How to Create an Annual Fundraising Plan for Community Colleges. Presented By: Jeffrey Bagel, CFRE

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1 How to Create an Annual Fundraising Plan for Community Colleges Presented By: Jeffrey Bagel, CFRE 1

2 LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1) Understand the need for creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan. 2) Learn the steps to creating a comprehensive fundraising plan. 3) Learn how to use an annual fundraising plan to lead your staff, board, and college president. 2

3 TODAY S TAKEAWAY Easy to use templates that you can use to create your own fundraising plans. 3

4 POLL QUESTION #1 How would you describe your annual fundraising plan? (Click all that apply.) Pretty good, but there s always room for improvement. We have a plan, but it isn t realistic. We have a plan, but it isn t working/not meeting goals. We have a plan but have a hard time sticking to it. Plan? What plan? Other (use chat box) 4

5 Money Always Follows Vision, Vision Never Follows Money 5

6 Objective 1: Planning vs. Performance 6

7 UNDERSTANDING THE NEED FOR A FUNDRAISING PLAN Mission driven Ties into strategic plan Goal oriented & metrics focused Clearly defines roles and responsibilities Sets expectations Provides a board management tool Strong institutional knowledge Effective for time management & prioritization Relationship builder for internal & external stakeholders Proper execution & follow up Creates a culture of giving 7

8 If you lack the will to prepare you lack the will to win. If you prepare you can provide strategy ~ Knute Rockne 8

9 Objective 2: Creation 9

10 STEP ONE INTRODUCTION Detail the reason for the plan List the components of what is included 10

11 STEP TWO SNAPSHOT OF KEY FINDINGS 30,000 foot view BRIEF synopsis of your findings (2 sentence max) It s your elevator speech Recommend not toexceed 12 key findings 11

12 POLL QUESTION #2 What is your fundraising goal for the current fiscal year? Less than $500,000 $500,000-$999,999 $1 million-$1.9 million More than $2 million 12

13 TEMPLATES To be used by supervisor and staff members responsible for action items. Board input and college leadership input is also appropriate. 13

14 STEP THREE CREATING THE PLAN Format Synopsis Challenges Strengths Outcomes Tactics Action 14

15 Annual Giving Plan Synopsis Section Your overall assessment Maximum one paragraph 15

16 Annual Giving Plan Challenges Section List in bullet points You are listing potential obstacles or stumbling blocks Always be positive. Never use the word problem 16

17 Annual Giving Plan Strengths Section List in bullet points The power of the program/event to build on. 17

18 Annual Giving Plan Outcomes Section List in bullet points What you plan to achieve Each program/event should have 2-5 outcomes Be specific Tie into strategic plan outcomes 18

19 Annual Giving Plan Tactics Section List in bullet points How you are going to achieve your outcomes Be specific 19

20 Annual Giving Plan Action Section Divide either monthly or quarterly Be specific with who is responsible to complete action item 20

21 Annual Giving Plan Donors Section List your top annual donors Keep close Top of mind awareness 21

22 Here is what a Annual Fundraising Plan might look like when completed: 22

23 SPECIAL EVENT TEMPLATE Be Specific Include a detailed budget Assign staff roles and responsibilities Outline the chairperson(s) role and responsibilities Outline the committee members roles and responsibilities Determine a timeline for the roles and responsibilities of staff, chair(s), and committee members 23

24 Special Events Plan Basics Section Beware of plug and play budget Determine ROI Volunteer deployment 24

25 Special Events Plan Synopsis Section Be realistic; not emotional Research trends Use hard data 25

26 Special Events Plan Challenges Section List in bullet points You are listing potential obstacles or stumbling blocks Always be positive. Never use the word problem 26

27 Special Events Plan Strengths Section List in bullets Include volunteer compliment 27

28 Special Events Plan Outcomes Section List in bullet points What you plan to achieve Each special event should have 2-5 outcomes Be specific Tie into strategic plan outcomes 28

29 Special Events Plan Tactics Section List in bullets How you are going to achieve your outcomes Focus on volunteer leadership Be specific 29

30 Special Events Plan Action Section Divide either monthly or bi-monthly Be specific with who is responsible to complete action item including staff and volunteers 30

31 Here is what the Annual Fundraising Plan template/download will look like: 31

32 Here is what the Special Events Plan template/download will look like: 32

33 Here is what the Board Relationship & Communication Plan template/download will look like: 33

34 OPTIONAL ADDENDUMS Staff List Board List Milestones Comprehensive Timeline Strategic Plan Policies & Procedures Vendor Lists & Contacts Prospect List Donor Cultivation Schedule 34

35 MILESTONES September - December January - April May August Mail first direct mail solicitation for annual giving program. Complete wealth and prospect research on database. Acquire a minimum of 25% of alumni addresses. Secure and confirm major sponsors for keystone events. Implement opt-in program for alumni. Complete first integrated newsletter with public relations office. Hold corporate pilot fundraising program. Secure new funding for 10 new two-year scholarships. Have a minimum of 1,400 friends on Facebook. Have a minimum of 1,000 new alumni on opt-in program Secure a minimum of 10 new corporate gifts of $1,000 or more. 35

36 Donor Cultivation Schedule ACTIVITY J A N F E B M A R A P R M a y J U N E J U L Y A U G S E P T O C T N O V D E C All college events should be viewed as cultivation activities. Targeted one-to-one President's Reception Advisory Board Breakfast SUNY Completion Day Gala Golf & Tennis Decade Class Reunion Homecoming Holiday Food Drive You should remain flexible on opportunities to cultivate targeted prospects and donors throughout the year by extending special invitations to various college events. 36

37 The difference between the impossible and possible lies in your determination ~ Tommy Lasorda 37

38 Objective 3: Using your Plans 38

39 Benefits of using an Annual Fundraising Plan Prevents: Great job chopping down all the trees, but you were in the wrong forest. Lead your Staff Lead your Board Lead your President Develops outcomes which can be used for college assessment & future planning. Makes your life easier!! 39

40 BENEFITS Provides the roadmap between planning and performance. Defines goals for staff & volunteers. Benchmarks goals & ties results into the strategic plan. 40

41 REVIEW a) Understand the need for creating and implementing an annual fundraising plan. b) Learned the steps on how to create different plans with the templates to guide you in creating your own. c) Learned how to use an annual fundraising plan in your everyday work. 41

42 Plans are only good intentions unless they immediately translate into hard work ~ Peter Drucker 42

43 LAST CALL Please feel free to use the chat box for any final questions. 43

44 THANK YOU!! If I can be of further assistance please feel free to contact me at: Jeff Bagel, CFRE bagel@ecc.edu Work -(716) Cell -(716)

University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College Strategic Plan:

Society for College and University Planning, 2010 Ohio Department of Development, July 2010 Ohio Board of Regents, Third Condition Report, 2010 University of Rio Grande/Rio Grande Community College Strategic