September 6, 2016

Keep the Campaign Steering Committee on Track

After all the pre-campaign work is done, one of the most important tasks for a successful campaign is to keep the campaign steering committee focused. Here are tips for staying on track:

Establish regular meeting times
While nothing about a capital campaign should be completely routine, regularly-scheduled meetings will keep the campaign steering committee on task. Setting meetings to be held every two weeks - or at least monthly - on the same day, in the same place, at the same time, will provide a sense of continuity and security, and enable the campaign steering committee to plan ahead and function at a high level.

Set clear agendas
A properly-managed campaign steering committee meeting should start and finish on time and last no more than one hour. From top to bottom, the agenda should clearly state the most recent accomplishments, future goals and the methods to be used to accomplish the upcoming goals.

Make specific assignments
The campaign is only as successful as the fundraising strategies that are implemented and solicitations that are made by well-trained campaign steering committee members. An important part of each campaign steering committee meeting is to assign specific committee members with the names, contact information and research of fundraising prospects they are expected to call. At the next meeting, share the results of those calls. A regular forum, where each campaign steering committee member reports on their meetings, assignments and results, is critical to the campaign's success.

A well-run campaign reflects positively on the organization's board of directors and the campaign steering committee. Most importantly, prospective donors will be impressed and the community-at-large will respond favorably.

John Warren, Executive Vice President (Winchester, Va.) [email protected]

Join Us on the Growing Philanthropy Tour

Next stops on the road to achieving Hartsook's mission of growing philanthropy by 25 percent in the next 20 years:

Washington, D.C.
September 15, 2016
The NonProfit Times Power and Influence Gala
Hartsook Sponsor

Kansas City
October 26, 2016
Shepherd's Centers of America
National Conference
Karin Cox

Kansas City
November 2016
AFP Mid-America Chapter
National Philanthropy Day
Hartsook Sponsor

Minneapolis
November 18, 2016
National Philanthropy Day
"Relationship Buidling: What Works and What Doesn't"
"Donor Retention and Loyalty"
Adrian Sargeant

London
November 22-23, 2016
Directory of Social Change Fundraising Fair 2016
Adrian Sargeant

Oklahoma City
August 2017
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits
"Relationship Building: Where Do We Go From Here?"
Adrian Sargeant

Tulsa
August 2017
Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits
"Massive Fundraising"
Adrian Sargeant

Past Stops on the Tour

Resources for Smart Fundraising Available on Kindle

Keep up to date on the latest fundraising trends with the Kindle ASR Media collection:

• Reality Fundraising - Ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide by Bob Hartsook
  
• Fundraising Leadership - The definitive source for empowering board members to become pro-active fundraising leaders by Karin L. Cox
  
• Getting Your Ducks in a Row - A tool box of strategies for effective campaign fundraising by Bob Hartsook
  
• Million Dollar Gifts - Real-life stories of million-dollar gifts that will amaze and inspire your fundraising by Bob Hartsook
  
• Closing that Gift - "29 secrets" to closing a gift and avoiding the top 10 solicitation mistakes by Bob Hartsook
  
• Performance-Driven Fundraising - Handy, yet entertaining reference tool for new and seasoned fundraisers by Matt Beem
  
• Nobody Wants to Give Money Away! - Stories, humor and more than two decades of fundraising experience in which Bob explores the nine fundraising truths essential to success by Bob Hartsook
  
• On The Money! - An enlightening collection of success stories and lessons learned from nonprofit fundraising campaigns nationwide by Bob Hartsook

Book Deal of the Month

Fundraising Leadership: The Essential Guide for Nonprofit Board Members Who Want to Make a Lasting Difference (ASR Media) - an exciting book by Karin L. Cox - is the definitive source for empowering board members to become pro-active fundraising leaders. Click here for a special price of $10 (plus shipping and handling).

On the Web

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Strategies for Success explores smart ideas, connecting with thousands of fundraising professionals. We welcome your best practices contributions or comments. Send to Strategies for Success editor Karin Cox, [email protected]. If you'd like a free subscription to Strategies for Success or its monthly companion, eHartsook on Philanthropy, contact [email protected].