1. Make a Great First Impression
Make a Difference
Charting Your
First 100 Days
2. Whether you’re a brand new development
director or a new fundraising executive director,
you’ll emerge from today’s training with focus —
and a plan for what to do now for the most
impact!
8. Basics & More Fundraising has raised
hundreds of millions for students
and clients
9. Basics & More Fundraising has raised
hundreds of millions for students
and clients
We’ve taught over 10,000 nonprofits
from around the world
10. Basics & More Fundraising has raised
hundreds of millions for students
and clients
We’ve taught over 10,000 nonprofits
from around the world
I know the power of fundraising
systems and individual giving to
transform your nonprofit
11. Basics & More Fundraising has raised
hundreds of millions for students
and clients
We’ve taught over 10,000 nonprofits
from around the world
I know the power of fundraising
systems and individual giving to
transform your nonprofit
And I believe strongly in you and
your good work
12.
13. How can you steer clear of the
pitfalls of being the new kid on the
block and avoid the all too-
common syndrome of fundraiser
turnover in small organizations?
Stay tuned…
14.
15. Today you’ll discover how you can maximize the
potential of your first 100 days on the job, create
organizational change for the better, and instill
other members of your organization with a sense
of trust in you.
16. Today you’ll discover how you can maximize the
potential of your first 100 days on the job, create
organizational change for the better, and instill
other members of your organization with a sense
of trust in you.
You'll walk away from this training with a solid
plan to get up to speed quickly.
17. Today you’ll discover how you can maximize the
potential of your first 100 days on the job, create
organizational change for the better, and instill
other members of your organization with a sense
of trust in you.
You'll walk away from this training with a solid
plan to get up to speed quickly.
18.
19. This webinar is geared toward new fundraising professionals,
new fundraising EDs, and consultants to nonprofits who want to
cut through the layers of complexity and develop a results-
driven fundraising plan FAST.
20. This webinar is geared toward new fundraising professionals,
new fundraising EDs, and consultants to nonprofits who want to
cut through the layers of complexity and develop a results-
driven fundraising plan FAST.
21. This webinar is geared toward new fundraising professionals,
new fundraising EDs, and consultants to nonprofits who want to
cut through the layers of complexity and develop a results-
driven fundraising plan FAST.
You’ll discover, step-by-step, what metrics you
need to look at, how to put your best foot forward,
how to build your new organization’s culture, and
most importantly, how to raise more money!
25. 57% of development directors working at
organizations with budgets under $1
million plan to leave their organizations
within one year.*
*Underdeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising.
26. 57% of development directors working at
organizations with budgets under $1
million plan to leave their organizations
within one year.*
27% of small shop fundraisers plan to
leave the field of development altogether,
compared to 11% of the development
directors at larger organizations.*
*Underdeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising.
27. 57% of development directors working at
organizations with budgets under $1
million plan to leave their organizations
within one year.*
27% of small shop fundraisers plan to
leave the field of development altogether,
compared to 11% of the development
directors at larger organizations.*
Burnout is affecting more than half of all
nonprofit employees. (source: GiveButter)
*Underdeveloped: A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising.
43. Factoring in bequest gifts,
individual giving accounts for
76% of all philanthropic giving
in the United States.
44. An important part of your new
job involves getting everyone on
the same page. You need to
educate board and staff (and,
yes, your ED) to the facts behind
sustainable fundraising.
47. YOUR PHOTO HERE
530px x 750px
Integrate a short training
into every staff and board
meeting.
48. YOUR PHOTO HERE
530px x 750px
Integrate a short training
into every staff and board
meeting.
Schedule regular ‘Thank-a-
Thons with board and staff
49. YOUR PHOTO HERE
530px x 750px
Integrate a short training
into every staff and board
meeting.
Schedule regular ‘Thank-a-
Thons with board and staff
Shadow a member of your
program staff
50. YOUR PHOTO HERE
530px x 750px
Integrate a short training
into every staff and board
meeting.
