School Advancement Institute Files-Annual Giving 101

Annual Giving 101

Pdf Summary

The document "Annual Giving 101" by Amy Smucker, presented as part of the CASE SAI, outlines key elements and strategies involved in executing a successful annual giving program for schools. Annual Giving is highlighted as a critical element in supporting a school’s operating budget and facilitating overall school advancement by contributing to budget relief and providing unrestricted funds for immediate use.<br /><br />The program stresses the importance of engaging and soliciting support from various stakeholders such as alumni, parents, trustees, grandparents, faculty, staff, and other friends of the institution. The essence of the initiative is to enhance community participation, foster philanthropy, and identify potential major gift prospects, making it a cornerstone of institutional fundraising efforts.<br /><br />Annual Giving supports various school functions, including scholarships and financial aid, extracurricular programs, faculty and staff needs, and state-of-the-art facilities. It is an essential part of creating a culture of philanthropy and regularly securing contributions through methods such as direct mail, emails, phone, and social media.<br /><br />The document also offers insights into managing the annual giving cycle, suggesting specific activities throughout the year like gratitude campaigns in summer, leadership prioritization in fall, year-end appeals in December, and ongoing stewardship. Emphasizing the importance of a well-organized solicitation calendar and maintaining a culture of habitual giving are core to making the process engaging and successful.<br /><br />Additionally, the document addresses the challenges of annual giving, such as ensuring donor retention and engaging new donors, while making the process enjoyable and impactful to incentivize giving. Data tracking and metrics like participation rates and donor retention are critical for assessing the success of the annual giving program. Ultimately, having fun and making the process enjoyable for both the solicitors and the donors are considered key to sustaining enthusiasm and generosity among contributors.

Keywords

Annual Giving

School Fundraising

Philanthropy

Stakeholder Engagement

Unrestricted Funds

Donor Retention

Solicitation Strategies

Community Participation

Fundraising Cycle

Data Tracking