It all started in Vancouver… “Join me in imagining our country as it could be… a smart and...

It all started in Vancouver…

“Join me in imagining our country as it could be… a smart and caring nation, where all Canadians can succeed, contribute, and develop their talents to their fullest potential.”

communityfoundations.ca

Smart & Caring Communities

1. Serve every community by ensuring every community has access to a community foundation

2. Connect the country through common Smart & Caring Community Funds

Governor General’s call to build a ‘smart & caring nation’


Connect the country

By establishing Smart & Caring Community Funds from coast to coast


What is ‘Smart & Caring’

Smart… Caring…Innovation Inclusive

Knowledge Looking out for each other

Forward-looking Creating opportunity

Creative Nurturing

Open to possibilities Connected

Doing things better Belonging

Resilient Taking care of what’s important to us

Sustainable

Nimble



Developing Your Smart and Caring Community Fund Strategy


Defining Resource Development

It’s More than Dollars

• Fund development is at the heart of our work – we build legacies

• Holding a broader view of “resources” and long-term development is critical

• We are conduits of a community vision and dream – resource development is a means to an end



Factors for Success• Exhibit strategic thinking• Reflect careful planning and organization • Owned and developed locally - utilizing local strengths,

capacities and resources• Engage community members directly - sense of ownership• Effective use of volunteers/leaders and use of community

resources and networks – champions are key to success!• Focus on the principle of leveraging (of people, ideas, and

networks, etc.)



Factors for Success• Look at long-term, lasting relationships with donors and supporters –

cultivation and stewardship!• Increase awareness of your communities’ issues – superlative

communications!• Provide a physical focal point for generating new ideas and skills and

building community• Visionary, creative and fun• Build organizational skills and capacity - initiatives inherently build

resources and capability so you feel operationally rich• Lead with passion, integrity and excellence• Ultimately mobilize community members and stakeholders to make

legacy gifts and support funds towards your vision


Our Context and Reality

Increased Complexity and Challenges• Roles of government, business, community associations charities and

non-profits are all in flux with a dramatic impact on local communities.

• Competition for philanthropic support has never been fiercer.

• Donor fatigue, especially in smaller community settings is very real.

• Local organizations face greater demand for their programming - with less resources and funding; community foundations have a critical and important role to play in this climate.



Increased Complexity and Challenges• Community donors and corporations are much more deliberate,

strategic and thoughtful about how they support non-profits, charities and foundations.

• Donors are more sophisticated and have greater expectations; they measure the impact of their investments (outcomes).

• Increasingly complex challenges transcend the ability of any sector to work alone - collaboration is essential. This is a strength.



Factors for Success• Exhibit strategic thinking• Reflect careful planning and organization • Owned and developed locally - utilizing local strengths,

capacities and resources• Engage community members directly - sense of ownership• Effective use of volunteers/leaders and use of community

resources and networks – champions are key to success!• Focus on the principle of leveraging (of people, ideas, and

networks, etc.)



Increased Complexity and Challenges• Community foundations have a unique role to play in building

endowments and legacies for communities

• This climate of change presents challenges and also opportunities.

• We need to build our entrepreneurial muscle to identify exciting possibilities. This includes monitoring emerging trends/best practices and keeping our eyes open.

SMART & CARING COMMUNITIES provides a unique opportunity.


Positioning Your Smart & Caring Vision

1. A strategic and issues-oriented response

In action:• Victoria Foundation selected physical literacy as it ties to local and

national Vital Signs® reports• Perth & District Community Foundation selected child and youth

mental health due to high teen and adolescent suicide• The Community Foundation of Mississauga – with a focus on

children and youth for $1 million



2. A capacity-building and infrastructure response

In action • South Okanagan is building financial and organizational

infrastructure in some of their smaller communities“Solutions to help friends and neighbours…developing a volunteer base in every community…to build models for supporting sustainable local initiatives from within…”

• Stratford & Perth Community Foundation is launching 6 SMART & CARING COMMUNITIES Fund across 6 catchment areas



3. To build the brand for a new community foundation and community fund

In action:• Community Foundation of Halton North: • Newly founded community foundation• Embracing SMART & CARING COMMUNITIES and using its

brand • Aim to distribute $10,000 in 2016 , with $300,000 raised by

2015


Key Elements of a Great CampaignPre-Campaign Planning• Organizational readiness and feasibility process

Preparing Your Organization• Overall set up, sourcing prospects and acquiring leadership

Building Campaign Momentum - Action!• Case for support, launch, solicitation, monitoring and follow-up

Evaluation• Measuring metrics, impact and outcomes and ensuring strategies

for continual improvement plus ongoing stewardship activities


Key Elements of a Great Campaign

Pre-Campaign Planning:Internal Readiness - Organizational Assessment • A process for identifying campaign needs along with a compelling case

for support (focus on mission, vision and outcomes• A clearly defined process for how endowment(s) will be used • Image, reputation and credibility - well known and respected • Quality grants, partnerships, programs, services, and outcomes - with a

history of demonstrated achievement• Quality financial structures that support the campaign• Commitment from Board, community champions, staff, volunteers,

supporters and the community you serve



Pre-Campaign Planning - Objectively identify and evaluate:

• Inhibitors: other financial demands, time and availability of staff, strength of volunteer base, etc.

