1. Planning campaigns carefully
Nonprofits
use utilize feasibility studies before conducting campaigns to maximize
their potential, but at an international fundraising conference Kathleen
Sutton of The Dini Partners offered advice about conducting such a study.
Among the considerations
are the following:
- Do we really
need one? Is there a working goal? Is a campaign strategy outliend?
Is there approval/strong support from the board?
- What should
a feasibility study provide? Does it give an idea of strengths
and challenges? Can it help build/refine the case? Does it shape
or confirm overall campaign strategy?
- Can we do this
kind of study ourselves? Will there be a problem with objectivity?
Do we need an outside perspective? Do we need experience?
- How does this
kind of study ensure success? Has leadership "bought in" with
the idea? Can it help identify necessary resources to execute the
campaign?
- Who should conduct
the study?
If we go with an
outside source, can we expect them to deliver what they promise,
staff the project appropriately, meet our schedule, treat our constituents
as we do and have the right chemistry with us?
- How can we avoid
common pitfalls, such as an off-the-shelf canned campaign or the
wrong people, tools or approach?
|
