Last updated: 6 March, 2002 Introduction I. Board of Directors/Governance II. Human Resources Management III. Financial Management IV. Strategic Planning V. Collaboratives/Partnerships VI. Outcomes and Quality Improvement VII. Information Technology Management VIII. Fundraising IX. Marketing Bibliography VIII. Fundraising Overall fundraising policies are developed to ensure ethical and sound practices and to ensure that practices match the values of the organization. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Fundraising policies outline ethical and sound fundraising practices for the organization. 1.1 Executive Director, Board leadership and fund development staff work to develop fundraising policies for the organization and review annually. Example of issues to address include: list sharing policies, number of funding requests to be made per year, acceptable sources of revenue, definition of major donor, etc. 1.2 Executive Director and Board leadership ensure that Board and staff understand policies and the rationale for them. 2. Fundraising policies demonstrate the values of the organization and articulate any sources of funding or types of fundraising activities that are inappropriate for the organization. 2.1 Executive Director and Board leadership define organizational values with staff and Board with respect to sources of revenue 2.2 Executive Director, Board leadership and fund development staff articulate any inappropriate sources of revenue based on those values. (Also see Strategic Planning and Board Governance) Annual fund development plan shows a diversified funding base and corresponds to Board-approved budget. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Annual fund development plan is developed in conjunction with the Board approved budget to ensure goals are set for diverse revenue sources. 1.1 Executive Director and fund development staff develop detailed plans for each income line item in the organization's budget to determine how to achieve each goal. 1.2 Executive Director and fund development staff identify all possible sources of revenue and revenue-generating activities to ensure as diverse a funding base as the organization can achieve at its current level of staff, volunteers and financial resources. There is organization-wide awareness of and participation in fundraising activities as appropriate. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Fund development plan is discussed with all staff and Board. 1.1 Executive Director, Board leadership and management staff review outline of fundraising plan in appropriate meetings with staff and Board. 2. Mechanisms for participation in fundraising plan are discussed for all staff and Board members as appropriate to their role in the organization. 2.1 Board leadership seeks to achieve 100% participation by the Board in giving and participating in fundraising activities. 2.2 Executive Director and management staff identify appropriate roles for staff in fundraising activities. All donors are treated with respect and with the degree of confidentiality they desire. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. All donor information is recorded as to date and amount of gift, any restrictions and other pertinent information 1.1 Fund development staff ensure that a comprehensive data collection methodology is in place to record donor information. (See Information Technology) 1.2 Fund development staff ensure that all donor data is recorded with timeliness and accuracy. 2. Donors are acknowledged promptly for their contribution and in whatever public way is appropriate for the organization and for the donor. 2.1 Fund development staff generate acknowledgement letters in accordance with IRS guidelines immediately upon receipt of any gift. 2.2 Executive Director and Board leadership acknowledge donors in any public venues or written material as appropriate to the organization and the donor's desire for anonymity. Funders are provided with honest and accurate information about the organization's work and status. Best Practices Suggestions for Achieving Best Practices 1. Regular communications are made with donors with accurate information about the organization's performance, programs and activities. 1.1 Executive Director, fund development staff and management staff develop and implement strategy for communicating with donors through whatever regular mechanism and timeline is appropriate, e.g. newsletter, email update, special reports, annual report, etc. 1.2 Executive Director, fund development staff and management staff solicit information from program staff about programs, services and outcomes to use in donor communications. (See also Marketing) Back Back to top Next