Donor Involvement
Whenever a major fundraising effort is contemplated, at least one volunteer can be counted on to ask, “Why can’t we just skip the planning part? We know what we need to do: get out there and raise the money!”
It’s a fair question. What does the strategic leadership process – or any planning process – have to do with attracting major gifts?
An organization can realize long-term benefits by investing in a disciplined strategic planning process that includes donors, volunteers, and other key constituencies.
Today, American philanthropy is stronger than ever. Economic recovery may be proceeding at a measured pace, but there is no shortage of available funds to be raised.
From the donor’s point of view, the issue is not the capacity or willingness to invest, but the capacity of the organization to meet real needs and provide real benefits. Being a worthy cause is no longer sufficient. Competition is intense, and donors expect more from the organizations that seek their support.
To attract major gifts today, for example:
- The organization needs to be driven by a compelling vision and a results-oriented plan.
- Staff, donors, and volunteers need to be actively engaged in creating the vision and carrying out the plan.
In other words, both excitement and credibility are required in order to stimulate initial interest and involvement. In time, meaningful involvement will lead naturally to investment.
In several ways, the strategic leadership process can lead an interested observer to become an enthusiastic advocate and sponsor. Through this process:
- Staff and volunteers are actively involved in doing important work for the organization.
- As the mission, vision, and goals are better defined, it becomes easier for staff and volunteers to make the case for philanthropy.
- As the organization successfully carries out its plans, both staff and volunteers gain credibility in the community.
- For similar reasons, donors and other constituents gain confidence in the organization.
- Finally, quality staff and volunteers are increasingly attracted to the organization, seeing an opportunity to accomplish something meaningful.
An organization can realize long-term benefits by investing in a disciplined strategic planning process that includes donors, volunteers, and other key constituencies.
As they become more involved, and results are produced, leaders in your community will begin to see the organization in a different light. They will want to invest their time, talent, and treasure in an organization that makes the best use of the resources at its disposal.
This is what distinguishes an organization that understands the value of planning and strives to realize a vision from one that exists from year to year and struggles to maintain the status quo.
click here for pdf version: FRM62
For more on Strategic Leadership, Advancing the Organization from Planning to Reality, access Goettler Series Volume 5