Whether you’re new to private-independent schools or are taking on a position in the Development Office for the first time, it can be difficult to know where to start. Your job is to "sell" your school to people who have the means to support it.
To do this effectively, you must know your school inside and out, including its mission, its people, and how it transforms the lives of its graduates. You must be able to speak with conviction about your school. Your deep knowledge and passion speak volumes to potential donors.
Here are some hints to prepare you for this role with enthusiasm, to create positive change for your school.
Define Your Role
Establish your responsibilities with the School Head as soon as you settle in. Similarly, work with the School Head to define the Board’s role in development. While the Board's support is essential in the school's fundraising programs—Trustees must fulfill their gift-giving and gift-asking responsibilities—you need to be assured that Board members will not micromanage your programs.
Hire the Right People
Creating a team of qualified professionals can make the difference between meeting your goals and falling behind. If you’re able, look to hire a support team relatively quickly.
Development projects generate much paperwork and require precise and accurate record keeping. You can't do your job—relationship building—if you are stuck in the office, buried under administrative to-dos.
With your team in place, delegate smaller projects, such as a phonathon, so you can focus on cultivating planned giving and major gift prospects. Finally, make training and professional development a priority for you and your team.
Get to Know Your Constituents
Meeting with parents and faculty outside the context of fundraising helps you understand their needs. Learn about your past donors by studying the database. Ask your Trustees to introduce you to community members and open doors to potential major donors. Get to know the school's top donors to discover why they give. A better understanding of each group of people and their relationships to the school will help you succeed.
Learn the Job of Development One Area at a Time
Private-independent school development covers many different areas. You can't learn them all at once. Make a list and work your way through it. Master one area at a time and make it as strong as you can. Then tackle the next area. Don't be afraid to try out new ideas.
Network, Network, Network
Get to know your private-independent school peers through professional development. Grow your skills—and meet fellow Development Directors—in workshops, seminars, and webinars. Develop these contacts and you will always have someone with whom you can share ideas, ask for advice, or start a discussion.
An understanding of the components of an effective development operation—and how those components interface with your school’s strategic priorities—is critical to your success as a Development Director. Learn how to cultivate these skills at The New Development Director workshop during our 2018 Summer Institute. Discover how your development strategy fits into your school's overall advancement efforts, the role of volunteer programs and special events in promoting community and philanthropic giving, and how to develop the coming school year's custom action plan.
Additional ISM resources:
The Source for Advancement Vol. 16 No. 7 The First Step of Any Successful Fundraising Campaign
The Source for Advancement Vol. 12 No. 1 What Motivates Donors to Give?
Additional ISM resources for Gold members:
I&P Vol. 34 No. 15 Anchor Your Case for Support to Your Purpose and Outcome Statements
I&P Vol. 40 No. 2 Planning the Comprehensive Campaign: Guiding Principles for Success
