How to have an immediate impact in your new fundraising position

You have just been offered a job as a Director of Development and now what?

Well, over the past twenty years, I have had my share of jobs and have started some fundraising offices within nonprofits as part of my consulting practice.  As a result, I have gotten pretty good at figuring out what the first steps need to be when setting up your development office.

I am going to share with you some of these first steps on what to get started with immediately to make your first three months a success.  These first three months are a particular time of “newness” that you can use to your advantage.

Step #1 – Get established on your working location and equipment.  Ensure you set up your office area so that it will be conducive to your work style and habits and ensure that you have all of the hardware and software you need including training.

Step #2 – If you don’t have the required software, don’t skimp by using Excel.  Start right out by determining what your current and future needs may be and begin to research and present options for a donor database/CRM system that will meet those needs.  You cannot build a successful development program without this foundational component.  It is the “brains” behind your program.

Step #3 – Begin conducting a development assessment of the past fundraising efforts of the organization.

Step #4 – To carry out this assessment and to get acclimated to the new organization, use this time to meet with

• Key leadership staff
• Board of Directors
• Any past and/or current donors
• Prospective donors
• Volunteers
• Residents
• Other staff
• Anyone else deemed important to the organization

Step #5 – Use the data that you obtain during this development assessment process to begin to put together a series of recommendations based on best practices that you can put into place during your tenure.  Share these recommendations with key leadership and Board members to obtain approval and “buy-in.”

Step #6 – Begin to immerse yourself in the new organization’s programs and services.

Step #7 – Begin to craft a Case for Support if your organization does not already have one in place.

Step #8 – Determine the key projects that need attention in the immediate future and begin to manage them.  Get a handle on your development calendar including your annual fund and grant application and reporting deadlines.

Step #9 – Begin to put into place some of the recommendations that you outlined after conducting your development assessment whether they focus on major gifts, planned giving, individual giving, direct mail, etc.

These are some easy and straightforward ways that you can get up to speed quickly and efficiently in your new role and have an immediate impact on your organization’s fund development program.  Early wins=your success.

And, if you need help, let us coach you as you get acclimated to your new role!  Email me for your free half hour consultation. 

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