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Development Audits
A development audit is largely an internal assessment of the strategies
and methods your organization currently uses to raise money and
their effectiveness. It includes an in-depth review of the way you
approach fundraising and the time and expense spent on each activity.
We review the way you manage donor records, your financial reporting
and governing policies. We analyze your staff structure, how they
interact and how their assignments relate to organizational goals.
We assess your use of volunteers and board members. Then we help
you examine and clarify your short and long range plans and design
an advancement plan with quantifiable benchmarks and action steps.
Development Audits are often conducted in preparation for a capital
campaign, but can be beneficial at any time.
Strategic Planning
Facilitation of strategic planning usually refers to the overall
organization and what it intends to accomplish and how you will
direct resources toward accomplishing those goals. Larger organizations
that have completed such work often seek supplemental strategic
planning for the Development Department and/or Foundation to assist
them with creating a clear plan for resource development and the
steps they need to undertake to support the overall goals of the
institution. We can assist you in either arena - because our services
are customized to your needs.
Feasibility Studies
A feasibility (or market) study is primarily an external assessment
of an organizations ability to raise funds for an outlined project
or goal. These studies rely on confidential, face-to-face interviews
with a carefully selected respondent pool conducted by an unbiased
consultant. The draft Case for Support is tested with a cross section
of board members, community leaders, service users and other key
constituents and prospects. The study seeks to learn many things
including if the need and goal are perceived to be appropriate,
if there will be sufficient volunteer leadership available, the
perceived philanthropic climate and the ranking of the organization
and its campaign in the hierarchy of charities within the region.
Feasibility studies return a comprehensive report to the organizational
leadership outlining if the desired goal is feasible, while identifying
obstacles or weaknesses as well as opportunities for advancement.
Typically conducted for capital campaigns with goals of $1million
or more, the survey design is created especially to reflect the
strategies of the organization.
Campaign Counsel
Campaign counsel assists with the creation of and ongoing orchestration
of the capital and/or endowment campaign strategy; supporting both
staff and leadership volunteer efforts to manage a smooth running
campaign process. A timeline with benchmark steps is created. Coaching
and volunteer recruitment strategies and solicitation training can
be provided. Assistance with governance structure and policies,
prospect identification and evaluation, marketing, case statement
development, and grant writing may be provided. Intensity of counsels’
involvement is determined jointly depending on the availability
and expertise of staff and volunteers. Every development professional
“has too much on their desktop” - and most organizations
recognize the need for an external professional to help clarify
priorities and provide focused strategies and reassurance during
the intensity of a major campaign.
Planned Giving Programs
Planned Giving refers to gifts that require some thoughtful consideration,
often completed through charitable estate planning. Typically deferred
gifts such as bequests, charitable remainder trusts and gift annuities.
The technicalities can inhibit some organizations from pursuing
these arrangements that can be mutually beneficial to both the donor
and non-profit organization. Even if you are a one-person development
department, we can show you how to utilize resources in your own
community to enhance your outreach in this very important fundraising
methodology.
Board Development Coaching
Board Development should be an ongoing process in your organization.
Do you still have a Nominating Committee that meets hastily once
a year before the Annual Meeting - trying to put together the slate
of officers and nominate new board members? Best practices now involve
ongoing identification, recruitment, training, enablement, and reward
systems. Board Development is vital for a strong and vibrant organization.
We can provide the tools and as much counseling as necessary to
help transition your board recruitment and retention efforts into
an on-going and impactful process.
Other Services and program support is provided including planning
annual giving campaigns, outstanding special events, major gift
initiatives, donor recognition programs, marketing, advertising
and branding. Contact us for a one-hour complimentary consultation
to see how an investment in your development programs may bring
great returns for years to come. James Consulting, Inc. does not
conduct fundraising programs for your organization, we work with
your organization to teach and guide you to your greatest potential.
We will direct you to free or low-cost resources when possible.
Our goal is to help non-profit organizations advance and prosper.
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