EXTENSION FUNDRAISING SESSION FOR VOLUNTEERS AND STAFF November 15, 2012

Draft Agenda 1.End of Year Giving 2.How to fill your donor pipeline 3.A stewardship story 4.Sessions for 2013

What’s on your mind? What would you like to learn from this session today? I.E. - Fundraising tools, processes, rules of the road, expectations, best practices, how to get started, how to make an ask, how to finesse a relationship…….etc.

1. End of Year Giving Most charitable giving in the US occurs in the last quarter of the calendar year. Some donors are motivated by tax incentives There are some things to keep in mind as we accept donations that donors wish to receive tax credit in calendar year 2012.

1. End of Year Giving For end-of-year tax gifts, credit card gifts must be charged no later than December 31 st. Credit cards charged after December 31 st will be see by the IRS as a 2013 gift. All gifts by check, sent via the postal service must be postmarked no later than December 31 st. We should be keeping the envelope for backup.

1. End of Year Giving Gift acknowledgements (receipts) must list a 2012 date of gift for donors to receive tax credit for that year. Gift acknowledgements should be sent to donors prior to January 31, 2013 for gifts received in Gifts of stock can take 6 weeks to transfer, so if you have a donor interested in this, please connect them to Ag Sci Development ASAP.

1. End of Year Giving If you or a donor have any questions about end of year giving, you may contact the Ag Sci Development office at If a question arises while University Park is closed for winter break, you may contact me directly at

2. How to fill your donor pipeline Local Culture of Philanthropy – Are donors recognized for their giving? – How are stories of giving shared in communications? – Are giving opportunities presented in communications? Getting people started – Are you asking for gifts? If so, how? Annual appeals? Fundraising events?

2. How to fill your donor pipeline Annual Giving – Purpose is to identify individuals who have An interest in your program Have the financial wherewithal to make a gift Are philanthropic – Not solely to make money (break even at least) – 1% reply rate is average and 5% is excellent. 500 mailers may only result in 5 to 25 gifts – What do we do with our new donors?

2. How to fill your donor pipeline Fundraising Events – Designed to make money through leveraging volunteer and staff time – Volunteer and staff time are quite valuable, so make sure it is worth it – Side effect is building connection to programs They made a gift…..now what? – Next Session

3. A stewardship story Donor had a stroke within a week of a first time large gift Extension and development staff sent cards. District Director stayed in contact through donor family Spent gift on a very inspiring project within a couple months District Director ed a follow up….

3. from District Director “I wanted to update you on a few things that have been made possible by your donation to the 4-H program. We will be sending two young people to National 4-H Congress in a few weeks. This was made possible by your donation. These two will be flying to Atlanta GA to participate in Congress which focuses on leadership skills. We selected our 2 outstanding 4-H members. Talking to both of them, they are really excited about making the trip, meeting other 4-H youth from around the country and learning more about leadership and refining their leadership skills. I’m sure they will be excited to share their experience when they return. And I know they both greatly appreciate the opportunity they have been given to attend this conference. We also are working on sending kids to a State Leadership Conference and Citizenship conferences later in the winter. I will keep you posted as those materialize. I will be in touch as others are given extraordinary opportunities thanks to your donation to the 4-H program. I hope you continue to feel well. Feel free to contact me if you have questions about what we are doing with your donation.”

3. Donor Response That is exactly what I had in mind. I was only able to attend National 4-H Congress because (the 4-H agent) loaned me enough money to do it and I paid her back from my job in the local shoe store. She also loaned me the office camera and the next year developed a photography 4-H project!! My recovery has been amazing. Drove…today to get car serviced and inspected. Sure feels good to be able to drive again. Thanks for the update.

4. Mark your calendars for 2013 Sessions are held every six weeks on Thursdays from 8am to 9:30am January 31, 2013 March 14, 2013 April 25, 2013 June 6, 2013 July 18, 2013 August 29, 2013 October 10, 2013 November 21, 2013

Volunteer and Staff Resources For the latest fundraising materials (session recordings, PowerPoint presentations, fundraising guidelines, fundraising forms, volunteer job descriptions, etc.) visit:

Questions?????? Eric McGinnis