Smart ideas delivered every other Tuesday from Hartsook Companies, Inc.

December 12, 2006

How prepared is your development office for the holiday season - the best fundraising time of the year? Nothing is more frustrating than to call any office only to hear a recorded menu of numbers to press. If a donor, or potential donor, calls near year's end with a question and gets an impersonal recording - not a live person with a smile in their voice - you might lose a donor. I've seen it happen.

The following tips will help you maintain good relationships with donors during the holiday season and throughout the year:

1. Always, and I mean always, have a live person answer the phone during business hours. Leave appropriate contact information in case of an emergency - a large gift and satisfied donors definitely qualify as emergencies.
2. Donors don't always keep "holiday hours," so when one requests a receipt - as they often do - make sure someone can accommodate their request.
3. Make arrangements for mail to be picked up and gifts processed daily during the holidays. Early in my fundraising career at the Wichita State Endowment Association we had a long-standing donor who came in the last working day of every year to write a $1 million check! Each year we argued about who would have the privilege of staying in the office to accept his check.
4. Develop a schedule now so everyone knows who is covering the office each day.
5. Make sure key information is readily available - pledge forms, letters of intent, year-to-date amount in your campaign, how to accept stocks, etc.

We at Hartsook Companies wish you a happy holiday and a prosperous 2007!

- Susan Schneweis, Executive Vice President (Kansas City, Mo.) susan@hartsookcompanies.com

Another smart idea...From the Hartsook Best Practices Collection^SM

"I meet with all committees once a month. It helps me to keep them engaged in the process so they're empowered." - Nancy Coffee, Greater Memphis Arts Council (Memphis, Tenn.)

If you are interested in Best Practices, check out 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

• "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 any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@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

The Hartsook School of Consulting

Bob Hartsook, an icon and expert in the fundraising profession, has been dedicated to the education and advancement of fundraising for decades. He has offered seminars in more than 30 cities across the country; been a guest speaker for countless conferences, symposiums and classrooms; and authored six books and mountains of articles.

In 2007, Bob will take training to a new level - The Hartsook School of Consulting, a fundraising executive boot camp.

Keep watching various industry publications for more information. Or, if you want to be one of the first to hear more, send an email to hsc@hartsookcompanies.com with your contact information.


Interested in Speakers?

Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. To read more, visit http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/speak.shtml or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com to discuss the possibilities.

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. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success - or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy - contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.

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