Schedule regular ‘Thank-a-
Thons with board and staff
Shadow a member of your
program staff
What are some other ways?
59. Your organization’s written case for
support
Your organization’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Past few years of annual reports, donor
newsletters, impact reports
Begin Gathering…
60. Your organization’s written case for
support
Your organization’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Past few years of annual reports, donor
newsletters, impact reports
A breakdown of revenue, by source, over
the past three years
Begin Gathering…
61. Your organization’s written case for
support
Your organization’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Past few years of annual reports, donor
newsletters, impact reports
A breakdown of revenue, by source, over
the past three years
Any grants applied for/received
Begin Gathering…
62. Your organization’s written case for
support
Your organization’s Gift Acceptance Policy
Past few years of annual reports, donor
newsletters, impact reports
A breakdown of revenue, by source, over
the past three years
Any grants applied for/received
A fundraising plan, if available (as well as a
strategic plan if recent)
Begin Gathering…
64. Do you market planned giving to your
donors; how?
And More…
65. Do you market planned giving to your
donors; how?
Samples of direct mail, hard or electronic
copies of email campaigns, your
organization’s thank you letter/receipt
And More…
66. Do you market planned giving to your
donors; how?
Samples of direct mail, hard or electronic
copies of email campaigns, your
organization’s thank you letter/receipt
What database are you using
And More…
67. Do you market planned giving to your
donors; how?
Samples of direct mail, hard or electronic
copies of email campaigns, your
organization’s thank you letter/receipt
What database are you using
How are you measuring social media
ROI? Engagement, reach, # of email
subscribers? Same with events.
And More…
68. Do you market planned giving to your
donors; how?
Samples of direct mail, hard or electronic
copies of email campaigns, your
organization’s thank you letter/receipt
What database are you using
How are you measuring social media
ROI? Engagement, reach, # of email
subscribers? Same with events.
How do you evaluate the success of your
fundraising program?
And More…
75. How long have you worked here? What
is most meaningful to you about the
work you do?
Some Suggested Questions
76. How long have you worked here? What
is most meaningful to you about the
work you do?
What do you think our biggest strengths
are? Weaknesses? Opportunities?
Some Suggested Questions
77. How long have you worked here? What
is most meaningful to you about the
work you do?
What do you think our biggest strengths
are? Weaknesses? Opportunities?
What if MacKenzie Scott gave us a grant
of one million dollars tomorrow? How
many people could we help?
(Envisioning the future)
Some Suggested Questions
78. How long have you worked here? What
is most meaningful to you about the
work you do?
What do you think our biggest strengths
are? Weaknesses? Opportunities?
What if MacKenzie Scott gave us a grant
of one million dollars tomorrow? How
many people could we help?
(Envisioning the future)
What are some of our organization’s best
stories?
Some Suggested Questions
79. How long have you worked here? What
is most meaningful to you about the
work you do?
What do you think our biggest strengths
are? Weaknesses? Opportunities?
What if MacKenzie Scott gave us a grant
of one million dollars tomorrow? How
many people could we help?
(Envisioning the future)
What are some of our organization’s best
stories?
Some Suggested Questions
81. What inspires you to come to work every
day?
Suggested Questions
CONTINUED…
82. What inspires you to come to work every
day?
What about our internal culture? Are our
staff and board generally supportive of
philanthropy?
Suggested Questions
CONTINUED…
83. What inspires you to come to work every
day?
What about our internal culture? Are our
staff and board generally supportive of
philanthropy?
Do you have any ideas for future
fundraising initiatives?
Suggested Questions
CONTINUED…
84. What inspires you to come to work every
day?
What about our internal culture? Are our
staff and board generally supportive of
philanthropy?
Do you have any ideas for future
fundraising initiatives?
Do you have any ideas to share on
potential funders? Can you tell me about
them?
