HOW TO INCREASE YOURSCHOOL’S FUNDRAISINGBY 20% OR MOREA Step-by-Step Plan

Chapter 1: Develop a Case for Support to Motivate Donors

Chapter 2: Identify Potential Donors and a Plan to Reach Them

Chapter 3: Make Asks, and Cash Checks

Chapter 4: Supercharge Your Board or Fundraising Committee

Chapter 5: Maximize Additional Giving Opportunities for Your Donors

Chapter 6: Steward Your School’s Donors for Upgrades and Referrals

Chapter 7: Eight Great Ways to Communicate with Your School’s Donors

A Look at the eBook

THINK BIG ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL’S FUNDRAISING.

BUILDING A CASE FOR SUPPORT

A case for support—sometimes called a case statement—is one of the most important documents in your school’s fundraising

arsenal. It’s the basis for all of your donor communications and asks, and it provides a

valuable resource to everyone who is soliciting donations on your behalf.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR CASE STATEMENT

❏ Emotional opening

❏ History of the school

❏ Explanation of programs

❏ Outcomes and proof of impact

❏ Financial needs

❏ Means of support

WHY DOES YOUR SCHOOL EXIST?WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE?

WHAT IS YOUR BIG, BOLD VISION FOR THE FUTURE?

START THE CONVERSATION WITH A CASE STATEMENT

BRAINSTORM.

Our school is important to the community because…

FOLLOW THESE RULES TO FINDGOOD PROSPECTS FOR YOUR SCHOOLS.

1. People give based on relationships.

2. Strong-arm fundraising doesn’t work.

3. Your school’s mission matters to prospective donors.

4. Prospecting is a deliberate process.

5. The more you ship, the more you will receive.

TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF FUNDRAISING ASKS.

Not only will practicing asks help you overcome the anxiety that naturally comes from making asks, but it

will also make you a better fundraiser.

KNOW THESE ASK PRINCIPLES

1. People don’t like to be sold.

2. People want to give to your school…really!

3. People don’t give unless they are asked.

4. People want to understand where their money is going.

5. People want to know that they are making a difference.

6. People give based on relationships.

PLAN THE ASK.

You shouldn’t be nervous about making big fundraising asks for your school.

FIND STRONG CANDIDATES FOR YOUR SCHOOL’S

BOARD OR FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE.

START WITH AN ORGANIZED

BOARD-GIVING CAMPAIGN.

RUN YOUR OWN BOARD-GIVING CAMPAIGN.

HOLD BETTER & MORE PROFITABLE FUNDRAISING

EVENTS FOR YOUR SCHOOL.

Why do fundraising events work?

FOCUS ON SPONSORSHIPS.

Every event has room for sponsors, no matter how low key or low dollar.

ADD OTHER REVENUE STREAMS TO YOUR EVENT.

Live or Silent Auctions, Raffles, Sell-a-Service Tables, Food Sales and Carnival Games

AFTER THE BIG DAY, FOLLOW-UP MATTERS.

ONLINE FUNDRAISING MATTERS.

The web is a great place to make asks.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR WEBSITE

FOR FUNDRAISING.

Make sure that your website is optimized and ready to serve as part of your online fundraising funnel.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR EMAIL FUNDRAISING.

Don’t miss out on a big sourceof potential income for your school.

SUPERCHARGE YOUR SOCIAL NETWORK

FUNDRAISING.

Schools can have a presence, engage and cultivate prospects, and make asks.

KNOW THE SEVEN ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES

OF DONOR STEWARDSHIP.

KNOW WHERE TO COMMUNICATE

1. Email Newsletters

2. Snail Mail Newsletters, Letters, and Magazines

3. Your Website

4. Social Media

5. Cultivation Events

6. Public Relations (PR)

7. Phone Calls

8. In-Person Visits

DOWNLOAD THE EBOOKk12.blackbaud.com/fundraisingeBook

ATTEND ANOTHER ONLINE EVENTk12.blackbaud.com/k12events

CONNECT WITH JOEwww.thefundraisingauthority.com

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