Independent School Development

CASE/NAIS 2011 Chicago

2011-02-01T09:58:00.001-08:00

2009-10-20T11:07:00.001-07:00

The DOW is such a fine gauge of how the economy is doing. Charitable giving will follow. Our inquiries from prospective clients are already increasing.

Tell us how you feel about your job

2009-09-14T07:58:00.001-07:00

So, tell us. We asked this question in the most recent issue of the ORACLE.

What is your favorite part of your job?

What is your least favorite?

You can reply by name or anonymously. However you do so, we look forward to your thoughts.

Perfect timing

2009-04-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

I was flying home yesterday from a prospective client visit and thinking about the fact that we have three schools who've asked us to do an assessment of the development office this summer. Their reasoning is that, while the economy is (hopefully) righting itself, this is the perfect time to be taking a good hard look at the Development Office, and making adjustments where necessary. Adjustments may not mean cutbacks either. We've chatted with a couple of schools recently who wonder if this is a good time to cut or increase staff. Our response has been to let the assessment final report guide them in next steps.

a few glimmers of hope

2009-04-21T08:52:00.000-07:00

Along with what feels like an upward trend in the stock market, we've received a slightly increased number of inquiries from independent schools. It appears that enrollments are holding, and although requests for financial aid are up, they're not up dramatically. Annual giving varies, but what seems to be the common denominator is that schools are beginning to reaffirm that they need to continue to ask. They're more aware of donors' interests and capabilities. If the schools don't ask, they know that someone else will (another nonprofit), and the gift will go to someone else.

Hopefully, these are signs of a greener spring...

some good news

2009-04-07T07:07:00.001-07:00

If you read the most recent issues of the Chronicle, read no further. BUT if you didn't, they had three points of relative optimism:

1. According to their survey, tax laws don't motivate donors. Indeed, half of wealthy donors said they would give even if there was no tax break.

2. Entrepreneurs are more likely to give more. Do you know who your entrepreneurs are??

3. In a survey of 22,000 donors, most intend to keep up their giving. They will consider making adjustments elsewhere in order to do it.

However, it was also said that donors are turned off by too many solicitations, or the perception that the organization is spending a disproportionate amount on fundraising...

We're seeing almost imperceptible signs of improvement. Hang in there!

Donors' intent inspite of the economy

2009-03-26T12:17:00.001-07:00

I was so surprised to read in the Chronicle that most donors don't intend to change their giving habits, and that they'll do whatever they need to in order to support the causes they believe in.

Market watching

2009-03-17T06:42:00.001-07:00

I find myself watching the market, and as it dips, I dip. And as it creeps upward, I get hopeful. A human litmus test. I know how important it is for people to feel hopeful, and that the market gives them something to focus on. A gauge to follow. We all need some sustained good news.

Really got my attention

2009-03-12T06:34:00.000-07:00

I was in a Rotary meeting earlier this week, and heard an interesting presentation by the VP at SCAD (Savannah College or Art and Design). In 30 years, the place has grown from one small building in Savannah to one with numerous locations in Savannah, and exciting new location in Atlanta, a small one in France and one soon to be in Hong Kong. Their bid for free use of a building was the winner in a competition which included many Asian entrants. It was exciting to see such growth, and such incredible work being done. I hope to learn more about the development operation soon.

In this economy

2009-03-09T13:45:00.000-07:00

What are your donors doing? Making gifts, making excuses, making a beeline in the opposite direction when they see you coming. Are you having success in asking for pledges -- payable over the next 3-5 years, theoretically allowing them to skip the current economic mess?

Charter Schools

2009-03-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

We attended our first charter school conference a few weeks ago. We had been asked to bring our independent school model of fundraising to the charter school world, and were the only fundraising consulting firm there. It was very interesting, and reminded me of where the independent school development world was 25-30 years ago.

If you're with a charter school, let us know.

2009-02-17T13:35:00.000-08:00

I am just curious to know how many of you use Facebook in your development offices?

Tips from Ford & Associates

2009-02-13T11:22:00.000-08:00

We have a new issue of our quarterly e-newsletter coming out soon. Don’t miss it---it includes some great information, an offer for subscribers only, and a fun puzzle! If you aren’t receiving it yet, you can subscribe here.

Social Networking

2009-02-03T13:39:00.000-08:00

Linked In, Facebook, My Space...

Do you use any of these or others for "professional" purposes? To keep alumni together, etc.?

It's a big subject these days, but it's also a huge time sponge. I'm trying to get a gauge on how many people use it.

Enrollment and development

2009-01-27T08:59:00.000-08:00

Right about this time of year, schools are setting tuition, sending re-enrollment contracts and extending employment contracts for next year. This year, the word on the street is that schools are concerned that unless tuitions are set very carefully, the possible result of lower enrollments will generate a ripple effect which will hit giving, employment and programs. We've heard that a 3% tuition increase is the highest acceptable number, and that 2% or 2.5% is the norm. Salary increased ranging from 0 to 2% also seem to be common. Savings are effected by cutting programs, cutting staff, increasing class sizes and reducing what is put in the PRISM account or similar.