Suggested Questions
CONTINUED…
89. How many active donors (those who
have given in the past 12 months) do
you have?
Data Digging
90. How many active donors (those who
have given in the past 12 months) do
you have?
How many lapsed donors (those who
have given in the last 13-24 months,
but not more recently) do you have?
Data Digging
91. How many active donors (those who
have given in the past 12 months) do
you have?
How many lapsed donors (those who
have given in the last 13-24 months,
but not more recently) do you have?
Take a look at donor loyalty.
Data Digging
92. How many active donors (those who
have given in the past 12 months) do
you have?
How many lapsed donors (those who
have given in the last 13-24 months,
but not more recently) do you have?
Take a look at donor loyalty.
How many active donors have a last
gift of $250 to $499? How many have a
last gift of $500 or more?
Data Digging
94. How many monthly donors do you have?
How much revenue do you receive from
them each month?
Data Digging
CONTINUED
95. How many monthly donors do you have?
How much revenue do you receive from
them each month?
What is your organization’s major gift
threshold — and how many of those
donors do you have? How much revenue
do you receive from them annually?
Data Digging
CONTINUED
96. How many monthly donors do you have?
How much revenue do you receive from
them each month?
What is your organization’s major gift
threshold — and how many of those
donors do you have? How much revenue
do you receive from them annually?
How many bequest gifts have you
received in the past 3 years? Average size?
Data Digging
CONTINUED
97. How many monthly donors do you have?
How much revenue do you receive from
them each month?
What is your organization’s major gift
threshold — and how many of those
donors do you have? How much revenue
do you receive from them annually?
How many bequest gifts have you
received in the past 3 years? Average size?
When was your last data audit?
Data Digging
CONTINUED
98. What is your organization’s
donor retention rate?
99.
100. This means that if 100 donors
give to your organization in a
given year, then only about
40 of those donors will give
again the following year.
101. This means that if 100 donors
give to your organization in a
given year, then only about
40 of those donors will give
again the following year.
The higher your retention
rate (aim for 60% and higher),
the more successful (and less
expensive) your fundraising
becomes
102. This means that if 100 donors
give to your organization in a
given year, then only about
40 of those donors will give
again the following year.
The higher your retention
rate (aim for 60% and higher),
the more successful (and less
expensive) your fundraising
becomes
Online only donors have
much lower retention rates
104. Is having a strong base of general operating
support important for your nonprofit?
105. Your organization’s individual fundraising program
(raising money from individuals) should form the
crux of your fundraising efforts.
While you can’t discount other forms of
fundraising, such as grants, government contracts,
or events, for most nonprofits, general operating
support (individual fundraising) is the very best
kind of funding.
111. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
112. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
113. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
Theater
114. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
Theater
Music
115. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
Theater
Music
Cooking and entertaining
116. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
Theater
Music
Cooking and entertaining
Hiking
117. Her dog, Max
Watching “Great British Bakeoff,”
“Euphoria,” and her secret guilty pleasure,
Hallmark movies
Travel with her niece
Theater
Music
Cooking and entertaining
Hiking
Reading
141. “Our spring appeal is
crushing it. We raised more
than our budgeted goal for
the entire campaign in the
first 10 days…”
Mandy Fischer
INTERVALE CENTER
144. "Those Who Received the Thank-
You Gave on Average $45.32
More Than Those Who Did Not
Receive the Thank-You"
Learning To Say
Thank You | The Role
Of Donor
Acknowledgements
145. “The good feeling of ‘thank
you’ lasts for 2.5 months.”
DR. JEN SHANG
146. “…it’s rude not to acknowledge every gift. And
while at it to reassure the donor that it’s been
put to the use intended. Only a fool is
persistently rude, particularly as our business is
building relationships for profit. But it’s a real
fool who throws away money. The simple fact is
that an appropriate thank-you letter is perhaps
the best fundraising opportunity of all.”
KEN BURNETT
147. Your Report
How are you showing the IMPACT
your supporter’s gift makes
possible?
