Professional Fundraiser

How could a professional fundraiser help?

There are three types of fundraising campaigns or programmes:

Capital Purpose Campaigns
Capital Purpose Campaigns are conducted in response to an organisation's need to undertake a defined capital project (such as the construction of an auditorium, sporting centre, or headquarters). This is, or should be, a rare event in the life of the organisation. It requires that a small number of gifts, at the required levels, be pledged over an appropriate period. Organisations often retain Professional Fundraising Counsel to assist with the preparation for and direction of a Capital Campaign.

Development Programmes
Development Programmes are ongoing processes for organisations which are designed to build a loyal group of supporters who will share their resources with the organisation. This source of on-going funding is untagged and unrestricted. It requires relatively small, renewable gifts from as many people as possible each year. It requires the input of either an appropriately trained Development Officer, or the regular supervision of a Fundraising Consultant.

Planned Giving Programmes
Planned (or Deferred) Giving Programmes concern themselves with facilitating individuals (usually through appropriate information mediums) to consider making provision in their Will, or through the bequest of an insurance policy or other negotiable securities, for the furtherance of a cause which was important to the donor during their lifetime. Donors in this area have typically supported the chosen organisation during their lifetime in a modest way and have the opportunity to give a gift which can make a real difference to the life and work of the organisation.

To be effective, an on-going fundraising programme must include more than just the raising of funds. In the fundraising profession, we refer to it as a Development Programme. Programmes work best when all elements carry the genuine support and conviction of the organisation's Board, staff and volunteers. The Fundraiser acts in an advisory, designing and co-ordinating role - more like a coach than a player.

Typically there are three areas in which a Professional Fundraiser can assist an organisation in establishing and conducting a Development Programme.

The first is with the preparation of the organisation's Case Statement - a document which sets down the organisation's unique case for funding support from its constituency. This document covers the organisation's past, present and future with a focus on why society needs the organisation rather than on the financial needs of the organisation. The role of the Fundraiser here is to help draft the Case Statement and begin the consultation process with key members of the Constituency which will lead to its acceptance.

The second requirement is to have or develop a group of people who are dedicated to the organisation and who are able to commit their energies to making the programme work. The Board has a major responsibility here. These people must become "passionate advocates" for the organisation. Here the role of the Fundraiser is to train these individuals to represent the
organisation well and sincerely and to ask appropriately for support for programmes which need support.

The third area springs from the first two. It is to develop a timetable for the implementation of the elements of the Development Programme in a way which is realistic and achievable. Goals should be set which you can confidently work towards. These goals should be the result of impartial research by the fundraiser and relate to the needs of the organisation, rather than just a desire to “balance the books”. Few donors will give for such a purpose.

Hiring a Fundraiser, either as a staff member or as a Consultant does not provide a "get rich quick" solution for organisations, but enables the organisation to maximise their present support and to work with a process which will increase their number of donors and supporters in the future. Thoughtful cultivation of these donors will increase your annual fundraising results.

Fundraisers who are members of the Fundraising Institute of New Zealand must all comply with its Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct.

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