This is a volunteer opportunity provided by Taproot Foundation, a nonprofit creating social change through pro bono connections. We are seeking a skilled volunteer to help us build a strategic fundraising plan that supports both immediate funding needs and long-term organizational growth. As our nonprofit enters version 2.0, we are rebuilding from the ground up with a renewed focus, stronger programming, and greater scalability. While we have identified several fundraising channels, we need expert guidance to structure them into a clear and achievable development plan. We would like to create a comprehensive fundraising roadmap for the next 6 months, 2 years, and 5 years that includes:

• Clear fundraising goals and revenue targets (and how to get there)
• Develop fundraising channels and campaign timelines
• Donor acquisition and donor retention strategies
• Recommendations for grants appropriate for organizations under $50K in annual revenue (in growth mindset)
• A practical strategy for building a donor base from zero Specific fundraising initiatives include:
• Library Book Kit sponsorships
• Donate-a-Book campaigns
• Donate-a-CHARMS-Kit campaigns
• Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) giving strategy
• End-of-Year fundraising campaign
• Corporate giving opportunities
• Grant funding strategy We also want strategic guidance on growing our library partnership program, which is currently being introduced in three regional library systems and is intended to scale nationally in August. Additionally, we would like advisement on donation platforms, donor management systems, and affordable CRM tools that will help us track donors, manage fundraising campaigns, and maintain strong long-term donor relationships.

This project is critical to our organization’s long-term sustainability and growth. A strong fundraising strategy will help us build a stable financial foundation so we can expand access to our programs and serve more students, families, libraries, and communities. Funding directly impacts our ability to:

• Expand our Library Book Kit program into more library systems nationwide
• Provide books and CHARMS Kits to foster care children and low-income students
• Grow educational programming and resources
• Increase access to career exploration opportunities
• Reach more students through books, podcasts, and strategic partnerships This work will help us move beyond short-term panic and into a more sustainable model built on recurring donors, grants, sponsorships, and strategic giving. Books That Build Skills powered by Athenian is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on helping students, specifically girls, ages 10–15 explore careers, build life skills, and gain confidence through STEM education. Through books, library partnerships, and podcast content, we help students better understand the real-world skills and careers shaping the future. Our mission is to equip the next generation with the communication, critical thinking, and career readiness skills they need to succeed.

We are committed to making this project successful by being highly engaged, organized, and responsive throughout the engagement. We will provide the volunteer with:

• Current fundraising ideas and campaign concepts
• Existing program information and budgets
• Organizational goals and growth projections
• Details on current donation platforms and systems
• Marketing materials, website access, and fundraising collateral
• Access to leadership for strategy discussions and decision-making We are open to feedback and welcome recommendations on improving our current fundraising approach. We value collaborative problem-solving and are ready to implement strategic changes that will strengthen our fundraising efforts. Our leadership team is highly accessible and willing to provide any information needed to make this project successful. We are also prepared to quickly execute recommendations, whether that includes refining campaigns, adjusting donor messaging, improving sponsorship opportunities, or implementing new fundraising systems.

Books That Build Skills powered by Athenian Mission: Books That Build Skills (Athenian) empowers middle-grade girls by combining literacy, STEM edu-tainment, and story-driven learning to build reading confidence, leadership, problem-solving, life skills, and career awareness through the Charms Book Series, kits, workshops, camps, and multimedia programs.