With two years of living in an ever-changing world, we know we must have a plan. As we get ready for 2022, it’s the ideal time to review your 2021 program and strategically prepare your plan for the year ahead. It’s crucial that your plan consists of a mixture of strategies, such as special events, direct mail campaigns, foundation, corporate and government grants, major gifts and planned giving.
Your plan should also include ways to increase your organization’s visibility. Join a variety of community networks! This is how you begin to enhance broad-based community awareness and develop relationships and strategic alliances. Without long-term relationships with a range of people involved in your organization, you will never be able to achieve your goals.
Tell your story through whichever vehicle makes sense to your organization! Cultivate your community whether it’s through social media, public relations, newsletters, a note, or a phone call. Be sure you are consistent in your messaging — what makes your organization unique? How are you responding to a great need? Tell anecdotal stories as a way to show the impact of what your nonprofit is doing!
Be sure that you have a process to identify and assess your donors over the last three to five years, especially those donors that made gifts through the pandemic. Who are they?
How are you touching your donors? How are you thanking them? How are you staying connected? How are you engaging them? This is part of determining your fundraising goals.
Structure and refine your data input program to easily identify donors, prospects, and gift recordings so you can set goals and consider how to attract, renew, and upgrade your donors.
Data mine and develop a prospect list starting with your Board. Ask your Board if they know of anyone else who may support your cause such as those in their personal network, their alma mater, family members or those in their respective professional organizations.
Do not forget about your volunteers and those who have attended your events. These individuals already know of your mission.
Remember, the cornerstone of fundraising and development is developing and building relationships. Together with your Board, get to know and cultivate your donors. Now you can create your plan for success, an integrated fund development plan that can raise significant funds and increase your organizations visibility – but only if approached in a planned, strategic manner.
Geranda Projects is ready to offer its vast, integrated experience to help nonprofits create a strong foundation and inspire them to reach their greatest potential, straight from the heart of their mission.
Expert services include strategic planning, board development and enrichment, building organizational capacity, annual budget analysis and assessments, fund development planning, one-on-one coaching and educational workshops tailored to meet the organization’s needs.
