Abraham Lincoln is often credited with saying, “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” The new year is a great time to get your house in order and “create the future” for your foundation. Having an annual plan allows you to take an organized approach to your work. By setting aside one meeting each year specifically for planning, you can make your meetings more efficient and create accountability among board members. An added bonus is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel year after year!
Some important aspects of an annual plan include:
Planning ahead for board transitions
- Revisiting board terms.
- Discussing recruitment of new board members.
- Training new board members.
Setting realistic fundraising goals such as:
- 100% board giving.
- 70% donor renewal rate.
- Acquiring X new donors.
- Raising X dollars for the endowment fund (or project fund or operating fund, etc.).
Making Donor Stewardship a Priority
- Creating a strategy for how and when you say “Thank You!” to your donors.
- Hosting a donor appreciation event. (Your current and past donors are your most likely future donors!).
Establishing a Plan for Ongoing and Consistent Marketing
- Establish a Facebook presence and use it, use it, use it!
- Email blasts or newsletter/e-newsletter.
- Consistent newspaper presence through press releases, ads and articles about recent accomplishments.
And Finally…
- Clarifying responsibilities of board members. Who is going to make all of these things happen?
- Identifying “other stuff” that is important for your board.
- Establishing a budget for planned activities.
- Planning for annual events and activities.
So set aside some time to do some planning and decide exactly what you’d like to accomplish in the coming year. If you would like assistance with an annual planning session feel free to contact me at: [email protected]. And don’t forget to check out the resources section of the fundportal website for annual planning templates and more!
“If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
-Yogi Berra
