Transformational Stewardship of Your DonorsPresented by Kate Smith, CFRM, CNELMay 2nd, 2019

WELCOME

Your success is our mission. We work collaboratively to create proactive solutions that meet each organization’s unique needs.

Fundraising SolutionsWe provide a deeper understanding of why donors give and strategies for helping your organization raise more money.

Strategic PlanningWe lead your nonprofit through a thoughtful assessment to align goals with organizational values and create a bold plan of action.

Board CatalystSM

We help you assess, strengthen and energize your board members to meet the challenges of today… and tomorrow.

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OUR CLIENTS

We’re proud to work with nonprofits of all sizes that serve a range of interests.

“In Aly Sterling Philanthropy, we know we’ve chosen the best consultant to help us thoughtfully plan and successfully orchestrate our first capital campaign.

The leadership skills, hands-on project management experience and fundraising expertise the firm brings

to the table is providing exactly the direction and counsel we needed to move forward with our

campaign vision. We couldn’t have a more capable and effective project partner.”

Silvia ArguetaExecutive Director | Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

Explore our client list online. alysterling.com/clients

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ØOverview of stewardship & WHYØBest practices for stewardship plansØDesigning a stewardship plan for YOUØReview of successful RMHC stewardship ØQ&A

Agenda

STEWARDSHIP: AN OVERVIEW

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A Quick Exercise

Think of your favorite nonprofit … •What was the largest gift you’ve made to it? •What if, 11 months later, they called you and asked you to increase that gift by 10 times?

Assuming you had the funds, what stewardship factors would need to be in place for you to say yes?

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noun stew·ard·ship \ˈstü-ərd-ˌship

The conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially: the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care.

(Source: Merriam-Webster's 11th Collegiate Dictionary)

Stewardship

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Why Stewardship?

We want to INCREASE the giving by our donors, but we have to EARN the next gift!

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Why Stewardship?

#1 It’s about having good manners. But if that’s not compelling enough…

#2 It will inspire additional gifts.Providing you seek to genuinely understand

more about your prospects/donors.

*Source: Giving USA Foundation

STEWARDSHIP BEST PRACTICES

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Best Practices: Donor Centered Fundraising

According to the landmark book, Donor Centered Fundraising, Penelope Burk’s research reveals

that simple, back-to-basics, and common-sense approaches matter more than anything else.

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Best Practices: Donor Centered Fundraising

The majority of donors say they’d give again if after the first gift, they received the following

three things:

1) Prompt, warm, personalized and meaningful acknowledgment

2) Reassurance that their gift will be used as they intended (for a specific purpose)

3) Meaningful results about the program they funded

*Source: Donor Centered Fundraising by Penelope Burk

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Best Practices: Donor Centered Fundraising

What are the top three reasons donors stopgiving?

1) The absence of the above 2) Distasteful fundraising tactics3) Over-solicitation

*Source: Donor Centered Fundraising by Penelope Burk

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Reflection

How well do you think your organization is stewarding your donors?

What are some examples of how are you stewarding donors?

DESIGNING YOUR STEWARDSHIP PLAN

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Earning. Retaining. Inspiring.

Before jumping in and creating a plan, first you need a few things in place…

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Earning. Retaining. Inspiring.

1) Adopt the Donor Bill of Rights2) Create a Stewardship Committee3) Understand who your donors are 4) Understand what your donors want 5) Motivate giving6) Help guide your donors7) Build trust

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Ideas for Stewardship

• Send a gift receipt immediately after receiving a gift

• Personalize gift receipts with the specific project/program

• Focus thank you letters on the donor and the difference they’ll make

• Include quotes from the recipients and beneficiaries of programs/projects

• Host creative donor appreciation events

• Create giving societies with memberships and perks that will build a sense of community and offer recognition

• Send articles and other information of interest to major donors

• Create special volunteer opportunities for donors who want to get more involved in your organization

SUCCESSFUL RMHC STEWARDSHIP

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Example: RMHC of Northwest Ohio

RMHC of Northwest OhioFounder’s Society

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Creating Donors for Life

Earning. Retaining. Inspiring.Building Relationships.

Thank You

Q & A