Fundraising strategy

Strategy is a much discusssed issue in the commercial world.   It is vital to the oveall planning of fundraising and allows each member of the team to know what is expected in clear and calculated ways.

However, strategies that are 50 pages long are usually inflexible documents that are hardly read and are usually put in a draw and left until someone picks them up.

A strategic document should be simple and should be a document used by all individuals to make sure what they do contributes to the overall aim of the organisation.

Therefore:-

• Aim to make you strategic document something very simple and something that people will want to look at or use.
• Use clear simple language so that everyone can understand what it means.
• Use it regularly.  For example when discussing current or new projects, does the plan fit with the strategy.
• Make people part of the strategic process.  If you invest in the plan you will use it.

Format of your Strategy

Mission Statement.  What your organisation's mission is.

The Fundaising Statement.  What fundraising's role is within this mission.

Where you currently are.  A brief about where the fundraising department is now

Where you want to be.  A brief about where the fundraising departments wants to be this time in x years (one, three, five?).

The main target for the fundraising department, the targets for the areas in fundraising (major gifts, new business, corporate, annual etc.).

The main budget and the breakdown itno the those targets.

Who will own what sections.  Include their own statements/comments about their targets/departmental objectives.  Make it a personal document that includes people's own visions and aspirations.  

Strategy as a Motivational Tool

A strategic document should provide an overall view of the organisational plan but at the same time be a dynamic working document that individuals can call on when making even the smallest decision.  Ensure your strategic document is short and sweet.

That is all you want from a fundraising strategy.

Action Plans

From this document comes all the specific action plans will be taken from the strategy and worked though with departments or individuals depending on how you want to organise it..

See fact sheet on action plans
 
 

Other fact sheets in Organizational planning
Fact sheet index

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