Blueprint Fundraising

Princeton University’s online annual giving solicitation received a gold medal at the 2004 Council for the Advancement of Education Circle of Excellence Awards. It is an example of a powerful multimedia case for support and may give you ideas on how to create your own. Princeton raises $36 million per year in annual giving from alumni. This flash case for support uses simple still photography, strong text, and music to evoke an emotional connection to the school.

There is an ever-growing role for multimedia in your fundraising communications with donors and prospects who prefer to connect to your organization online. Don’t just reproduce your print materials and send them out via email. Animating your case, with images, sound, and movement working together, can help you to tell your story in a persuasive way.

When was the last time you spoke with your most important donors or funders? Now is the perfect time to pick up the phone and say thank you for all they have helped your organization accomplish this year. Even if you are planning to send Christmas cards, a phone call is great way make a personal and meaningful connection.

Prepare for the calls by reviewing the donor’s giving history and having a few notes on the highlight of your organization’s accomplishments for the year. If contacting all your supporters by phone is a daunting task consider:

• Calling only those who have given above a particular amount or for a certain length of time.
• Providing board or staff members with a list of donors to call. Give them a short script to follow and ask them to pass on to you any important information that they learn during the calls.
• Contacting as many donors as you can in a two-hour period. Connecting with some donors is better than none at all.
• Leaving messages. It is almost impossible to reach some people, so prepare a short and clear message to leave on voicemail.
• Using thank you calls as your favorite procrastinating activity. Avoiding some unpleasant work? Pick up the phone and talk to a donor instead.

Working in the nonprofit sector, we all know extraordinary people who volunteer their time, skills and services for us. And donors, whether they are individuals, foundations, or corporations, make so much possible. Hopefully you have an active acknowledgement and recognition system as part of your ongoing fundraising operations. Thanking is something you can (almost!) never do too often.

A unique way to say thank you is to nominate one of your supporters. There are many award programs aimed at celebrating those who take leadership roles in the community, volunteer their time, or make extraordinary gifts.

The deadline for nominations for Volunteer Vancouver’s “Volunteer of the Year Awardâ€? is coming up on December 7th. The initial nomination process is simple and does not take long to complete.

Even if your nominee does not ultimately win, they will appreciate and remember your organization’s effort to honour their leadership and generosity.

Other award programs to investigate for your volunteers and donors:

Business for the Arts Awards
Ethics in Action Awards
FLARE Volunteer Awards
Governor General’s Caring Canadian Award
Imagine Corporate Citizenship Award
Influential Women In Business Awards
Order of Canada
Spirit of Vancouver Awards
Vancouver Arts Award for Philanthropy
Vancouver YWCA Women of Distinction Awards