Guide to Getting NCF Marketing Assistance

There are four sections to this guide:

• Writing Articles and News Releases
• Developing Brochures
• Developing Fundraising Letters
• Developing Annual Reports and Newsletters

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Writing Articles and News Releases

Prerequisites:

• Assign one FAC member as the contact person/writer.


• Review website sections:
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Working with the News Media » Tips for Getting Coverage
  
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Working with the News Media » Newspapers
  
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Working with the News Media » Newspapers » Writing News Releases including the Elements of a News Release link at the bottom of the page.
  
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Working with the News Media » Newspapers » Photos
• Write a draft with all information, using correct NCF affiliation language.


• E-mail your draft to NCF communications director Reggi Carlson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Copy your development staff member.

Limitations:

• If the subject of the release is not time bound, send the draft copy to NCF a week before the media’s deadline.


• If you are reporting on an event, send the main body copy to NCF a week before the event, then after the event, fill in the details on the event and allow 2-3 days for a response or rewrite. Build this time into your newspaper’s deadline.


• In most cases, NCF will not submit the release to your newspaper(s) or other media. Your contact person should do that so the editor/reporter can reach you directly.

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Developing Brochures

Prerequisites:

• Determine the main purpose for producing your brochure and how you wish to distribute it. Will it be a hand out, mailed in an envelope, be a “self-mailer,” have a response card?


• Assign one FAC member as the contact person/developer.


• Review website sections:
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials
  
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Brochures & Flyers

• Gather photographs/graphics and choose several of your very best. Review the NCF Web site section on photos: Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Working with the News Media » Newspapers » Photos

  • Write your complete copy to include the most essential elements. See generic templates and examples at the bottom of the page at Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Brochures & Flyers
• E-mail your copy and photographs to NCF communications director Reggi Carlson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Include your phone number in your message so Reggi can speak to you directly. NCF will design your brochure if you choose. 


• You may design your own brochure, or you may use NCF templates which are available in MS Publisher and InDesign software on the NCF Web site.

Limitations:

• Allow two weeks for a design of the first draft from NCF. Allow adequate additional time for revisions. NCF will make every effort to turn your project around as quickly as possible.


• NCF will print up to 200 black & white copies (back to back) free of charge. This is not advised, as color copies are preferred.  NCF will print up to 200 color copies and charge your fund 30 cents per copy.


• For more than 200 copies, your pdf design should be taken to a local printer. 


• All brochures should be reviewed by NCF communications director and development staff before printing to avoid embarrassing inaccuracies and typos.

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Developing Fundraising Letters

Prerequisites:

• Determine the main purpose for producing your fundraising letter. Is it to raise money for a project? Your unrestricted endowment? A challenge campaign?


• Assign one FAC member as the contact person/developer.


• Review website sections:
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Mailings
  
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Mailings » Fundraising Letters
• Study Sample letter with 7 elements identified, and other samples on the Web page above.


• Write a draft of your fundraising letter.


• E-mail your draft to NCF communications director Reggi Carlson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) and copy your development staff member.

Limitations:

• Allow 2-3 days for simple edits and suggestions.  Allow one week for a significant rewrite.


• Your fund is responsible for printing and mailing your fundraising letters. 


• If you are doing a mailing of over 200 you can request permission to use NCF’s bulk mailing account. There are several considerations involved.  Review Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Mailings » Bulk Mailing


• If your bulk mailing will be handled by a professional mailing company it will add to the cost of your project.  Contact NCF communications director Reggi Carlson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) to discuss this option.

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Developing Annual Reports and Newsletters

Prerequisites:

• Assign one FAC member to be the main contact person with NCF.


• Review materials and examples on NCF’s website at
  
  • Home » For Affiliated Funds » Tools & Techniques » Marketing & Communications » Promotional Materials » Newsletters
• E-mail WORD.DOC copies of articles for review prior to design to NCF communications director Reggi Carlson at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).


• Gather all articles, data, photos and graphics and have a local designer develop your annual report or newsletter.


• E-mail pdf drafts to NCF for final review.

Limitations:

• Request assistance from NCF communications director and development staff before the piece goes to the graphic designer so that suggested changes can be made within the electronic file.


• Request proofreading of the designed version at least one week before printing.


• Affiliated funds are responsible for all design and printing. 

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