Create Excitement for Public Schools
ANNUAL FUND RAISING
The Complete Plan for YOUR Foundation
NSFA Webinar Series
December 6, 2012
Presented by
Jodi Bender Sweeney
and
Jane Gallucci
It is all about kids…
and great schools
HOW DO YOU RAISE THE MOST MONEY
FOR YOUR FOUNDATION?
A Strategic and Sustainable Approach
For Annual Fund Raising
TODAY’S WEBINAR AGENDA
oThe Basics for Success
oEffective Boards and Volunteers
oAnnual Campaign Components
oLaunch Campaign for Major Gifts
oQ & A
Let’s Get to Work !
THE STEPPING STONES TO SUCCESS
FOUNDATION SELF ASSESSMENT
CHECKLIST
oGoverning
& Legal Documents
oStrategic Direction
oRisk Management & Insurance
oAdministration, Staffing & Finances
oMembership & Stakeholders
oImage, Branding & Public Awareness
oSocietal Benefits & Outcomes
oVolunteer Board & Committees
MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING
•Legal
Contract - School District and
Foundation
•Individually List the Obligations – School
District and Foundation
•Public Funds Expended – What is the
Return?
VOLUNTEERS
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of Directors
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Size of the Board
Officer and Committee Structure
Honorary Committee
VOLUNTEERS GIVE IT THEIR BEST BY:
oAdding Value to the foundation board
oMaking a difference in a child’s life
oProtecting the foundation
oReveling in the moments that take your
away!
oHaving Fun!
breath
NOW……..
RAISING THE MONEY
THE CASE FOR SUPPORT
THE “HEART” OF YOUR FUND RAISING
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SETS THE VISION SO IT IS EASILY ARTICULATED
EMPHASIZES THE IMPACT ON CHILDREN AND
SCHOOLS
IMPACTS NOW AND FOREVER – AS A LEGACY
IS FACTUAL AND COMPELLING
ADDS SPECIFIC RECOGNITION
WHAT IS THE MESSAGE FOR YOUR CASE?
Defining the Case for Donors
Unrestricted
/ Donor Designated
Enhancement of Current Programs/
Endowment
Proactive Initiatives / Reactive Grants
 Field of Interest Funds
% for Endowment
% for Operating Funds – typically 10%
The “Elevator Speech”
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In 2 or 3 sentences describe :
What you do now
Your vision for the future
What impact you have and how the you will
make a difference
Why people would support your financially
ANNUAL FUND RAISING COMPONENTS
for a Complete Plan

Events
For fund raising, “friend raising” and publicity

Direct mail
o
During these economic times, send twice a year
Allow people to designate their gift
Develop an e-blast system for continual information
Develop specific programs for on-line giving
Target specific groups, such as grandparents and alumni, with
specific approaches
o
o
o
o
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Staff payroll deduction
o
Tie to something specific
Tie to Field of Interest funds
Seek a challenge gift
o
o
MORE COMPONENTS
Foundation proposals
- For specific foundation programs
- Typically will not repeat annually
- Research locally, regionally and nationally
Corporate partnerships
- Specific recognition
- Cause related marketing
- Sponsorships
Alumni
- Develop database
- Tie to reunions
- Specific requests
USE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES
Getting Small Gifts to Add to Big Numbers
100 WOMEN CAMPAIGN
Determine one area that will have a real impact with
$20,000 per year
Organize a committee
Have a breakfast, luncheon or other
way to “spread the word”
Ask 100 women to each pledge
$1,000 over 5 years
EVEN MORE COMPONENTS
SPECIFIC PROGRAMS
- Ability to designate through United Way
- On-Line Giving
 EARNED INCOME
- Programs that produce recurring
income for operations or grants

EARNED INCOME
THE CREATE EXCITEMENT FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
INITIATIVE
A unique and easy way for school foundations to earn recurring revenue
through an innovative and exclusive program of on-line shopping
through an exclusive affiliation with
Groupon and Amazon and many other retailers
to support public education by working through school foundations
CE4PS is proud to be in partnership with
and endorsed by
National School Foundation Association
THE FULL
RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
ADDS PROGRAMS
 Principal for a Day
 Circle of Friends Luncheon
 Adopt-a-School
 Individual School Endowment
Initiative
ADD PUBLICITY
Increase your publicity using
cost-effective methods
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Email blasts
Testimonials – students and parents,
teachers, and donors
Video to set the stage
Publicize events – awarding of grants
District cable
NOW FOR THE REAL FUN…..
We have saved the best for last
THE MAJOR GIFTS COMPONENT
The Most Efficient Way to Raise Money
The Launch Campaign –
TESTING THE WATERS
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Takes Annual donors to Major Gift donors
Identifies a target goal and raises funds
around that goal
Gives the foundation credibility
Allows volunteers to get comfortable with
major gift requests
Refines the case for support
LAUNCH FUND VOLUNTEERS
Develop a Launch Fund Committee
- Board members and community leaders
- Use School Board and Honorary Board
- Specific roles and responsibilities
- Identify, research, cultivate
and approach donors
WORKING WITH
MAJOR GIFT DONORS
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Identify by engaging those who know them on a short term
basis
Research all aspects of each donor’s interests:
- alumnus
- children attend the district
- past gifts in the community
Develop specific and unique recognition
Differentiate by age and other factors
Find ways to celebrate smaller donors – collective giving
Cultivation techniques – communicate even when you are not
asking - invite to events; event in a home; personal notes
What does it take to raise
$100,000 or $1,000,000
A REALITY CHECK
Typically 50% of the goal comes from
the top ten donors
 The top gift should be 10% of the goal
 Collective giving is used more often

“The toughest thing about success is that
you’ve got to keep on being a success.”
Irving Berlin
THE BOTTOM LINE
What difference are we making for our
children, our schools and our community?
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What Now?
Jodi Bender Sweeney
608 203-8484
[email protected]
Jane Gallucci
727 215-2503
[email protected]