GENERAL

• It’s all about relationships
• If you want money ask for advice; if you want advice, ask for money
• Identify someone as the point person/committee chair
• Have a Resource Development committee (the entire board?)
• Everyone—board and staff—needs to be engaged in fund raising
• Donors need to know that you exist—be bold in promoting your work
• Make it positive—donors want to be part of a winning operation. Never use desperation as a fund raising hook

RAISING THE FUNDS

• Personal solicitation
• Make the conversation about the donor
• What inspired your gift?
• What part of our work most interests you?
• Ask for advice and input
• Listen more than talk!
• Direct mail
• Commercial mailing requires a fairly large donor pool
• You can still have a successful mail campaign—do it yourself!
• Successful appeals are as much art as science
• Successful appeals are ‘you’ rather than ‘we’ directed
• Successful appeals touch the donors’ hearts and minds
• Use newsletters as fund raisers
• Special events
• Require dedication of time and energy
• Make it good or don’t bother
• Recurring annual/signature events can build name identification/loyalty
• Small, more intimate events can be very effective
• Year end—the most important fund raising season
• Create and follow a year-end plan
• Personal contact
• Christmas Cards
• Letters
• Social media push—especially at the end of the year

Follow up

• Thank-you letters within 48 hours
• Focus on the donor rather than your work—more you’s than we’s
• Let the donor know how their gift has impacted lives
• Consider including a note from a beneficiary
• Phone calls
• Personal visits
• Annual thank-a-thon

OTHER RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES

• Planned Giving
• Bequests, remainder trusts, annuities, etc.
• Identify a support agency (e.g. Everance)
• Include Legacy brochure in mailings
• Gifts and Services in Kind
• Great engagement opportunity for local suppliers
• Require the same level of nurture as donors
• Grants
• Many foundations give locally
• The Foundation Center is an excellent resource
• We can help identify potential grantors in your area
• Grant writing is as much common sense as science
• Grant writing requires good and current record keeping
• Financials
• Families/Individuals/Demographics served
• Communications tips
• It’s not about you, it’s about them
• Donors like to feel that they are part of something
• Stay in regular, but not invasive, communications
• Learn how to use social media to stay in touch
• Focus on results rather than just the need