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Strategic Sensitivity: Sessions for Success

By John J. Brown
President

In these challenging times, how can you deepen relationships with prospects and existing donors when most have less to give and are less willing to meet? 

When you want to have deeper connections with your campaign donors, add case-based education to your strategic plan.

When you work through institutional case studies, administration, program staff, campaign volunteers, and fundraising staff can improve the quality of their relationships with campaign donors.

In JBL education sessions, strategic plans for gifts-in-progress are debated and sketched out, including preparation for several potential outcomes. For anyone involved in a campaign, or newcomers to the solicitation process, regardless of their role, an introduction to campaign finances can help staff/volunteers understand ways and assets that individuals, foundations, and corporations use to make gifts. 

Perhaps most importantly, educational sessions among members of the campaign team builds rapport.  The informal experience of learning together establishes strong partnerships in the pursuit of significant gifts.

In some cases, education sessions are best managed one-on-one. Private role playing sessions improve questioning technique and listening skills without embarrassing otherwise polished, reserved individuals.

For larger institutions, members of the campaign team can be broken out by population and area of educational focus. These might include:
 
Foundation Officers and Administration (who don’t normally soak in the day-to-day world of relationship management)

Mission Messengers
(the professionals who perform your mission--doctors, professors, curators, etc.)

Boards and Committees
In addition to group training, JBL recommends partnering each board member with his/her own major gifts officer, encouraging monthly meetings to consult on prospects and institutional funding priorities.

If you’d like to discuss your educational needs, we’re here. We can plan educational sessions for volunteers and staff.

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December 2009:
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