Development Plan Tips

If you don't have a written development plan for your organization, now is the time to do one. Some things to remember:  

1. Make sure you have buy-in from the Executive Director, Board of Directors and Development Committee on the larger goals of the plan.
2. Set realistic goals, but stretch to reach new heights.
3. Each goal must have objectives that are SMART-Specific, Measurable, Action-oriented, Realistic, yet visionary, and Time-defined.
4. Make sure you have goals that include an integrated development program, involving various types of fundraising programs-direct response, personal visits, grants, special events, etc. In other words, don't put "all your eggs in one basket."
5. Research acceptable standards for each program, i.e. an acquisition direct mailing should get a ½ to 1 ½ percent response ratio and should not cost more than $1.50 per dollar raised.
6. Remember the 90/10 rule-90 percent of your donations will probably come from 10% of your donors so you should be focusing 90% of your energies on this top 10%.
7. The plan should include three key areas for each objective-assignment of a person or team responsible for implementing the objective, a timeline for completion, and a budget (for both anticipated income and anticipated expenses).
8. There must be a person or team responsible for monitoring the plan and keeping it alive.
9. Evaluation methods must be established to track success.
10. Remember that the process and the product are both important.

If you need help with your development plan, read Linda Lysakowski, ACFRE’s book, The Development Plan, or contact the experts at CAPITAL VENTURE who can help you develop your plan.

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