1. Understanding and mastering the development landscape
- What is non-profit development
Defining your organization’s needs and knowing your role
- How do you draft a development plan and why it is essential
Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals (Specific, Measurable, Aligned, Realistic, Timely)
- How do you get the maximum ROI
Utilizing best practices in donor cultivation, research, time management and the back office
2. Maintaining and growing your donor base
- Why do donors give
Knowing and understanding the specific needs and desires of your donor base
- How do your donors prefer to give
Developing campaigns, special events and giving menus tailored to your organization’s needs
- What encourages sustained giving
Building relationships, cultivation and stewardship
- How do you ask for donations
Learning and perfecting the art of the “ask”
3. Ensuring a strong, supportive environment
- How do you prepare leadership to support fundraising and development
Helping CEOs and Executive Directors communicate effectively with donors and prospects
- How do you enable all staff to expand the giving network
Providing leadership, resources and information to empower staff
- How do you effectively utilize your Board of Directors
Board building, cultivation and accountability
4. Going to market
- Who are you
Understanding what “Brand” means and defining and using yours
- How do you tell your story effectively
Narratives, taglines and quick pitches
- What is your communications plan
Defining your organization’s needs and evaluating your current tools
5. Sustaining the Organization
- What is the long-term vision for your organization
Understanding how growth goals affect development goals
- How do you create a strategic development plan
Conducting honest assessments of needs, opportunities and limitations
- How do you implement a strategic development plan
Building consensus and creating organizational buy-in
- How can you tell if the strategy is working
Auditing your progress and using tools for on-going assessment