2008 Board Development Training

Traction Advisory Board

2008 Development Training
March 30,2008

Derwin Dubose, Development

Chair
derwin.dubose@gmail.com
 2008 Board Development Training

Our Fundraising Mission

Traction is developing an on-going
development program that generates the
funds needed to not only sustain the
organizationally annually, but also lays the
groundwork for long-term plans.

It is the Board’s responsibility to create and

sustain that program and realize that
donors are not raised, but they are
developed.
 2008 Board Development Training

Outline of the Training

Overview of our Fundraising Plan
Fundraising Resources and Time Allocation
Some concrete proposals for your approval
The “quick and dirty” on major giving
One final word of advice
QNA
 2008 Board Development Training

Five Components to the

Program
A Board Campaign
– 100% Board giving sets the tone for the
organization.
Capacity Building
– Infrastructure building in 2008 will set
the tone for the organization’s complete
future.
– Donor database, email, website,
publications
 2008 Board Development Training

Five Components to the

Program
Grants and Strategic Partnerships
– The backbone of our funding sources
Major Gifts
– Defined previously as gifts above $100
– Sustains long-term organizational
history
Grassroots fundraising
– Member contributions, pass-the hat,
 2008 Board Development Training

Three Fundraising
Resources
The only Board, Donors,
resource we Traction
can’t make Members,
more of! Volunteers
Time People
Where do we
focus our
attention?

Money
The money we bring in and the money we spend
 2008 Board Development Training

A New Model for Time

Allocation
$200,000
Grants and

 Financial Goal 

Strategic
Bo

t
ar

Partnerships

en
d/

$40,000 Major Gifts

st

tm
af

s
ft

ve
im

in
Events
e

on
co

rn
Grassroots
m

$7,500

tu
m

Fundraising

Re
itm


en
t
 2008 Board Development Training

Concrete Proposals
ED take lead on grants and strategic
partnerships
– Board ensures support by recruiting
volunteers to help with grants and
sponsorships
– Board assists ED when possible to
submit grants
– Explore ways the new staff can assist
with grants and sponsorships
 2008 Board Development Training

Concrete Proposals
Less resources going toward events and
grassroots fundraising
– Vital to programming, but low ROI for FR
– Shift from reactive fundraising to
proactive
• No staff/volunteer capacity for many FR
events
• Quality of product compromised
– Adapt a “less is more” approach to
events
• August 31: House Party (Save the Date)
 2008 Board Development Training

Concrete Proposals
Board takes the lead on capacity building
– Vital to the long-term success of the
organization and essential to all aspects
of fundraising
– Donor database and email 
– A new website
– Fundraising publications (case
statement, proposals)
 2008 Board Development Training

Concrete Proposals
Board takes the lead on major giving
– Vital to the long-term success of the
organization
– Major donors stick around for a while
– Grassroots donors become major donors
over time if a good major giving
infrastructure is in place
– Learning experience for Board
members’ professional development
 2008 Board Development Training

Major Giving
Defined by Traction as
$100+ gifts
2 @ $5000 = $10,000
Goal set at $40k this
= $10,000
year 4 @ $2500

7 @ $1,000 = $7,000

11 @ $500 = $5,500

20 @ $250 = $10,000

30@ $100 = $3,000

Total = $40,000
 2008 Board Development Training

Moves Management for Major

Giving
Moves management is a series of initiatives
or moves to develop each prospect's
awareness of,
knowledge of,
interest in,
involvement with,
and commitment to
the institution and its mission.
 2008 Board Development Training

TRACTION
Moves Management for Major
STYLE
Giving
Research and Identification
Cultivation
Solicitation
Stewardship
 2008 Board Development Training

Research and Identification

Who are our prospects?
– Friends and family
– Traction members
– Employers and coworkers
– Community leaders and elected officials
– Ideological partners (list shares and
public lists)
Database entry and data management
Assignment to major gift “officers”
 2008 Board Development Training

Cultivation
Introduction to the prospect
– Phone call, email, referral, “bump”
Relationship building by assigned officer
– In-person advisory meeting
– Personal invitation to Traction event
Needs
– Clear and concise website and materials
 2008 Board Development Training

Solicitation
Person-to-Person solicitations with ED and
assigned officer
– In-person asks for 80-20 donors
– Formal proposals for 80-20 donors
– Phone and at-event asks okay for lower
dollar
Needs:
– Clear and concise website and
professionally done materials (campaign
plan)
 2008 Board Development Training

Stewardship
Prompt personal acknowledgement of
donations (3 hits)
Public recognition
– Website (prominent billing), publications
– Giving societies, special events
Stewardship visits for large donors
Get referrals to other donors
 2008 Board Development Training

One Final Bit of Note

Traction needs a development staff person
– Coordinating major gifts, researching
prospects, doing data entry, and
planning events are four full-time jobs
– We are limiting ourselves and losing
continuity/efficiency by having
volunteers drive and coordinate this
process, as opposed to staff
 2008 Board Development Training

QNA
How do you see yourself fitting into the
moves management process?
What are your questions/concerns?