Institutional Readiness for Fundraising

This episode features a dynamic discussion between Cass and Niermann about organizational readiness for fundraising. The discussion also dips into some principles for major gift conversations and the capital campaign Niermann is currently engaged in.

Episode Highlights:

• Jason discusses the challenges faced in the advertising and insurance fields, which include the effects of budget trimming and staff layoffs. (1:30)
• Scott shares his experience with the administrative hurdles while managing a nonprofit fundraising department, emphasizing the importance of professionalism and ethical conduct in fundraising activities. (4:26)
• Scott outlines nine key factors to evaluate when considering fundraising readiness, these include crafting a clear case, setting specific goals, and defining a vision for the organization. (7:54)
• Scott discusses the obstacles they encountered when fundraising for a 130,000-square-foot facility, highlighting the necessity for patience, professionalism, and involvement from leadership volunteers. (15:09)
• Scott shares a story about an unexpected $100,000 donation, underlining the importance of preparedness for such surprise gifts. (16:35)
• Jason believes in the approach of letting the donor make the first decision, without making assumptions about their thinking. (17:12)
• Scott mentions the nine elements required to effectively manage fundraising. (18:41)

Key Quotes:

• “I've been fortunate where I'm at now that so many people love and know about the organization. And we serve a pretty large geographic area of 10 counties that people know about us and call us pretty regularly. ” - Scott Niermann
• “One of the things I do is I like to make the offer first, and I've had to learn over the last three or four years. Let them make the decision. Number one, it's their decision anyways, but you never know what they're really thinking versus what you're thinking.” - Jason Cass
• “Institutional readiness, and what you need in order to do fundraising and to manage fundraising. There are nine things: the case, the need, the goals, prospects, leadership, volunteers, public relations, time, staff, and budget.” - Scott Niermann

Resources Mentioned:

• The Fund Raising School at Indiana University: Principles and Techniques of Fundraising
• Checklists:
• Check Out Your Organization’s Fund-Raising Readiness and Learn the Secret Of Fund-Raising Success
• Organizational Readiness Checklist
• CFRE: International Statement of Ethical Principles in Fundraising
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy: Working With Vulnerable Elderly Donors: Tips for Fundraisers
• The Non-Profit Times: Sensitive Stewardship And Donors with Dementia
• Bloomerang: 7 Limiting Beliefs in Fundraisi