GMC Development Today, in preparation for an activity center campaign at GMC, I wanted to talk the development efforts at GMC.

When most people thing of Development we all get different pictures in our mind of what that looks like. Most people think fundraising or event fundraising.

GMC Development Roles Enrollment & Tours School Communications Community Relations and PR Parents In Partnership (PIP) Fund Development Here is an overview of the task of the development office at GMC.

Where Money Comes from? So when looking at the fundraising hat and how we spend our time and energy we want to look at giving as a whole.

Greer Middle College Where money comes from? When we look at giving as a whole compared to GMC we are very similar. This data was from the first year of the Raise the Blaze Campaign. So in looking at another campaign and who our audience is, we would want to consider this as we create any marketing materials and naming opportunities.

Major Gift Statistics Most small organizations define a major gift as $1000 or more. The average gift takes 12 to 18 touches to build the relationship necessary to ask for a major gift. Colleges estimate 16 years to go from first gift to major gift for Alumni

How do we target prospective donors? The Two A’s Affluence Affinity When looking at prospective donors, people often point to others or to people in the community that have significant affluence but not necessarily affinity.

Common Development Misconceptions Myth: There is one donor “out there” that will solve all our organizations funding needs. Feasibility study example Most individuals that have or will make a major gift have already made smaller contributions to your organizations previously. Myth: There are so many grants out there. We just need to apply for as many as possible! Spray and pray method Chances of success Cold Ask: 1:20 W/ Connection 1:4 Source Foundation Center

Where should we focus our time and energy? Historically, donations from individuals account for over two-thirds of all donations. If you add in gifts from bequests, then the category accounts for nearly 80% of all giving. In other words, the donating public, not big foundations or corporations, is responsible for the vast majority of annual donations. -Source Charity Navigator

Donation by Activity Activity 2016/2017 Raise the Blaze/Major Gifts 2017/2018 Projections Donation by Activity Activity 2016/2017 Raise the Blaze/Major Gifts $75,000 Spirit Week $42,000 Annual Fund/Annual Giving $7,500 Grants $9,000 Charter Barter $6,000 Athletic Sponsorships Misc. $4,000   150,000 When I came to GMC, there was no data to track or look at historic donors. Since then we have New Staff Donor Management Systems Giving Policies Donor Recognition Policies New- Online giving platform Annual Fund Raise the Blaze Campaign In addition to fund development we also have parents log over 13,000 hours a year serving GMC and thousand of dollars for in-kind donations for our staff and classrooms through charter barter. Compaired to the overall budget this is small but our goal is to fill in the gaps needed through funds, volunteers, and in kind donations and connections.

Board Role Serve on the committee Approve Activity Center subcommittee 100% Board Giving pledge prior to April 24 Kickoff meeting We cannot ask of others what we will not do ourselves Make a pledge/gift that is significant to you Next Meeting Review and Finalize Activity Center Naming Opportunities