My work brings me into contact with social profit organizations of all shapes, sizes, and missions. A few years ago I was talking with a fundraising and event planning colleague, Julie Hoff, about what her next job would be at the same time I was working with The Whole Learning School, a tiny but mighty school for children who are challenged learners.
As it turned out, the school needed a part-time development staff and Julie was ready to take on a new challenge. The two have now been connected for the last three years and I’ve had great fun watching what they are building. Dollars raised from individual donor fundraising has increased exponentially and the 2009/10 school year was their best fundraising year ever… so far.
Julie uses as many aspects of membership with my online fundraising community as she can since the school budget is small (Q & A forum, webinars, monthly member’s messages). She’s got some great advice for any size development office in this week’s member’s message:
Both Lori & Julie touch on some great points, but I think that one of the key ones is that of building relationships – friendships – with donors. I work with TWLS, and one of the things we’re committed to is trying to build a community rather than just raise money (though the fundraising is definitely important as well to keep us going). We’ve had most of our success through people who have made long-term, multi-year gifts. They get invested and interested in the success of the school, and we gain someone who wants us to succeed and will point out when we’re not, because they care. It’s made a huge difference.