3.4  Seek Community Resources

There are specific strategies that can strengthen resource-related deficits and improve the successful implementation of prevention efforts. Importantly, resource improvement activities permit programs to carry out their specific program goals and objectives. The following summarize the basic approaches, but The Resource Library provides details about their implementation.

Raise startup financial support. Startup resources are required to launch a program, such as meeting and office space, duplication and printing equipment, and staff support. Seek materials and services from agencies and community entities. Seek volunteer assistance, which can be used as a sign of community commitment that funders value. Seek private funding from participating agencies, which may provide seed or startup funding to launch a program, but rarely provide funds for ongoing work. Many programs have successfully obtained funding from local foundations and corporations with community affairs programs. Foundations, especially local foundations, can be particularly important resources both in relation to direct funding and in relation to providing practitioners with meaningful contacts for other funders.

Develop a funding development working group. Fund seeking is continual. It is essential to identify and recruit fund raising experts. Recruit volunteers from the development offices of hospitals, foundations, universities, local businesses, treatment programs, and even larger non-profit community groups not involved in substance abuse (such as the symphony or opera). Ask the group to review the program’s strategic plan and develop relevant funding strategies.

Recruit a grantwriter. Whether for startup funding or for maintenance funding, or for both, you need to maintain continual attention to obtaining resources. Recruit professional grantwriters or funding development specialists to attract maintenance funding. Again, some community members can develop successful funding proposals and are willing to write proposals for little or no cost. However, you should institutionalize the process by developing a permanent relationship with a specialist, whether as a full-time staff member, part-time staff member, or consultant.