2. The Campaign for Greatest Need
For Now, Forever
The Campaign for Greatest Need
Alpha Chi Omega Foundation

3. Why a campaign? Last campaign m0re than 10 years prior
Previous campaign hadn’t been terribly successful!
Donors needed something to excite and engage them
Needed to boost our annual giving and expand our base of support
We had the right leaders for staff, Fraternity board, Foundation board, and campaign committee…
Needed to seize the moment
Needed to boost giving to the next level to do what we needed
Initiated campaign planning with internal retreat with boards… brought in outside consultants to insure they understood what would be needed of them, staff and volunteers. Conducted a feasibility study…will discuss in more depth later

4. Why “Greatest Need”?
Needed to increase the “value-add” for our members
Needed to update our programming to remain current and relevant
Rising cost of dues & fees
Couldn’t ask collegiate members to pay for more
Ensure sustainability of the Real. Strong. Women. Experience
Allow for flexibility for our Fraternity leaders

5. Campaign Objectives
Provide critical funding to enhance and grow our collegiate programming
Enhance our support for domestic violence awareness through additional healthy relationships initiatives
Increase our donor outreach and cultivate new prospects for the future
Model and recognize planned giving to provide sustainability for the long-term

6. The Case for Support
Give the gift of Alpha Chi Omega to future generations
“In 10 years they’ll be ready for Alpha Chi. Will Alpha Chi be ready for them?
Ensure the Real. Strong. Women. Experience is here for our daughters and granddaughters
Worked without side consultants to create a message that would garner support at all levels… annual, major and planned. It was an emotional appeal and backed with data to meet donors where they were

7. Campaign Goals Proposed goal was $5.5 million $2.5 million cash
$3 million planned giving
This was a conservative estimate based upon the wealth screening. Did have all alumni records researched to understand the wealth base, as well as inclination to give.

8. The Feasibility Study
Feasibility study distributed online to 49,390 members
3,734 (7.6%) viewed the
1,870 of Alumnae responded
545 of Collegians responded
2,415 Total Complete Responses for a response rate of 4.9%
Length of time to complete the survey was 9 minutes for collegians and 11 minutes for alumnae
Worked with consultant – former board member Angela Seaworth (ACFRE)
Also delivered in person or via personal to 60 key donors and potential donors. This testing went along with establishing the overall goal, which was conservative.

9. Alumnae Reactions to Possible Campaign Initiatives

10. Collegiate Reaction to Possible Campaign Initiatives

11. Members Ranked Possible Campaign Initiatives
Collegiate Programming 93% alumnae ranked as 1st or 2nd 96% collegians ranked as 1st or 2nd Alumnae Programming 55% alumnae ranked as 1st or 2nd 51% collegians ranked as 1st or 2nd Endowment 52% alumnae ranked as 1st or 2nd 53% collegians ranked as 1st or 2nd 44% of both groups ranked endowment as 3rd priority

12. Alumnae Most Likely to Support

13. Best Way to Accomplish What AXO Wanted to Accomlish
Both alumnae (57%) and collegians (55%) would like a written and visual package that details plans, provides an overview of the campaign, and contains stories of women in need and women who have succeeded
22% of alumnae would like a simple overview of the campaign plans
22% of collegians would like to see and hear about women in need and success stories
Provided a detailed case for support and accompanying video to motivate/inspire giving

14. Campaign Communication
Alumnae want …
to hear from alumnae or pledge sisters
to have online information and requests
to hear from a current collegian
Collegians want…
to hear from a current collegian, the Foundation Director, alumnae or pledge sisters (in that order)
Only 18% of collegians selected online information and request in the top two communication methods

15. Approval of Campaign Moving Forward

16. For Now, Forever Silent Phase $7 Million Goal Feb 2011-Jun 2012
$4 Million Cash/Pledges
$3 Million Planned Gifts

17. Campaign Goal and Timeline
The overall goal was to raise $7 million through outright and planned gifts by the convention. The first phase of the campaign, which was a quiet phase, began in February and ran through June The intent was to raise 70% of goal by the July 2012 convention.
The public phase was to kick off at the convention and the remaining 30% toward goal raised by the 2014 convention.

18. Additional Goals
Model and celebrate planned giving to build sustainability
Encourage growth in annual giving
Grow our donor pool through appeals to new prospects
Begin cultivation for the “next campaign”

19. Campaign Pyramid

20. Importance of Volunteer Leadership
Campaign Committee
The campaign committee was a select group of Alpha Chi Omegas who were leaders, philanthropists, and sisters passionate about our cause. The committee served as partners to the Foundation Board of Trustees and Foundation Staff to help achieve the goal of building a stronger Alpha Chi Omega.
The committee worked with the Campaign Chairs and the Foundation Staff in the areas of strategy and execution. Key roles of committee members were: 
Help identify individuals who will be significant donors to the campaign
Assist in making connections (“opening doors”)
Partner with Trustees and/or staff to visit with prospects
Serve as host for key campaign events
Be Lead Donors to the campaign
The Campaign Committee’s purpose helped ensure that current and future generations of Alpha Chi Omegas receive all that we experienced and more… and the way to do that is by elevating our level of giving—creating a true culture of philanthropy within our sisterhood.
Campaign co-chairs included the immediate past-Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees (Kitty DeKieffer) and immediate past National President (Donna Chereck)
Training for our volunteers

21. Staffing Actively involved CEO and Foundation Director
Campaign Director – limited contract
Began to build our major gift program

22. Donor Recognition For Now, Forever bracelet for $2,500 gift
Huge hit! Our members like bling and they are competitive!
Recognition items for cumulative levels reached during the campaign

23. Public Launch Convention 2012 Internal goal increased to $10 million
More than $6 million raised
Heavier on planned giving, needed some
First two gifts of $1,000,000 or more
Over 170 sisters had participated
Internal goal increased to $10 million
Public phase
Became “comprehensive”
Direct mail, e-campaigns, continued direct asks

24. Celebrating success Contributions to For Now, Forever
6,800 individual members
114 alumnae chapters
All 134 collegiate chapters

25. Successes

26. Lessons and Challenges
Our donors are motivated to give for our programs
Leadership changes can negatively impact momentum
Continuity among staff and volunteers is important
Ongoing stewardship of pledges is critical to retain donors beyond the campaign
Plan for “beyond the campaign”
Changed CEO, National President, and Foundation Chair in 2012 (after public launch)
Lots of “I don’t need to visit her, she’s still paying on her pledge”
Pledge administration difficult with our systems – poor follow up on past due pledges
Board and staff and donor “fatigue” after final celebration – and many regular donors still paying their pledges – how to keep focusing on bringing in new revenue and donors

27. Laying the Groundwork for “The Next Campaign”
Maturing major gifts program
Build on cultivation of new donors from FNFE
Retain FNFE donors to continue giving at higher levels going forward
Clearer gift recognition guidelines – particularly for planned gifts

28. Questions