Annual Fund Strategies

Annual Giving  Annual Giving is reported as the #1 Priority among Catholic High Schools  Covers current year’s operating “Gap” between tuition and actual expense  Average Catholic High School Gap is ~$1,700 per student

Annual Giving Annual giving includes all donations that can be used in the current fiscal year, and is typically comprised of:  Annual Fund  Auctions and other events  Major or Special Gifts

The Annual Fund  Should be the Cornerstone of all Annual Fundraising Activities  Average Catholic High School Annual Fund is $396,000 out of $686,000 in total annual revenue  Usually includes unrestricted gifts under $10,000

Keys to Annual Fund Success  Education of the “Gap” and the importance of the Annual Fund in our Mission  Consistency, Repetition and Personalization  Disciplined Execution

Suggested Annual Fund “Pillars”  Direct Marketing Program  Personal Solicitations/Phone Calls  “Parent Partnership” Program

Direct Marketing  Develop an Annual Fund Brand  Brochure, letterhead, s, PowerPoint  Personalized, segmented messages to each constituency group  Recognize past donors vs non donors  Ask for increased donation level  Explain the impact of the Annual Fund  Promote matching gifts

Direct Marketing  At least two mailings to the complete database with a brochure  August/September and November/December  January - June focus mailing to Lybunts and Sybunts  Segmented Letters, postcards, s  Phonathon  Targeted campaign in between mailings  Parents  Alumni  Drive constituents to the website  Online Annual Fund donation page

Personal Solicitations  Target ~20 – 30 in total  Best prospects are past donors of $500+  Include selected incoming Freshmen Parents  Coordinate with other Major Gift activities  Can be a first step to a Major Gift or Planned Gift  Use Wealth Screening data  Involve school President whenever possible  Personal phone calls can be effective as well

“Parent Partnership” Program  Invite parents to a series of 25 – 30 minute presentations in the Fall  Goal is to meet with all parents  Explain the “Gap” and what the Annual Fund is used for  Ask for their support to cover the “full” cost of an education  Explain what it means to be a parent at your school  Reinforce our Mission

Setting Goals  Establish realistic but aggressive Goals:  Total gross revenue  Limit cost per dollar raised to < $.25  Average parent donor rate is 27%  Average alumni donor rate is 12%  Board participation should be 100%  Average Faculty/Staff donor rate is 44%  Measure return from each mailing

Other Considerations  $1,000 Society Member Event  “Tuition Assistance” appeal as a separate program within the Annual Fund  Restricted vs Unrestricted donations  Automated phone messages prior to direct mail drops  Class/Reunion/Decade Representatives and giving programs  Parent and Alumni Chairs  Education of current students about giving back  Recognition