News & Insights

The annual fund is essential, even in institutions with big endowments. In a 2011 article in In Trust, Rebekah Burch Basinger highlighted the steps boards should take to ensure the success of annual giving campaigns:

  •  Define the parameters in which the annual fund operates:

Board members need to understand their school’s annual fund parameters. For example, are gifts such as bequests or student financial aid gifts included in the annual fund? It’s important for the board to know exactly what is and isn’t included in their annual fund amount.

  • Participate in setting a realistic goal for the annual giving program:

Boards can sometimes end up setting a fundraising goal that is well beyond their school’s ability and history of giving. Therefore, boards should look carefully at their past amounts raised and the financial capabilities of their members in order to establish a realistic annual fund goal.

  • Monitor progress and respond quickly to early signs of trouble:

Rather than being surprised towards the end of the fiscal year by the inability to meet their goal, board members should periodically track the progress of the annual fund as the year progresses. Basinger suggests using a gift range chart, which lists the number of gifts and amounts raised at a given point in time in previous years, to provide a comparison for current progress. She also provides a sample gift range chart to use as a template.

How does your board handle annual fundraising? Do you see any differences in the fundraising landscape now, five years after this article was first published?

If your school or organization is a member of the In Trust Center, log in here to read the whole article.

 

 

Top Topics

Roles & Responsibilities

Challenges

Opportunities

Board Essentials

Upcoming Events

The In Trust Center hosts learning community spaces throughout the year. Check out our upcoming events below.

Closing the Trust Gap

ON DEMAND

The current and very troubling condition of trust is a clarion call to action. But despite the dismal data showing pervasive organizational distrust, every organization can assess their current level of trust, learn and adopt a proven trust building framework, and then develop a meaningful and long-lasting plan of action. This webinar details the knowledge and practical next steps to strengthen workplace culture as a result of closing the trust gap.

In Trust Center Resource Grants

ON DEMAND

An In Trust Center Resource Grant offers member schools a chance to explore innovation at their institutions through a matching grant opportunity of up to $15,000. Listen to this 30-minute information session, including Q&A, as we provide details on eligibility requirements, funding priorities, application process. Previous grantees are eligible to apply as long as they are not within our current funding cycle.

Conflict + Crisis: Navigating the Shoals, Part 2 – A Deeper Dive

ON DEMAND

Presenter Donna Alexander, President & CEO of Advoxum Global Strategies, offers best practices for navigating conflict and crisis. She examines the crucial elements of defining conflict and crisis, identifying, and prioritizing affected stakeholders, utilizing effective communication strategies, and ultimately, executing a plan of action. Click here to view.

Can’t Find What You’re Looking For?

In Trust Center provides Resource Consulting to our members at no charge. Contact us today and let us guide you to the most helpful resources for your situation.

Contact Us