Synopses & Reviews
Praise for AN EXECUTIVE'S GUIDE TO FUNDRAISING OPERATIONS
"Chris's pragmatic approach to fundraising operations can be applied easily to any development shop, especially those seeking to maximize resources, eliminate waste, and improve efficiency. Our team has benefited greatly from Chris's experience and insight."Deborah Curran, Senior Executive Director, Development Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
"An Executive's Guide to Fundraising Operations provides a hands-on look at ways in which operations build stronger fundraising programs. Chris Cannon not only draws on his years of experience consulting with great programs around the globe, but also upon the experiences of practitioners, to craft one of the most important fundraising books of this decade."BRUCE W. FLESSNER, Founding Principal, Bentz Whaley Flessner
"Chris Cannon's work is a good addition to the body of fundraising literature for all organizationsit provides an excellent framework for a best practice model in operations with excellent examples that will benefit all fundraising shops." Eugene A. Hayes III, President, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Foundation
"Chris Cannon's book stands out as an engaging and inspiring resource for executives who are leading today's fundraising operations in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing environment. Based on insights gained from years of exemplary work experience in the field, Cannon's book provides a comprehensive framework that is rich with practical guides and tools."William J. Latta, Associate Vice President for Advancement Services, Michigan State University
"Anyone who leads a fundraising or development organization ought to be concerned with making their supporting operations 'spin like a top.' In turbulent times, an efficiently spinning back-of-house also provides for gyroscopic stability and responsiveness to change. An Executive's Guide to Fundraising Operations covers major components of operational groups and is valuable to new directors and experienced professionals alike."Rob Scott, Executive DirectorDevelopment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
"This book is a terrific new resource for fundraising executives. Chris offers practical solutions for better decision-making based on appropriate use of resources and data analysis while avoiding the dreaded 'analysis paralysis' syndrome. This book is ideal for development officers at any level."Donald J. Whelan Jr., Vice Chancellor for University Advancement, Texas Christian University
Synopsis
A straightforward guide to the principles of effective fundraising operations
An Executive Guide to Fundraising Operations provides fundraisers with easy-to-understand approaches to evaluate and address fundraising operations needs and opportunities. This guide simplifies and focuses on the analysis of problems and needs, allowing a quick return to fundraising.
- Provides the essential framework to improve and innovate development operations
- Includes dozens of practical tools, including sample policies for data, database, reporting, and business processes
- Offers sample workflow illustrations for gift processing and acknowledgment, report specification, and other processes
- Features sample reports for campaign management, performance management, and exception management
- Delivers effective calculators for operational rules of thumb
No matter what the department is called, most fundraisers struggle with evaluating operational issues. This guide leads you through principles of effective fundraising operations, simplifies complicated topics, and offers solutions to some of the most vexing operations dilemmas.
Synopsis
As a fundraising executive, you can quickly become mired in details, especially without the right filters and evaluation strategies. You require the necessary tools to manage even the most complex aspects of your operations while maintaining your focus on fundraising. An Executive's Guide to Fundraising Operations helps you work smarter, not harder.
Presenting the framework, fundamentals, and details you need to manage operations, An Executive's Guide to Fundraising Operations is filled with hundreds of useful tricks and tips for addressing operations needs. The Guide's clear, step-by-step guidance covers crucial responsibilities including program support, technology applications, data maintenance, gift processing, reporting and analytics, and compliance.
Author and widely regarded development leader Christopher Cannon provides invaluable resources to boost your fundraising operations, with discussion of:
Important parameters for fundraising operations
A framework for assessing operational activities
The responsibilities of the fundraising operations team
Connecting operations to programs and integrating fundraising teams
Emerging trends that may require your operations team to redefine its current strategies
Tools and calculators for fundraising executives to gauge success
No matter how your nonprofit refers to fundraising operations, the truth is most fundraisers struggle with evaluating their operational issues. Filled with case studies, best practices, and helpful evalution tools, this guide demystifies this crucial department within the nonprofit, offering solutions for some of the most vexing operations dilemmas.
About the Author
Christopher Cannon, CFRE, is a managing associate with Bentz Whaley Flessner, a full-service development consulting firm serving higher education, healthcare, and nonprofits. Mr. Cannon partners with clients around the world to leverage their data, technology, and processes to foster increased fundraising results. His presentations and writing, such as recent articles in AHP Journal and AFP's Advancing Philanthropy, focus the fundraiser on aligning fundraising operations with the organization's programs and mission.
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
Chapter 1: Introduction.
Supporting Fundraising.
What is Fundraising Operations and Where Should It fit in the Organization?
Fundraising Operations: What's in a Name?
What Does “Fundraising Operations” Include?
Organizational and Environmental Factors Shape Operations.
Using this Guide to Improve Decisions.
Chapter 2: Principles of Fundraising Operations.
Data, Technology, Reporting, Process, and People.
Data.
Technology.
Reporting.
Processes as Key Responsibilities.
People.
Chapter 3: Responsibilities of Your Fundraising Operations Team.
Technology Management.
Primary Roles in Transitions: Arbiter and Advocate.
Data Maintenance.
Gift Processing.
Reporting.
Prospect Development.
Stewardship.
Compliance.
IT, HR, Finance, and More.
A Special Note about Finance.
Chapter 4: Program Support.
Major Giving.
Annual and Unrestricted Giving.
Constituent Engagement Programs.
Events.
Special Initiatives or Constituencies.
Healthcare Fundraising and Grateful Patient and Family Programs as Special Cases Moving from Fundamentals to Innovations.
Chapter 5: Trends, Fads, and Staying Ahead of the Curve.
Which Curve?
Applying Principles to Trends.
Volume, Accessibility, and Ubiquity of Data.
Consumer Data, Analytics, and Ethics.
Virtualization, Web Applications, and Mobility.
Social Media Mania.
Evolving applications for evolving technologies.
Advances in Reporting and Analytics.
New Staff and Performance Considerations.
Fast-moving Trends.
Chapter 6: Decision Advice from the Field.
Ideas from Practitioners.
Development Leader at a Leading Austrailian University.
Children's Healthcare Foundation President.
Fundraising Operations Consultant.
Liberal Arts College Vice President.
Advancement Leadership at Division I University.
University System Operations Assistant Vice Ppresident.
Healthcare Executive Director of Development.
Executive Director at a Top 10 University.
Development Director at a Leading Medical Center.
Making Your Executive Decisions.
Chapter 7: Tools for Fundraising Operations.
FundraisingOperations.com.
Data.
What are the ten signs of bad data?
How do you know your data are accurate?
Technology.
What are the five myths of the conversion process?
What does a data exception log look like?
How effective is the implementation of your database?
What does a sample scorecard look like?
Reporting.
What are the seven qualities of a great reporting environment?
What are five most important types of reports for campaign and prospect management?
What does an effective data dictionary look like?
Processes.
How can you calculate and establish impact measures for your operations team?
How can you gauge good training outcomes?
How can you evaluate your gift processing?
What does the “front of the line” approach look like for gift processing?
How should gift processing assess donor’s checks?
What does a good staff survey on operations look like?
How can you start a great prospect management system?
Staff.
What are the ten characteristics of great operations team members?
What are the five signs team members are looking for new positions?
How can you assess staff performance of the operations and other teams?
Epilogue.
Appendix A: Sample Data Dictionary.
Appendix B: APRA Statement of Ethics.
Glossary.
Bibliography.
About the Author.
AFP Code of Ethical Principles and Standards.
A Donor Bill of Rights.
Index.