Running with the Big Dogs
by Jennifer Meckling, Charitable Organization Endowment Program Director
As I reflect on my first year with the Community Foundation, I'm often surprised that small organizations still mistakenly believe they cannot successfully pursue an endowment growth campaign. Equally as surprising, though, is the endowment growth small nonprofits experience with minimal effort.  In our training workshops this year , I’ve repeatedly shared my favorite story of a small nonprofit that grew their endowment from $12,000 to more than $100,000 in just 10 years.
This tiny organization solicited more than $60,000 in donor gifts and enjoyed more than $28,000 in matching gifts ! Add that to the more than $20,000 in retained investment income AND the $24,000 they received back in support from the fund, and you can be as impressed as I am that they achieved this with no paid staff and an annual budget of less than $50,000.
 So, how does a small organization take the leap of faith to start an endowment growth campaign? Let me share some tips:
Commit . Every journey starts with a single step. Encourage your board to commit to an annual goal. If you are eligible for matching grants from Kirkpatrick Family Fund , apply! What could be more motivating than the opportunity to be rewarded for your commitment to do better?!
Talk about planned giving whenever you can! Deepen the conversation with a loyal donor by outlining strategic giving options. Donors aren’t always thinking about giving from assets rather than income. When you focus on donor-centered giving, it becomes a very different conversation with very different numbers!
Work your network . Who are the financial advisors your donors are listening to? Do they know you can accept planned gifts? Let them know your organization has an endowment fund at the Community Foundation that can easily receive gifts of cash and assets.
Promote your endowment. Your endowment fund at the Community Foundation represents a commitment to the future of your organization. Explain to your donors how giving to endowment supports your mission in perpetuity - NOT just in the current budget year. 
Ask! Once you’ve committed to investing in your endowment, start having conversations. Ask an annual giver if they will stretch their gift a bit this year. Ask a previous giver if they have thought about leaving a future gift. Explain how leaving a gift to your endowment can be as simple as completing a beneficiary designation form.
We offer more details about these tips in our training workshops. Join us as we explore the ways you can create a sustainable future for your nonprofit!
Join us at 11:30 a.m. to learn how to better market donor-centered gifts.
Register here .
Join us at 11:30 a.m. to learn how you can further engage with OCCF through planned giving resources, grants and matching gifts.
Register here .
Join us at 11:30 a.m. to learn more about the annual updates that need to be made to your GiveSmartOKC profile.
Extended session:  Is your profile expiring? Bring your laptop and join us from 1-2:30 p.m. for a hands-on workshop to update your profile.
Register here .
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Our endowed organizations received $8 million in gifts to their funds this fiscal year, including $1 million in matching grants from Kirkpatrick Family Fund! If you’re not part of that story, join us for workshops throughout the year to learn more, or set up a personal meeting with our development staff ! 
Does your organization's fiscal year close June 30? Don't forget to complete your annual profile updates!

Make plans to join us for the Give Smart OKC Keeping it Current session on August 21 to learn more about updating your Give Smart OKC profile to keep it current and relevant. We will also offer an extended session immediately following the event to provide one-on-one help for out-of-date profiles.
At the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, we are fortunate to witness the people, places, activities, events and organizations that work together to make our city a great place every day, but we want others to see it, too. Wherever you see the good in our community, share it by using  #OKC4Good  and join the movement!

Learn more at OCCF.org/OKC4Good.
Nonprofit Resources
View the balance of your endowment fund and gifts from donors.
Tools to help you promote your endowment.
Guidance, compliance and requirements to help you in your nonprofit journey.
Contacts:
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Charitable Organization Endowment Program Director
405/606-2951
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Manager, iFunds & Give Smart OKC
405/606-2918