May 2018

A Scout is Courteous

Courteous: polite, respectful, showing consideration

From a nonprofit’s first greeting with Kinetic’s Support Services to the capstone gift of an Integrated Fundraising Campaign™, showing consideration is what we do. “Hartsook’s long history with the Boy Scouts of America persuaded even our most cautious board members to retain the firm as professional counsel. Their onsite visits and weekly phone calls engendered confidence in our campaign committee. With Kinetic’s involvement, we never lacked support.” Jason Barlow, Hudson Valley Council, Campaign Co-Chair

CONTACT KINETIC NOW: Win an Osprey Hiking Backpack at the Annual Meeting in Dallas

Stop by Booth 339 and meet with Kinetic at the 2018 National Annual Meeting to be held at the Sheraton in Dallas, May 23-25. Sign up for your personalized, one-on-one consultation with Kinetic Senior Vice President Ross Pfannenstiel or Senior Vice President Jason Wood, and enter to win an Osprey Atmos 65 hiking backpack. Also enter to win a free board training for your council, including copies of Kinetic Senior Executive Vice President Karin Cox’s book for all your board members: Fundraising Leadership: The Essential Guide for Nonprofit Board Members Who Want to Make a Lasting Difference. Contact us now to schedule an appointment.

BSA Legacy Giving Makes a Lasting Impression

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) represents one of the greatest opportunities for donors to make a positive and profound difference in the next generation. Does your council have a plan for educating potential donors on the value of legacy gifts? The following are just some options donors may have available:

• Living Trusts
• Family Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Annuity Trusts
• Charitable Remainder Unitrusts
• Pooled Income Funds
• Charitable Lead Trusts
• Life Insurance Gifts
• Charitable Bequests and Beneficiary Designations
• Gifts by Will
• Charitable Gift Annuity

Serving BSA Councils from Coast to Coast and Around the World

Kinetic has assisted Boy Scouts of America councils from coast to coast and in Europe, including the following councils:

Ask Kinetic!

Do you have a tough fundraising question?
Send your questions to askhartsook@kineticfundraising.com and we will respond by email. Your question may be featured in a future eHartsook on Scouting.

QUESTION: Is there a rule-of-thumb on the costs associated with acquiring new donors? How do we know if we’re spending enough or too much on fundraising?

Before we discuss acquiring new donors, it’s important to note that donor acquisition will often cost 10 to 20 times more than renewing your existing donors. Keep that in mind as you budget for various fundraising events and activities. One of the biggest reasons securing new donors is so much more expensive than renewing gifts is because existing donors already feel invested in the mission by way of their previous gift. When it comes to investing your fundraising dollars to attract new donors, it is generally accepted that a small organization or council could expect to spend up to 30 cents for each dollar raised from the annual donor renewal process using direct mail and personal solicitation techniques. Finally, be sure to diversify your organization’s income streams: grants, gifts from foundations, major gift donors, regular giving from smaller gifts; and don’t rely heavily on any one area of support.

Book Deal of the Month

Fundraising Leadership: The Essential Guide for Nonprofit Board Members Who Want to Make a Lasting Difference (ASR Media) – an exciting book by Karin L. Cox – is the definitive source for empowering board members to become pro-active fundraising leaders. Go here for a special price of $10 (plus shipping and handling).

Get to Know the Kinetic Team

Hartsook was engaged to assist our council in current and long-term fundraising. Ross Pfannenstiel was our Hartsook resident council. With his help, we were able to raise more money than we anticipated raising on our own for our Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner.

He emphasized the importance of thinking long-term and did an excellent job of advising us regarding organizational changes we could make which, if implemented, could improve our fundraising efforts. One of the greatest contributions was in organizing our new development committees. Ross brought a sincere perspective as a former BSA council executive; a working knowledge of permissible BSA activities; and a positive attitude.

Hartsook brings a culture change for most councils on development. The Kinetic team can act as the maestro, but it is still the local council that must actively participate in the fundraising process.

Dave Dennis, Board Member
Pine Burr Area Council

Strategies for Success: Never Underestimate the Importance of Thanking Donors

Everyone enjoys feeling appreciated, including donors. Effective fundraisers understand the importance of saying “thank you” and expressing sincere appreciation in a variety of ways. Donors who feel appreciated for their charitable nature are more likely to continue their support and increase their donations. Go here to read more.

Kinetic’s Growing Philanthropy Tour

Kinetic speakers are members of the Kinetic team of professional fundraising consultants who have, in their collective careers, raised more than $231 billion in their 300-plus years of experience. Go here to view upcoming Growing Philanthropy Tour presentations. Go here to view a sample of past presentations. To schedule a Kinetic consultant to speak at your conference or organization, email Tammy at info@kineticfundraising.com.