Lessons from one of BC’s biggest campaigns
Mary McNeil, CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation, spoke at the Annual General Meeting of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She presented an inside view of the evolution of one of the province’s largest capital campaigns. The campaign recently ended, having raised $95 million for new research facilities in Vancouver and Victoria.
Mary’s main point was to remember the importance of government. Although it wasn’t predicted at the beginning of the campaign, they ended up raising well over half of the goal from government. It was the only sector of the campaign that raised more than planned.
What worked for them was treating government as a major donor — taking time to build the relationships in person (which means leaving Lotusland for Ottawa and Victoria now and then), building proposals that help government staff meet their own goals, and showing your deepest appreciation.
She also reminded us not to be self-centred whiners (ok, she didn’t say it quite like that). Having an attitude that you deserve the money and government should just hand it over doesn’t work and only irritates the people who can help you.