Fundraising is an organic process. You don’t reinvent the wheel around the core activities of fundraising. You will find more success once you understand that there is a fundraising wheel and the 12-Step Fundraising program is what the wheel looks like. What is needed in managing this process is vigilance. ==== A vigilant fundraiser will look for opportunities within the 12 steps that allow you to set your organization apart from all the others who do what you do. There is logic to what we do. I want to help fundraisers be more logical in their approach to revenue development. Being vigilant means using all the steps; executing 7 steps out of 12 isn’t going to cut it. Recognize cause and effect. If your donations are declining, it means you aren’t being vigilant.

A Case for Support is essentially the rationale for supporting you based on both the factual background and history of your organization and on those beneficial, worthwhile services or solutions you provide to the community you serve every day.

When do you need a Case for Support? All the time—if you are a not-for-profit organization! Consider it a business plan for donors. You want to show those investors your organization is a worthy investment.

A well-written case will encourage people to ask you even more questions, as they will be eager to learn more about your organization and the wonderful things it does. Of course, the main question you always want them to ask is, “How can I help?”

Isn’t that, after all, the goal of the Case for Support? In the end, a case for support is a call to action!

A vigilant fundraiser understands that resource development is a process and as such is willing to take the time to apply rigour, measurement and structure to develop a fundraising strategy.

I’ve always thought that Jim Watson said it best in his advice to “ I’ve always thought that Jim Watson said it best in his advice to “...plan your work and work your plan.” Successful fundraising doesn’t just happen.

Like it or not, the public’s perception of fundraising is very much tied to events. In the non-profit world, a special event is the Trojan horse of fundraising. It helps to build awareness and at the same time gets you involved in other things. ==== This is one reason special events hold the position of Step 3 in the 12 Step Fundraising plan; the other reason is that the successful execution of a fundraising event is tied to many elements of being a vigilant fundraiser.

Special events require you to be strategic. First, they should be considered as part of an organization’s overall fundraising strategy. Whether you decide to host a special event really depends on your particular organization: its mission, values, vision and culture. Given your organization’s purpose and reason for being, is hosting special events imperative to raise funds? Or would an event be a novelty, something that your organization has yet to attempt but is now considering? Only you can decide what is appropriate for your organization.

The donor-organization relationship does not end with a charitable gift – rather it begins at that point.

Understanding stewardship and how to build and sustain bonds with donors is integral to philanthropy. The relationships that you cultivate can be enhanced and sustained over time to the benefit of your mission and the well-being of all concerned – including your donors.

The reflex of the charity is to say “yes” to availability, not assess for ability. As a result, your organization may have a board that is not going to be much help with your fundraising efforts.

The vigilant fundraiser knows not to accept this as status quo. Instead, consider forming a fundraising or development committee that may include some board members but can also be sourced from a bigger network of contacts.