Cross the Finish Line
There is no harder time in a campaign than the last six months – that time when you are striving to meet and exceed your goals and demonstrate that you have delivered on your promises. All this, while you are encouraging broad-based community support and media attention!
While this can be a rewarding time, it can also be stressful, if you don’t plan accordingly. Here are a few ideas for retaining your momentum as you cross the finish line:
Promote engaged leadership
When you get close to the end of a campaign, some leadership members may feel less engaged than they were earlier in the process. Be intentional about countering this tendency. Send gentle reminders via email or by phone to encourage their participation. Let them know it matters. Regularly thank your leadership team, just as you do your donors. Host small get togethers where they are able to relax and celebrate the campaign’s progress. Campaign leadership is vital to your success. Keep them motivated and engaged.
Use your timeline
There is no excitement or urgency in a campaign without a timeline. Use your time wisely. Every week, evaluate your strategies and maximize the excitement surrounding the end date. Continue to publicly celebrate gifts, but also use these public announcements as a way to encourage others to give “during this very small window of time.” Use every gift as an opportunity to create more urgency.
Multiply your efforts
As you are nearing the finish line, map out assignments for all of your leadership team members and create follow-up dates for each task. Give each member specific goals, always keeping the timeline in mind. Remain vigilant to ensure all members have an assignment and complete their tasks.
The last six months will go quickly. This is the time to double down on everything you have done right during the campaign. As the finish line comes in to view, rather than gearing down, press in and cross the finish line with your leadership team engaged, excited and ready to celebrate their success.
Kristy Burns, Vice President, kburns@kineticfundraising.com
To learn whAt Kinetic can do for your organization, contact us at
info@kineticfundraising.com
Kinetic’s Growing Philanthropy Tour
Contact info@kineticfundraising.com to schedule a Kinetic consultant to speak at your conference or organization
Kansas City
November 6-8, 2019
Missouri Community College Association
55th Annual Convention & Tradeshow
Major Gifts from Inspired, Motivated Donors Represent the Greatest Opportunity for Increased Funding to Community Colleges
Matthew J. Beem
Kansas City
November 14, 2019
2019 National Philanthropy Day
AFP Mid-America Chapter
Presenting Sponsor: Hartsook
Philadelphia
March 2-4, 2020
National School Foundation Association
National Conference 2020
Kinetic: Sponsorship
Baltimore, Md.
March 29-31, 2020
2020 AFP International Conference
From Reliable to Remarkable: Growing Regular Gifts
Karin Cox
Janell Johnson
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