs in Libraries and Museums will support planning and design activities for spaces that foster experimentation and creativity for middle- and high-school youth in library- and museum-based, out-of-school-time settings. Learning Labs grant awards are available up to $100,000. Applications are due by June 15, 2012.

The Tony Hawk Foundation has grants available for 501(c)(3) organizations seeking to design, development, construction, and operation of new qualityskateboard parks and facilities, located in low-income communities in the United States. Maximum grant amount awards is $25,000, and the application deadline is July 2, 2012.

The Alliance for Global Good wants to encourage innovation in nonprofitfinancing to help top-performing organizations diversify their sources of revenue to become more sustainable and self-reliant. Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations in the United States that are at least 10 years old. The deadline forapplications is June 27, 2012.

The value of an idea lies in the using of it. - Thomas Edison

According to a study, conducted by The Foundation of Entrepreneurship (2009), the average and median age of company founders when they started their current companies was 40 years old.

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