1. Getting ready to get ready. Be your own toughest critic. Engage as many people as possible in planning your project. Make sure your project will capture people’s imagination.

2. Ask yourself 5 questions: Do we have a strategic plan? Do we have a development plan? Do we have solid financial statements? Are we known and respected? Do we have an active, engaged Board?

3. Three phases of a campaign: Planning and organizing. Execution. Follow up.

4. Planning and organizing are the most important part of the campaign.

5. Are you ready?? Evaluate the project. Make sure your Board of Directors is committed. Make sure you have the internal resources to support a campaign.

6. Test your campaign. (feasibility study)

7. Where will the $$$ come from? Scale of gifts. 80/20 rule. Leadership gift will come from someone you know. Board typically gives 20%. 4 or more prospects needed for each gift.

8. Feasibility study Review and rate supporters. Rate community resources. Create a case statement. Meet with potential supporters. Assess and adjust.

9. Getting organized: Creating a written plan.

10. The Campaign Team Campaign chair and executive director. Play to strengths. Create new opportunities. Have staff/contractors to support the effort.

11. Give them what they need. Training – how to ask for $$$. Have answers to questions funders may ask. Provide excellent campaign materials – prospectus, naming opportunities, pledge. cards, letterhead. Provide research on prospects.

12. Set measurable goals. NameField of interest DeadlineAsk Amount Expected Gift

13. Have a PR & Marketing Plan. Have a plan for accepting gifts and following up. –How will the gifts be recorded. –Who will send the thank you letters. –Who will sign & when is a note needed? –Who will follow up on pledges? Nail down the details.

14. Time to Execute the Plan!

15. Quiet phase: Collect half or more. Should include: –Board gifts. –Lead gift. –Other leadership level gifts. –Size of leadership gifts depends on size of campaign.

16. Public phase: Builds on momentum of quiet phase Include a variety of media – –Kick off event. –Newsletters. –Direct mail. –Gift announcements.

17. Basic rules for making the ask: Personally phone for an appointment. Meet face to face. DO NOT mail the prospectus. Understand the prospect’s giving priorities. Go in pairs. Plan ahead – who will ask for how much. Be positive, upbeat and passionate. Arrange for follow up.

18. How to grow a gift. Have the right person ask. Ask the prospect to consider the most you can reasonably expect to get. Let the prospect know what the gift will be used for. Ask for a gift over several years. Offer options such as appreciated stock.

19. Involving Your Conferences. People give to people – you have hundreds of potential allies!

20. Step 1: Win them over. Communicate with them. Address possible concerns up front.

21. Recruit a winning team. One leader for every 5-6 parishes. People who: –Believe in the cause, –can sell, –are respected, –have time – 2-4 hours per parish. Listen to them!

22. Getting organized. Divide the parishes. Provide information. Set deadlines & goals. Provide materials: –1-pager with pledge form –Campaign envelope –Bulletin notices & newsletter article –Pulpit talk Follow up!

23. Planned approach, with options. Ask Bishop to send a letter. Contact the conference or pastor. Ask for a personal meeting. Leave with follow-up action.

24. #1 Plan: Newsletter or bulletin notices before & after. One-pager with envelope mailed or left in pews. Pulpit talk. Personal appeal to interested parishioners. Repeat once a year.

25. Follow up. Parishes interested in meeting goal. Thank you letter to pastor & conference president. Bulletin notice / article thanking and updating parish.