Blackbaud K-12 User Conference Breakout Session Increasing Your School’s Fundraising by 20% or More - Marc A Pitman and Leanne Vitanzo

1. HOW TO INCREASE YOUR
SCHOOL’S FUNDRAISING
BY 20% OR MORE
A Step-by-Step Plan

2. Chapter 1: Develop a Case for Support to Motivate Donors
Chapter 2: Identify Potential Donors and a Plan to Reach Them
Chapter 3: Make Asks, and Cash Checks
Chapter 4: Supercharge Your Board or Fundraising Committee
Chapter 5: Maximize Additional Giving Opportunities for Your Donors
Chapter 6: Steward Your School’s Donors for Upgrades and Referrals
Chapter 7: Eight Great Ways to Communicate with Your School’s Donors
A Look at the eBook

4. THINK BIG ABOUT YOUR
SCHOOL’S FUNDRAISING.

6. BUILDING A CASE FOR SUPPORT
A case for support—sometimes called a case
statement—is one of the most important
documents in your school’s fundraising
arsenal. It’s the basis for all of your donor
communications and asks, and it provides a
valuable resource to everyone who is
soliciting donations on your behalf.

7. WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR
CASE STATEMENT
❏ Emotional opening
❏ History of the school
❏ Explanation of programs
❏ Outcomes and proof of impact
❏ Financial needs
❏ Means of support
WHY DOES YOUR SCHOOL EXIST?
WHY SHOULD PEOPLE CARE?
WHAT IS YOUR BIG, BOLD VISION FOR THE FUTURE?

9. START THE CONVERSATION
WITH A CASE STATEMENT
BRAINSTORM.
Our school is important to the community because…

11. FOLLOW THESE RULES TO FIND
GOOD PROSPECTS FOR YOUR SCHOOLS.
1. People give based on relationships.
2. Strong-arm fundraising doesn’t work.
3. Your school’s mission matters to prospective donors.
4. Prospecting is a deliberate process.
5. The more you ship, the more you will receive.

14. TAKE THE FEAR OUT OF
FUNDRAISING ASKS.
Not only will practicing asks help you overcome the
anxiety that naturally comes from making asks, but it
will also make you a better fundraiser.

15. KNOW THESE ASK PRINCIPLES
1. People don’t like to be sold.
2. People want to give to your school…really!
3. People don’t give unless they are asked.
4. People want to understand where their money is going.
5. People want to know that they are making a difference.
6. People give based on relationships.

16. PLAN THE ASK.
You shouldn’t be nervous about making big
fundraising asks for your school.

19. FIND STRONG CANDIDATES
FOR YOUR SCHOOL’S
BOARD OR FUNDRAISING
COMMITTEE.

20. START WITH AN
ORGANIZED
BOARD-GIVING CAMPAIGN.

21. RUN YOUR OWN BOARD-
GIVING CAMPAIGN.

25. HOLD BETTER & MORE
PROFITABLE FUNDRAISING
EVENTS FOR YOUR SCHOOL.
Why do fundraising events work?

26. FOCUS ON
SPONSORSHIPS.
Every event has room for sponsors, no matter
how low key or low dollar.

27. ADD OTHER REVENUE
STREAMS TO YOUR EVENT.
Live or Silent Auctions, Raffles, Sell-a-Service Tables,
Food Sales and Carnival Games

28. AFTER THE BIG DAY,
FOLLOW-UP MATTERS.

29. ONLINE FUNDRAISING
MATTERS.
The web is a great place to make asks.

30. SUPERCHARGE
YOUR WEBSITE
FOR FUNDRAISING.
Make sure that your website is optimized and ready to
serve as part of your online fundraising funnel.

31. SUPERCHARGE YOUR
EMAIL FUNDRAISING.
Don’t miss out on a big source
of potential income for your school.

32. SUPERCHARGE YOUR
SOCIAL NETWORK
FUNDRAISING.
Schools can have a presence, engage and
cultivate prospects, and make asks.

35. KNOW THE SEVEN
ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES
OF DONOR STEWARDSHIP.

37. KNOW WHERE TO COMMUNICATE
1. Email Newsletters
2. Snail Mail Newsletters, Letters, and Magazines
3. Your Website
4. Social Media
5. Cultivation Events
6. Public Relations (PR)
7. Phone Calls
8. In-Person Visits

39. DOWNLOAD THE EBOOK
k12.blackbaud.com/fundraisingeBook
ATTEND ANOTHER ONLINE EVENT
k12.blackbaud.com/k12events
CONNECT WITH JOE
www.thefundraisingauthority.com

40. Download the Blackbaud K-12 UC15
Mobile App & Engage With Us!
#BBK12UC
Go to your app store, on any
mobile device, and look for:
Blackbaud K-12 UC15
- Agenda
- Speakers
- Attendees
- Sponsors
- Session Surveys
and more!
Conference resources just
for you!