It’s June: Do You Conduct A Mid-Year Fundraising Review?

By Jeffrey Byrne, President & CEO
Kansas City

Can you believe that 2007 is nearly half-over? While that’s an interesting—and somewhat startling—thought, have you thought that your fundraising programs should be half-way toward your goals?  Have you taken an inventory of your progress, adjusted your plans, or accelerated and put together new strategies to accomplish your objectives? Let’s review how you might do that in short order.

First, dust off that development plan that you prepared last year and that your development committee and board approved. Look at the different components: annual fund, major gifts, direct mail and telemarketing, special events and any types of special fundraising projects. How have you met the objectives that you put together as set against your annual fundraising calendar? Have your board members been active in assisting and leading your fundraising efforts? And, have you and your executive director been making those one-on-one solicitations to bring in larger and more meaningful gifts?

Second, how are you thanking those donors who have responded to your solicitation efforts?  Are you personally visiting your major donors and thanking them for their pledges and/or gifts?  Are you dropping by small tokens of appreciation? Are you letting your donors know you appreciate them, and letting them know how you are using their resources in accomplishing what they want you to accomplish? 

A few years ago, I worked with an extraordinary volunteer in Beth Smith of Kansas City, Missouri, on the Harry S. Truman Presidential Museum & Library. With Beth as the co-chair of the campaign, we raised $22.5 million to build a new “Classroom for Democracy” that would revitalize the Library’s educational programs and visitor base. Every time we would get a meaningful gift, Beth would tell me, ”Jeffrey, go love up that donor.” 

Penelope Burke, in her study of donor-centered fundraising, encourages us to remember the donor, thank the donor, and let the donor know how we are using their resources, all the time making sure to appreciate the donor.

Finally, if you need to adjust your fundraising plans, do it. Sit down and think about how to put those new ideas in place to meet your objectives. Share those thoughts with your executive director and your development committee and board. Ask them to endorse your mid-year adjustments, and ask them to assist you in achieving your new plans. Remember, your fundraising plans and implementation should be a partnership among you, your staff and your volunteers.