Your Annual Fundraising Strategy November 11, 2008 Alberta Council for Environmental Education...

Your AnnualFundraising Strategy

November 11, 2008Alberta Council for

Environmental EducationFacilitator: Pat Christie, CFRE

Pat Christie Consulting, 403.771.5093Assisting organizations to lay the foundations for fundraising and to find sources of sustainable support....

2

Today’s Session Key messages Case for Support Annual Giving strategies Effective Board involvement Looking after your donors Begin to design an Annual Giving

timeline and plan


3

What is your key message?

Elevator Speech Compelling and Urgent Case for Support

• Internal document• All asks, proposals and grant applications flow

from it


4

Case for SupportSelf-ConfidenceEffective ManagementEfficientProactive ContinuityTraditionMeeting a critical needYour donors must believe you are all of

these, and that you can successfully fulfill your mission


5

What is Annual Giving?

Gifts received every year Not for capital expenses such as

building or equipment Pays for salaries, paperclips


6

Pyramid of Giving

Annual GiftsLarge number of donors, gifts usually small

Planned Gifts Few donors, large gifts

Original Pyramid of Giving – James M. Greenfield CFRE

Planned Giving

Major GiftsPersonal Contact

Consistent DonorsPersonal contact, letter, phone

Repeat Annual GivingPersonal contact, letter,

phone call

First Time Annual GivingDirect Mail, Special Events, Media, Door-to-Door

Major GiftsSmaller number of donors, larger gifts

SustainingGifts

Enabling Gifts


7

Advantages of Annual Giving

Brings in new gifts Reliable unrestricted source Uses diverse methods Funds everyday operations Gets renewed gifts


8

Looking for Supporters Start with those you know Look for connection to organization Seek people with interest in your

cause Keep good records


9

Fundraising Strategies Grantseeking Special Events Mail

• Direct Mail• Email

Individual solicitations


10

Grantseeking Government

• Form a society• Charitable organization: $25,000 annual• Lotteries funding: www.tprc.ab.ca

Corporate/Foundation Grants• Corporate websites: check focus• www.imaginecanada.ca• www.bigdatabase.ca


11

Special Events Events are good for

• building awareness• raising funds

Are very labour intensive: have one signature event per year

Choose an appropriate event: gala or grassroots

Take time to plan and have a back up plan


12

Raising Funds at an Event

Create a budget and timeline Find Sponsors Get whatever you can donated Partner with another group Always evaluate afterwards Keep good records


13

Requesting Gifts by Direct Mail

Compelling and urgent Easy to read Make it personal, add stories or

quotes Ask often, be specific re amount Make it more than 1 page, add photos

and P.S. Make it easy to respond


14

Direct Mail Facts

Direct mail can reach a lot of people Helps to find new supporters Does not result in many gifts Timing is important Writing letters is hard! Keep records


15

Website and Email

Growing numbers make gifts on-line Use Canadahelps.org Ask for support on all materials Keep in touch by e-newsletter

• Constantcontact.com• Send them to your website


16

Board of Directors: Your Champions

Belief in and support of the mission of the organization is the most critical requirement for serving on the Board

Important to find diverse, connected members who can support fundraising


17

Board Roles in Fundraising Policies Monitor revenue streams Planning Giving Asking Other to Give Create a fundraising committee


18

Looking After Your Donors Build donor loyalty Never take a donor for granted Donor policies:

• Immediate thank yous • Provide recognition for donors• Keep donors informed


19

Giving Clubs Receipt versus recognition Tax issues Giving Clubs – membership Corporate versus individual


20

Sample Giving Clubs

Theatre Sponsor Benefits

PRODUCTION: Investment Tickets GalaAd size logo size

logo placement

Starring Role $25K-$28K* 440 2 full pgprime logo size prime

Supporting Cast $13K-$15K* 220 2 1/2 pg1/2 size of Starring role secondary

Cameo Appearance $7-$8K* 100 1 1/3 pg 1/4 sizelower placement

Behind the Scenes $4K-$5K* 50 1 1/6 pgsmaller again

Not present on all advertising opportunities.


21

Fundraising Timeline

DATE TASK DETAILS RESPONSIBILITYJ an-Mar 08 Case for Support Research, write, revise

Consultant, Board, FD staff

J an-May 08 FD Plan Research, write, reviseConsultant, Board, FD staff

Mar-08 Direct Mail Prepare and send FD staffMar-Apr 08 Approach CIP Solicit $20,000 FD staff, Board May-08 Donor Breakfast Book hall, set fall date FD staffSep-08 Donor Breakfast Sell tickets FD staff, Board Oct-08 Donor Breakfast Final Details FD staff, Board


22

The Annual Giving Plan Sets goals for year Decides on methods to use Outlines time needed Renewable document Retains flexibility


23

Why Have a Plan?Energy spent on worrying how to get

everything done is energy gone to waste.

Energy spent on planning how to get everything done is energy well used” . Anon


24

Summary Need strong diverse base of funding Build on your strengths Don’t try everything new all at the

same time Take time to plan

Questions?

Your Annual Fundraising Strategy November 11, 2008 Alberta Council for Environmental Education...

Documents

Transcript of Your Annual Fundraising Strategy November 11, 2008 Alberta Council for Environmental Education...