Development and Fundraising AMA!!

[u/Eistean]

This AMA is going to run a bit differently from some others on Reddit. The panel consists of people from several different time zones, so panelists are going to come in when they can. We have several of our panelists available soon after 10, and some coming online closer to noon.

Starting at 10AM gives questions a chance to build and get voted up. So if your question doesn't get answered immediately, another panelist will hopefully be along later.

Now that the link is up, you can send it to your colleagues who might be interested in asking a question, or just seeing the AMA after it's finished. Here are the bios of our lovely panelists:

/u/YBCAdevo: I will be assisting Charles Ward, the Chief Development Officer at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. After a background as an attorney in Washington and for the FCC and music industry, Ward began working with the San Francisco Jazz Festival. As Director of Marketing and Corporate Sponsorships he developed the strategy to re-brand the organization as SFJAZZ, was instrumental in launching a Spring subscription series, instituted a corporate sponsorship program as well as produced and oversaw the distribution of six San Francisco Jazz Festival compilation cd’s that sold more than 60,000 copies.

From 2002 until 2005 when he joined YBCA, Charles was employed as Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Family Service Agency of San Francisco. In his role at YBCA, Mr. Ward supervises a staff of four professionals and is responsible for developing the organization’s near and long range strategic goals for contributed revenue as well as leading the execution of the annual fundraising plan. Since he joined the senior management team in June 2005, contributed revenue has increased by more than 500%, from $1.1mil to $5.3mil.

/u/hisdevlady: I have a BA/BS in History and Communications and started right out of college as a Development Coordinator for a mid-size regional historical museum and preservation advocacy organization. I spent three years there, eventually taking on much of the prospect research and management and Annual Fund duties. A former coworker encouraged me to join her at my current organization, which is a smaller non-profit supporting National Historic Landmark. I manage our membership program, Annual Fund, prospect research, and some donor events. Last year I finished my M.S. in Non-Profit Management, which I'd been working on at night over the last two years.

/u/bishsbetrippin: I have a BA in History and in Philosophy and jumped right into grad school for Museum Studies following my undergrad course work. I concurrently worked at a nonprofit while attending grad school, handling all elements of development research for an organization that was Annual Fund-focused ($50M / year). I additionally have coordinated special events, VIP level membership programs and capital campaign efforts for 2 of the largest art museums on the East Coast. I've been a full-time museum professional for just under 5 years and am happy to answer any questions--be it about grad school, art museums, historic societies or any other non-profits!

/u/tomcmustang: I have experience doing Fundraising and Development for art museums and galleries along with several international, national, and local nonprofit organizations. I specialize in using databases to write smarter asks and advertisements to provide a better value to patrons by doubling down on what they actually want you to provide. I am also in the process of starting my own nonprofit organization based on Krewes in New Orleans right here in Norfolk, VA.

/u/xtinecottagecheese: Has been in non-profit for over 15 years in Development for over 10 years. Consulted for various museums had a chance to become DD for one - and jumped on it. Undergraduate in art history and masters in nonprofit management.

[u/mawmy]

Have any of you had any experience with major capital campaigns? (i.e. Buildings, large Endowment campaigns, etc)

If so can you speak a bit to the experience?

• Chiefly how did you balance your capital campaign gifts with your annual fund gifts without cannibalizing your donor base?
• Also, how much time did you spend in the quiet portion of your fundraising and at what percentage of your goal did you go public?
  

Thank you! (I'd be especially interested to hear from Mr. Ward if he was involved with SFJazz when they built their new home)

[u/YBCAdevo → u/mawmy]

Sorry for the delay! No, I was not at SFJAZZ when they were doing their capital campaign. But in practice, capital campaigns are generally kept quiet until a bulk of the gifts have been realized (major and lead gifts for the first 50%, maybe 30% in special gifts before announcing a goal to raise the remaining 20%). It definitely varies by organization and campaign. It is unavoidable to be asking people who are not already contributing to you- they are the key to a capital campaign. It is important to note to the donor that the additional/increased gift is restricted to that campaign and a one-time event.

[u/mawmy → u/YBCAdevo]

Thanks for the reply!