A Paradigm Shift: Next Practices

 

The dynamic of donor relationships are experiencing a revolution unlike any seen before.  Communications are no longer segmented, stark, and costly mailings; now we are look toward a present and future filled with rich, bold, all encompassing communications that grab and engage donors and prospects where they are. The real value of this new paradigm, however, is in the genuine, authentic conversation that exists. Regardless of affinity, organization type hierarchy, structure or budget, the standards exist, and at a minimum these should be a core function of every well performing development shop.  What sets the high achieving shop apart is their ability to take calculated risks, embrace failure, and innovate. We innovate not for the sake of being different but because it challenges us to move forward and shed the old guards of the past while challenging conventional wisdom.  Let’s walk through this changing landscape together and learn how to move forward and inspire others to join our mission of innovation and the future of the next best practice..

 

Dancing on the Edge- Pushing the Limits of Innovation in Your Program

 

"Innovation is the only sustainable competitive advantage" says Philip Kotler, marketing guru. We’re all competing to cultivate and steward the same pool of donors. Regardless of affinity or organization type, the standards exist, and at a minimum these should be a core function of every well performing development shop.  What sets the high achieving shop apart is their ability to take calculated risks, embrace failure, and innovate. We innovate not for the sake of being different but because it challenges us to move forward and shed the old guards of the past while challenging conventional wisdom.  Let’s walk through the innovation process together and learn how to move forward and inspire others to join our mission of innovation… you will receive practical take home ideas on items you can launch back in your locations.

 

 Mid Level Donor Stewardship- Fixing Your Hourglass or Sombrero Shaped “Pyramid”!

 

Does your organization have a donor middle class? Can you really afford to ignore a four-figure or low five-figure gift donor? In our focus to raise the largest gifts and in our mastery of the annual fund, we’ve ignored every capacity and interest to give in-between. Generational philanthropic motivations will soon expose this gap as even more pronounced, especially as organizations seek future major gift prospects and donors. Today’s stewardship and cultivation of tomorrow's major gift donors will differentiate those organizations that stagnate from those that thrive. Let’s identify and overcome the barriers to mid-level giving and implement an evidence-based strategy for success before it’s too late.

 

 

 

The “Blanket” Stewardship Approach to Cultivating and Stewarding Your Donors

 

Our resources and staffs have a tendency to be limited while our constituent pools are growing exponentially.  How do we as donor relations professionals reach out systematically to those who are either in dormant stewardship phases, haven’t given recently, gave a long time ago, or give loyally but at smaller amounts?  The answer is a strategically designed “blanket” approach using a combination of available resources and newly created items that can reach a multitude of constituents without increasing staff burdens and costs.  We will examine this new approach and will cover steps for implementation.  Remember some blankets are hand knit and some are electric, just like our communications! By the time you get back home to your donor relations shop, you will be ready to wrap your donors in a warm blanket of engagement, cultivation, and stewardship, even in June!

 

 

Refueling and Retooling your Special Events

 

How can recurring events be refreshed, revitalized and re-imagined without compromising tradition or constituent expectations? This session will highlight innovative approaches to Homecomings, Reunions and other campus customs and events. As we attempt to make events memorable, bringing the process into the 21^st century has, at times, been a struggle.  Learn best practices for uses of Web 2.0, technological effects at events, modern and budget-conscious registrations, social media and eye popping advances to make events run more smoothly.  We will discuss how to drive larger response, attendance understand the importance of behavioral data and advanced event strategies for the future.

 

 

Social Media and Donor Relations, A Strategy for Success!

 

With the dust is settling on the social media explosion, now is the time to take a careful look at how this tool best fits into an overall donor relations strategy. The real value of social media, however, is in the genuine, authentic conversation that exists. Seeding and nurturing these online conversations, however, requires significant strategy and effort. Keeping up with the latest social networking rage is a challenge for even the most tech-savvy nonprofit, but recommending a social media strategy for your constituents to senior leadership is a whole other ball game. This session will help you navigate the world of social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) and be able to translate its benefits to your leadership.