Capital Venture: Secrets for Success

In his book, Megagifts, Jerold Panas says that the one factor that is most influential in getting a big gift is that the donor believes in the mission of the organization. Most organizations have realized the importance of their mission and have developed a written mission statement. The mission statement should be reviewed annually within the strategic planning process and everything the organization does should relate back to the mission. If you already have a missions statement that you are comfortable with, here are some ideas for where you can publish your mission statement in order to get it out to the public as often as possible (remembering that the belief in the mission will be the main motivating factor in obtaining donations.)

Put your mission statement on all letterhead, envelopes, and response envelopes used in fundraising appeals. And don't forget the back of you business cards.
Hang framed copies of the mission statement in every office and in your lobby.
Put your mission statement on screen savers within your office. (Staff often need reminders of the mission behind their work)
Put the mission statement at the top of every board meeting and committee meeting agenda. This is a good reminder for board members and other volunteers of why they support your organization. The mission statement can also be included in the minutes of meetings.
The mission statement should always be prominent in publications such as the annual report, newsletters and brochures. It should also appear on any videos, PowerPoint presentations and, of course, on the homepage of your website.
Grant proposal should always contain the mission statement.
Fax cover sheets and pre printed directions to your organization's facilities should also include the mission statement.
If you have a postage meter in your office, you can put a short mission statement in your postmark.
Have your voice mail messages include your mission statement.
Agency checks and invoices can also include the mission statement.

If you don't have a mission statement or it is not applicable to your current mission, you should plan a board and staff retreat to work on mission and vision. CAPITAL VENTURE SM can provide facilitation services for retreats as well as help you develop a plan for publicizing your mission statement.