In this environment, the development office may be busier than ever. If you have a special event, or you're trying to clean up a lagging annual fund, we encourage you to stay the course. Focus on seeking smaller gifts and encourging greater participation in the annual fund, and training volunteers to continue to ask -- for the cause is worthy and the need is great.

The most recent issue of CASE "Currents" has a good article on this. Ten points are offered, concluding with "contine to make the ask". Resd the article then share it with the chair of your Development Committee.

And of course, let us know if there's anything we can do to help.

Following CASE/NAIS

2009-01-15T10:47:00.000-08:00

We've just returned from the CASE/NAIS conference. If you missed it, you might be interested in knowing that anecdotally, in conversations with many schools, as well as from 1. presentations we heard, 2. the most recent issue of CASE Currents and 3. the findings of our own survey, (which I presented yesterday), the overwhelming “take” is that most schools are pressing on with their studies and campaigns. They may have put things on hold in the last quarter of 2008 but they’re getting back to work in this first quarter of 2009. In some cases, they will have shorter lists of campaign objectives, need more volunteer training & will offer longer pledge payment periods. Many of them believe that the case for endowment is easier to make now than ever before. One of our clients has decided to run their endowment campaign now, having delayed it in November, and add the construction component in 18 months, that case being harder to make right now. Boards are beginning to understand that once needs are clarified, the process must continue and the asks must be made. (The idea being that if you don’t ask, someone else will and you won’t get the gift.

These are different times, unprecedented. Hard to know what's "right" other than doing what's right for the school, knowing that good things are bound to follow.

TLC for volunteers

2008-12-16T08:50:00.000-08:00

I was talking with a DoD the other day, and we were discussing what he could do for his volunteers. Citing all that they do, this year more than ever before, he felt that he needs to do more for them. I suggested that, perhaps more than ever before, what his volunteers need is a personal expression of thanks. A note, a phone call, a cup of coffee. A gift isn't necessary -- they have everything they could possibly need.

It's been a tough year, and it may not be over yet. Like most people, what they need is a sense of appreciation and recognition. And we're in a perfect spot to offer that.

What are you doing for your volunteers this holiday season?

2008-12-11T09:11:00.000-08:00

As we all slow down a bit towards year end, and reflect back on the year, we wonder what worked well, and maybe what did not - out with the old and in with the new. We've started a few new services this fall (mini-assessments for just one area of your development office, Head of School coaching - to name just a few) and we started this blog.... We'd love to get your feedback ~ are you lerking, do you read it, have questions or topics you'd like us to discuss? Let us know.

It's so hard to know

2008-12-09T07:07:00.000-08:00

With the unpredictability in the markets, it's so hard to know how to advise schools in their fundraising efforts, so we took a cautious, respectful position: solicit for the annual fund now with such a focus on participation that you might allow your donors to cut their gifts in half, from last year, just to allow them to remain on your list. We're advising schools to cultivate now, and not to solicit capital gifts until January. As of yesterday (12-8) the market continues an upward trend, and we certainly hope it continues. Nevertheless, hold off on any capital solicitations unless the prospect begs for it!

CASE/NAIS 2008 Nashville

2008-10-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

Photo by Billy Howard

What is your office doing during this financial crisis?

2008-10-06T13:06:00.000-07:00

The current financial market’s instability is unsettling and historically unprecedented. In the fundraising business, where we tend to be optimists, the very basis of our work is being tested. We have a job to do, yet the circumstances in which we find ourselves seem to be working against us right now. The market has stumbled before and it recovered.

What are you doing in your development office? Putting things on hold or pressing on? Are you planning one or do you have a Capital Campaign underway? Asking for an increase in annual fund gifts?

Forbes 400

2008-10-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

Have you read the current issue of FORBES 400 Richest People in America, and looked for your school's donors? One, who will remain anonymous, is reported to have a portfolio which lost 44% since last year but she's still on the list. Just imagine what someone like that can do!

Faculty giving to a Capital Campaign

2008-09-05T11:53:00.000-07:00

Q: We want to solicit our faculty before we kick off the campaign, but we don’t want them to feel pressured. What are other schools doing to achieve 100% participation?

A: Faculty participation is a key element to a successful campaign. They know your families best, and can be excellent advocates for the school. The best way make sure they all get behind the effort is to honor them, and explain their importance to the effort. Explain their place in the campaign. After all, they know your families best. Solicit them for nominal amounts, and offer a payroll deduct payment plan. The solicitatino can be as simple as faculty rep handing each a packet with a letter of explanation, pledge and pledge envelope. Explain their their participation is primary, and gift amount entirely secondary. And when it's over, celebrate with pizza and beer!

Welcome to our independent school development clients, colleagues and friends

2008-08-06T13:11:00.000-07:00

This blog is an all-time first for us, and we look forward to using it in many different ways. We hope it will be a place for you to return many times in the course of your daily work.

For now, we're getting used to this new, exciting medium.

How many of you use blogs now in your professional work?