Fund Development
What do we mean exactly…
In our case, Fund Development is not managing your fundraising efforts – that would fall under Operations. We don’t mean maintaining your donor data either – that would call under Administration. What we mean is that we will help you focus your funding and fundraising activities in optimized ways so that you work smarter and not harder. No one likes to ask for money, but the money isn’t for you – it’s for the mission, the vision, and the future of the organization.
Understanding your revenue mix is the first step. Where is your money currently coming from and what are other options available to you?
Understanding your funding sources is the next step. Who funds your organization and how much work does it take you to build, maintain, or grow those relationships?
AM/PM can assist in building out the strategy and materials needed to help you raise support and not just fundraise.
Fundraising Materials
It takes money to make money and donors do expect to see how their money is being put to use. Regardless of what it is, fundraising materials need to be an accurate reflection of the organization. When not done “right” in the eyes of your funder, relationships can be lost.
Here is a non-exhaustive list of fundraising materials AM/PM can create with you:
Annual or Impact Reports
Case for Support
Fundraising Packets
Giving Guides
Marketing Collateral: business cards, rack cards, letterhead, various logo formats, brand standards, etc.
Funding Sources
Donations, pledge commitments, grants, sponsorships, fee-based services, merchandise, annuities, endowments… That is not an all encompassing list of the way a nonprofit organization generates revenue. Understanding where the dollars are coming from and how to ensure the funding stream remains in place is the heart of knowing the ROI (return on investment) of your funding relationships.
REvenue Mix
What is the fullness of the numbers being presented each month? Are the cash flow projections and annual budgeting process easy to understand? Being able to interpret revenues and expenses is a vital and foundational need when it comes to Fund Development. As in all things, it takes money to make money, so having a strong grasp of the Revenue Mix is a good place to start.