162. In 2020 Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, and Dr.
Adrian Sargeant conducted a survey
on the topic of fundraising planning.
Results found that those
organizations having a written
fundraising plan far out-performed
those without a plan.
163. In 2020 Barbara O’Reilly, CFRE, and Dr.
Adrian Sargeant conducted a survey
on the topic of fundraising planning.
Results found that those
organizations having a written
fundraising plan far out-performed
those without a plan.
One of the most critical factors in
whether a plan was actually
implemented or not was the
organization’s culture.
165. “Your Fundraising Plan is your
commitment to your organization,
your community, and your donors on
how you’ll fulfill your mission.”
T. CLAY BUCK, CFRE
168. “Double our monthly donors by
November of 2022 by way of one direct
mail campaign, three digital
campaigns, and adding ‘donate
monthly’ buttons to all email
communications.”
170. What would it feel like to work in an organization where
everyone understood that fundraising truly is everyone’s
responsibility…and entered into it joyfully? What would it
be like to work with board members who were passionate
and engaged - and eager to do whatever you asked of
them?
173. One of the most critical factors in
whether a plan was actually
implemented or not was the
organization’s culture.
www.philanthropy-institute.org.uk
175. “It is amazing what you can accomplish with an attitude adjustment.
In addition to including a “culture of philanthropy” one pager with
board and staff expectations in every new staff and Board
orientation packet, we do a COP training for board and staff each
year, and we constantly stress that development is a mission-aligned
program of the organization.
As a result, everyone at the Intervale Center is a great ambassador
who can articulate a case for giving.
We love our donors, and they love us.
Our ED is a committed and wonderful fundraiser. We are achieving
incredible success; with a very busy two weeks left, we expect to
exceed our community fundraising targets by at least 10% again this
year.”
Mandy Fischer
INTERVALE CENTER
178. If you’ve got a monthly giving
program, growing it quickly
with a dedicated monthly
giving campaign is one of your
easiest wins
179. If you’ve got a monthly giving
program, growing it quickly
with a dedicated monthly
giving campaign is one of your
easiest wins
Empower your supporters to
raise money on your behalf
180. If you’ve got a monthly giving
program, growing it quickly
with a dedicated monthly
giving campaign is one of your
easiest wins
Empower your supporters to
raise money on your behalf
Add a campaign
181. If you’ve got a monthly giving
program, growing it quickly
with a dedicated monthly
giving campaign is one of your
easiest wins
Empower your supporters to
raise money on your behalf
Add a campaign
Consider surveying part of your
donor base
184. My First Job
Major donors were ignored.
Not a single foundation grant proposal had been written in five years.
185. My First Job
Major donors were ignored.
Not a single foundation grant proposal had been written in five years.
The organization had memberships with a number of key community
organizations, yet hadn’t had any contact in years. The businessman
who had spearheaded the capital campaign had died and none of the
records from that campaign were available to me.
186. My First Job
Major donors were ignored.
Not a single foundation grant proposal had been written in five years.
The organization had memberships with a number of key community
organizations, yet hadn’t had any contact in years. The businessman
who had spearheaded the capital campaign had died and none of the
records from that campaign were available to me.
The organization’s fundraising appeal had not only been on a five-
year decline, because it had been outsourced to a number of different
mail houses, it had also angered a number of locals due to
duplications and the perceived cost.
187. My First Job
Major donors were ignored.
Not a single foundation grant proposal had been written in five years.
The organization had memberships with a number of key community
organizations, yet hadn’t had any contact in years. The businessman
who had spearheaded the capital campaign had died and none of the
records from that campaign were available to me.
The organization’s fundraising appeal had not only been on a five-
year decline, because it had been outsourced to a number of different
mail houses, it had also angered a number of locals due to
duplications and the perceived cost.
Our donor base was dying.
188.
189. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
190. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
191. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
After querying our database for 20 loyal donors who
had given over $250 a year during the past five years, I
wrote a simple letter of introduction asking why they
had supported the organization. I sent it out, along
with a brief survey and a stamped, self-addressed
envelope.
192. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
After querying our database for 20 loyal donors who
had given over $250 a year during the past five years, I
wrote a simple letter of introduction asking why they
had supported the organization. I sent it out, along
with a brief survey and a stamped, self-addressed
envelope.
193. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
After querying our database for 20 loyal donors who
had given over $250 a year during the past five years, I
wrote a simple letter of introduction asking why they
had supported the organization. I sent it out, along
with a brief survey and a stamped, self-addressed
envelope.
Eighteen responded. Several sent in checks, although
I hadn’t asked for money. Three became major donors.
Less than two years later, we received our first bequest
gift in the form of a check for $250,000.
194. And then I did one of the smartest things I’ve ever
done and something that I continue to do to this day.
After querying our database for 20 loyal donors who
had given over $250 a year during the past five years, I
wrote a simple letter of introduction asking why they
had supported the organization. I sent it out, along
with a brief survey and a stamped, self-addressed
envelope.
Eighteen responded. Several sent in checks, although
I hadn’t asked for money. Three became major donors.
Less than two years later, we received our first bequest
gift in the form of a check for $250,000.
195. “I just started as the Development Director in March.
I borrowed your letter (with some tweaking) and added a
short questionnaire. I sent out a lot more than just 20 letters –
I mailed 86 letters on June 21st, but it was well worth it. To
date I have received 33 envelopes – and I say envelopes and
not responses because one just had a check without a
questionnaire! That’s a 38% return! Out of the 33 envelopes,
30 mailed back questionnaires and 8 mailed checks totaling
$1,175 (the highest check being $500). I’ve attached a copy of
my letter. Thank you for your advice. My boss was SHOCKED!
He had no idea that I sent anything out, but he was extremely
happy that I did!”
Cindy Timmerman
196. “Just wanted to pop in to say the results
of my introduction letter
and short survey have been great!
Out of the 70 mailing pieces I have
gotten 20 responses and checks
totaling $500!”
Sara
198. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Let’s Recap…
199. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Discovery
Let’s Recap…
200. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Discovery
Meet and Greet
Let’s Recap…
201. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Discovery
Meet and Greet
Review your data
Let’s Recap…
202. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Discovery
Meet and Greet
Review your data
Your “Ask/Thank/Report” Systems
Let’s Recap…
203. Begin by taking steps to create
your healthy organizational
culture
Discovery
Meet and Greet
Review your data
Your “Ask/Thank/Report” Systems
Your Fundraising Plan
Let’s Recap…
206. “Event Catering taught me project
management. Planning, implementation,
problem solving on the fly, team work and the
satisfaction of getting the behind the scenes
details right so the customer experience was
smooth & pleasant.”
DENISA CASEMENT
207. “Understanding emotion & motivation,
how to work as a team, the importance
of language . . . Show me a theater
veteran & I’ll show you someone
intrinsically well trained and ready to be
a fundraiser.”
T. CLAY BUCK
208. “Journalist. You learn great
interviewing skills, plus the writing
and editing practice. You have to get
out and talk to people you don’t
know. Or we did in my day!”
LISA M. CHMIOLA, CFRE
209. “Let me put it this way: I have an
extensive collection of nametags and
hairnets. Working in the service
industry really cemented for me that
teams make leaders, not the other way
round. The strongest leaders tend to be
appointed *by* teams, not *to* them.”
BROCK WARNER, CARE
210. “Restaurant serving. Learned how to
treat people well, have grace under
pressure, mitigate a bad experience and
work as a cohesive team. Despite still
having nightmares about forgetting to
bring water to table seven all these years
later, it was a fantastic training ground!”
EMILY DAWSON
211. “For the world is in a bad state, but everything will become still worse unless each of us
does his best.” ― Viktor E. Frankl