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Nonprofit Organizations
Need
A Fundraising Consultant When:
An Executive
Director is attempting to do the fundraising without a development director.
(A development
plan and some training may be needed.)
There is a history of annual solicitation by mail, with some donors giving
$1,000 or more.
(The organization may be ready to develop a major gift program, with
personal solicitations or with increased recognition for higher giving
levels.)
There is a list of people involved with the organization who have potential
to give, but no history of significant giving.
(Sessions to rate the capacity of the prospects and their inclination to
donate should be conducted, followed by development of approach strategies.)
Volunteers are insisting that the organization needs to conduct a
high-profile special event to raise funds and gain visibility.
(Evaluation of the risk vs reward of the proposed event should be
conducted.)
The board is directing that the organization devote considerable staff time
to seeking foundation grants.
(An evaluation of programs attractive for grants should be made, followed
by research of possible funders and development of proposal strategies and
materials.)
The board is pressuring the staff to raise more money, but is not becoming
involved.
(A board training may be needed.)
The board is pressuring the staff to raise an amount of money that is
unreasonable, given the fundraising history of the organization.
(A board retreat and/or training would be helpful.)
The board is willing, but too inexperienced, to lead a fundraising effort.
(A board training in solicitation techniques is needed.)
The board is weak, perhaps loaded with program-oriented members, but none
with influence or affluence.
(A plan for strengthening the board with new members and training for
existing members should be developed.)
Leaders of the board and the staff are pulling in different directions about
programs and about fundraising.
(A retreat in which a mission statement is developed is needed.)
The leadership recognizes that the organization should be raising more money,
but doesn't know where to allocate staff and budget resources to accomplish
more.
(A development assessment should be done and a plan developed.)
The board and/or the executive director are unsatisfied with the performance
of the development staff.
(An audit of the development capabilities of the organization is needed,
perhaps followed by training for the development staff.)
The organization has made an attempt to conduct a campaign, but the effort is
stalled.
(An assessment of the campaign is needed, followed by development of
strategies to jump-start or refocus the campaign.)
The donor records are not adequate; the donor history software is obsolete,
inadequate or poorly maintained.
(Recommendation of appropriate software or a review and retraining for
existing software may be needed.)
The organization wants to raise money for a particular need, but does not
know if the donors are "out there".
(A feasibility study is needed, followed by a campaign plan.)
The organization is considering hiring additional development staff.
(An audit of the development office may be needed.)
The written materials for fundraising are nonexistent or out-of-date or
poorly presented.
(An evaluation of the audiences for the materials should be conducted,
followed by the development of targeted, focused fundraising materials.)
©
janie anderson 2001
To enhance your fundraising effectiveness, call Janie Anderson, CFRE (858) 395-6343
or contact by email: janie@janieanderson.com
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