Services & Specialties

For all deliverables, Tracy Lyn Communications (TLC) provides the following services:

  • Conduct any necessary interviews (in person or via phone) to gather information
  • Review, read materials as needed to help develop content
  • Conduct outside research (i.e. gather new stats from outside research; include citations of sources)
  • Provide regular status updates regarding project deliverables to organization
  • Participate in regular phone calls or status updates with organization, as necessary during scope of project
  • Fact check all stats with program leads/organization leads
  • Provide first draft of work within agreed-upon timeframe for review
  • Produce two rounds of edits with organization, if necessary
  • Final draft delivered within agreed-upon timeframe

Case for Support

A typical case for support varies in length depending on the organization’s needs and the complexity of the project. Cases for support can be as minimal as three pages or as long as the project requires. An agreed-upon length is determined prior to beginning the project. The time it takes to develop a case for support can range between 12 hours and up to 40 hours. This also depends on TLC’s prior knowledge and familiarity of the organization.

White Papers

A white paper is typically a one-page description of a particular funding need that fundraisers can take with them as leave behinds at meetings. White papers are also known as “mini cases for support” and offer the donor a snapshot of the need in order to gain their interest in a particular project or program. White papers can take up to two weeks to develop, depending on prior knowledge of the material.

Proposal Development

Depending on the program and organization needs, major/mega gift proposals for an individual(s) can be anywhere from 3-12 pages in length. Time spent on proposal development depends on the complexity of the funding needs, but an estimate is between 15-40 hours.

Grant Writing

The development of a grant from start to finish requires collaboration and support from the organization and could take months to complete, depending on the amount requested and complexity of the grant form. In addition to services provided for all work generated by Tracy Lyn Communications, the following activities will be performed during the development and execution of a grant request to a foundation:

  • Draft Letter of Intent, if required by foundation.
  • In collaboration with the organization, develop grant content
  • Advise nonprofit organization on the grant process and grant requirements
  • Review, revise, and help edit grants in collaboration with the organization
  • Conduct outside research to build the case for funding support (i.e. gather new stats from outside research, and include citations of sources)
  • Help gather required grant attachments (i.e. letters for support, list of board members, number of employees/volunteers, etc.)
  • Participate in grant review and edit process with organization
  • Provide edits to grant as necessary before submitting
  • Participate in initial review process with foundation (if required of the grant process), and provide written responses to questions asked by the foundation.

Letters of Inquiry (LOIs)

A letter of inquiry is typically sent to a foundation prior to engaging in a grant process. The letter can range from 2-3 pages in length. Its primary goal is to connect the mission of the foundation with the goal of the proposed project seeking funding, resulting in the organization being asked to submit a formal grant request.

Stewardship Reports/Personalized Impact Reports

A stewardship report may be personalized for an individual, a foundation or be generic to describe the organization’s impact on a specific social issue. Stewardship/Impact reports vary in length depending on the content and audience.

Donor Profiles

Donor profiles are used to recognize and thank a donor for their gift to the organization while inspiring others to give. Donor profiles are most often used in newsletters, magazines or websites, but can be used for multi-purposes. For example, a donor profile may be used in a magazine, but a donor quotes may also be used in a solicitation piece, or on a campaign website. In addition to the services provided for all work generated by Tracy Lyn Communications, the following activities will be preformed during the development and execution of a donor profile:

  • TLC will generate a list of questions to ask the donor(s) and gain the approval or the organization in advance of the interview. All questions will be mutually agreed-upon prior to the interview.
  • TLC will interview the donor(s), typically one hour in length.
  • TLC will generate a draft and send to organization for their review of content.
  • TLC will send draft to the donor(s) for their review and approval of content and any requested edits of quotes.
  • TLC will ask the donor(s) to send photo(s) for the profile
  • A final draft will be sent to the organization after the donor(s) have reviewed and approved the content.
  • If necessary, TLC will send a pdf of the layout to the donor for their approval prior to print.

Newsletters

Newsletters are especially useful in campaign communications. Newsletters may be printed or published online and may contain: donor story/ies, information about the campaign and its priorities, a story about a specific campaign priority, a profile about a lead member of the organization (i.e. a CEO, doctor, program lead), and/or upcoming events. Depending on the number of stories generated, newsletters may take up to two weeks to create.

Solicitation Pieces 

  • Annual Fund/Planned Giving Mailings
  • End of the Year Asks
  • Campaign Letters

Solicitation pieces may be printed mailers for an annual fund solicitation or can be a “special ask” to donors/prospects for an unforeseen funding need, end-of-the-year ask, or special campaign ask. Letters are typically 1-2 pages in length and require a half-day to complete. A printed mailer such as one for an annual fund/planned giving solicitation requires more time to create. TLC will work with the marketing/communications team on the creation of a printed piece.

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