Individual donor relationship development

GOALS

Develop closer relationships with current supporters by implementing stewardship opportunities

appropriate to each stakeholder.

Implement tactics to inform, interest, and involve potential donors

Newsletters or “Behind the Scenes” emails

Voice of Mendelssohn quarterly newsletter gives an in-depth, behind the scenes look at artistic

excellence, education and outreach programs, performances (3 TMC strategic priorities)

Distributed to our closest circle of connections (choristers, board, staff, Legacy Circle, Individual

donors of $50+, active alumni, subscribers, corporate and foundation donors, past board

members

Donor rewards fulfillment

Community-building events

new office open house (Sept. 25)

choristers, active alumni, board and active past board, relevant funders and community

associates

Britten at 100 open dress rehearsal (Nov. 19)

Alumni, Legacy Circle, Singsation conductors, Board, select choristers

Pre-concert dinner (March 26)

Alumni, subscribers, select Board

Free admission to Singsation Saturdays (5 over the season)

Alumni, current TMC choristers

Donor rewards fulfillment events

Free admission to Singsation Saturdays (5 over the season)

Donors at the Friend Level ($120+)

Alumni, current TMC choristers

Koerner Hall tour, followed by attendance at dress rehearsal (March 25)

Donors at the Patron Level ($240+)

Access to Koerner Hall members lounge (March 26)

Mendelssohn Circle ($1000 +)

Open rehearsal event (June 19)

Mendelssohn Circle ($1000 +)

Mendelssohn Circle cultivation event

Other special events

Crowning Glory fundraising gala (Oct. 25)

Past special event attendees, corporate guests, TMC supporters, board, choristers

Post concert VIP reception (Dec. 11)

VIP ticket holders, corporate, foundation, government supporters, Board

Maestro’s spring barbeque (date tbc)

Donors of $500+ to Conductor’s Challenge campaign

Maestro’s Albany Club dinner (date tbc)

Donors of $1650+ to Conductor’s Challenge campaign

Personal phone calls and/or handwritten thank you notes

Handwritten notes or phone calls from the Executive Director are being made when we are

made aware of significant milestones in the lives of current TMC choristers, alumni, volunteers,

Board and staff

Executive Director is communicating a personal thank you to all donors to the Conductor’s

Challenge

o Less than $500 – personal email from Cynthia

o $500 or more – personal phone call from Cynthia

o $1000 or more – personal note from Noel on thank you letter

o $1650 or more – personal phone call from Michael Fricker

Mid-season and End-of-Season reports

Distributed in February and September

GOALS

Identify and strengthen relationships with potential Major Gift donors.

Identify and strengthen relationships with potential Legacy Circle members.

Major gift donors

Major gift donors are considered to be those with the capacity to make annual personal

donations to the TMC in excess of $1,000 (not including special events)

52 potential major gift donors were identified using the following criteria

o Total gifts over donor’s history with TMC

o Largest gift

o Average gift amount

o Whether donor is a Legacy Circle member

o How many years donor has been associated with TMC

Need to continue fleshing out notes on each donor, determine who to approach

Cynthia to begin connecting with each potential on a regular basis, through phone calls or

personal one-on-one meetings as appropriate

o Determine whether using Noel for this purpose would be effective or not

Legacy Circle members

Steward committed Legacy Circle members through community building events each season

(TMC open house, Britten at 100 open dress rehearsal)

Cynthia to personally reach out to Legacy Circle members who “intend to commit” and move

them forward to committed status. Phone call or personal meeting.

Develop strategy to remind those who “expressed interest” of the Legacy Circle program.

Perhaps direct mail awareness, followed by phone call by TMC volunteer (?)