A Development Plan: Who Needs One?

The answer is, "everyone!" An all-inclusive development plan will allow you to create a strategy to implement the big picture rather than focusing on the day-to-day details. The plan will help keep everyone in the department on the same page and striving toward agreed-upon goals, as well as provide an outline and focus for your Board of Directors and agency leadership.

Following are the main components to consider in your strategic fundraising plan.

Annual Giving
What is your overall annual strategy? Consider how you can best incorporate a mix of major gift fundraising, direct mail, grants, a signature fundraising event and third-party events into your strategic plan. Not all donors like to or are able to give in the same way. Providing donors with multiple giving options allows them to make a gift using the vehicles that best suit them.

Capital Campaign
If your organization is in the midst of a capital campaign, what steps are you taking to ensure the capital drive isn't affecting your annual fundraising efforts? Capital gifts, if approached correctly, should not affect donors' annual gifts to your organization. Be certain to talk with donors about continuing their annual giving while considering a multi-year pledge to provide for your additional capital needs.

Planned Giving
Be sure to cultivate donors for endowed gifts. Don't get preoccupied with "the here and now" and forget about this important element of a comprehensive fundraising strategy. Educate your donors on planned giving options, as creating a strong endowment is paramount to sustaining the future of your organization.

Incorporating these, and other agency-specific components into your annual strategic fundraising plan will get you started on the right foot. And don't forget to include deadlines and goals in each component of your plan. After all, what good is a plan if there is no common goal to strive toward?

- Rachel Larsen, Senior Consultant (Kansas City) rlarsen@hartsookcompanies.com

Another Smart Idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"Have board members make a thank-you telephone call to donors within 48 hours of receiving the gift." - Mike Darrow, Davidson Medical Ministries Clinic, Inc. (Lexington, NC)

If you are interested in Best Practices and smart ideas, see these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:

Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.
On the Money!, an enlightening collection of success stories and lessons learned from 25 nonprofit fundraising campaigns nationwide, is the newest book by Robert F. Hartsook, JD, EdD, Chairman and CEO of Hartsook Companies, Inc. (2004, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). An early review called "On the Money!" " ... a celebration of well-earned victories, smart thinking and ideas that make sense." For more information, or to order a copy, visit http://www.asrpublishing.com.
"Best Practices Coast to Coast^SM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union.
"Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas.

For a free copy of "Best Practices Coast to Coast" or the "Hartsook Best Practices Collection", please email Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com.

Career Booster!

Looking to advance your career? Look to the Hartsook Consulting School. This intensive three-day program provides an opportunity to work intimately with our finest consultants who will share practical, experiential and theoretical wisdom with fundraising professionals who are ready to take their profession to the next level. Email tammy@hartsookcompanies.com for more information.

Visit the Hartsook Companies web site for:

• Educational opportunities
• Books/reference articles
• Conference/workshop speakers

Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with more than 1,500 fundraising professionals bi-weekly. We welcome your contributions or comments. Send to Strategies for Success and eHartsook Editor Karin Cox, MFA, Senior Vice President, kcox@hartsookcompanies.com. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

Our web site is located at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.