• Resources required: staff and volunteers• Roles and responsibilities: committee structure, leadership, staff,

board, etc.• Marketing & communications strategy • A detailed budget (with projected expenses and cost per dollar) • Related policies connected to fund development (named,

undesignated, minimums, etc.) • A timetable that is achievable and aligned to your broader needs and

organizational realities



Pre-Campaign Planning: Internal Readiness

• Commitment to investing resources with an understanding of the intensity of the process

• Access to community leaders to open doors for support – community champions and advisors are key

• A donor base of support (potential prospects - with capacity to give)• Expertise and know-how (in-house and/or external consultants)• A clear structure to support the work • Feasibility work to assess the campaign concept and goal(s)


Key Elements of a Great CampaignCampaign Preparation - Adequate time and energy to establish:• A plan with targeted goals that maximizes your strengths, focuses on

priorities, targets key markets, provides a timetable of strategies/tactics and provides a budget - against the plan for developing and allocating the fund

• A campaign theme, materials and promotions (proposals, letters, pledge forms, website, social media, marketing strategies, etc.)

• A thoughtful, well-timed and focused communications and PR effort• Efficient administrative systems: tax receipt issuance and thank you letters,

appraisals for non-cash gifts, accounts receivable and financial structures, fund statements and accounts, follow-up on annual pledges, etc.

• A database and an information management system• Donor agreements, as appropriate• A clearly defined reporting and accountability process



Building Campaign Momentum: Action, Action, Action!

• Mobilize your Fund Development/Campaign Committee• Follow your detailed action plan and timetable to build momentum• Continually compile and approach prospect lists• Secure leadership gifts - from key leaders, Board, and volunteers• Identify/review/rate/assign prospects for face-to-face meetings • Prepare appeals, target markets and points of influence, e.g.

professional advisors, networks, etc. • Ensure ongoing solicitation and identification/recruitment of additional

task team members, as required• Develop and implement PR/media strategies



Building Campaign Momentum: Action, Action, Action!

• Ongoing cultivation and appeals: knock, knock, knock on doors!• Implement ongoing communication strategies with Campaign Team

(monthly Board/team reports, regular updates to all constituents, newsletter, ongoing exploration of media opportunities, campaign launch, celebration event(s) and final reports)

• Implement accounting and evaluation procedures to allow for measurement of outputs and impact

• Celebrate successes and evaluate progress



The Overall Steps for Donor Cultivation and Solicitation

Gaining Support for your Smart & Caring Community Initiative

1. Initial Preparation and Planning 2. Research and Strategy Development3. Developing Relationships with Donors/Investors4. Developing a Compelling Case for Support 5. Making the Ask6. Follow-up and Cultivation/Stewardship



Monitoring and Follow Up

• Follow-up on calls and appeals • Host ongoing report meetings with volunteers and share key

successes• Measure progress against set goals, deadlines and desired results

• Provide verbal and written reports• Receipt all donations and fulfill all recognition and donor

acknowledgement• Collect on all pledges - involve your top leadership in pledge

redemption, as needed



• Keep excellent files of all communication and findings including updating campaign reports and records

• Thank people for meeting with you and helping you to move the funding opportunity forward

• Send a thank you letter and receipt promptly• Submit reports regularly to donors on campaign status and impact

of donation

Monitoring and Follow-up



Financial Returns (on Finances Invested) Goal met; % of goal met Gross and net income and cost per dollar for campaign Average gift, # of new donors, etc. Fulfillment rates on pledges Increased support for operations

Non-financial returns on $’s and time invested Public relations and increased exposure Increased donor and supporter base New contacts and new volunteers Proactive fundraising culture with enhanced

skills/expertise Gifts-in-kind/gifts-of-service Other spin off effects, e.g. new programs, etc.

Evaluation - Did the campaign achieve its goals?



• the plan• goals - monetary/non-monetary• timetable• volunteers' training sessions• materials• meetings• public relation and

communications

• records• policies and procedures• volunteers and leadership• success of types of solicitations• revenue by donor category• pledge fulfillment rates

Evaluation - Involve all stakeholders and assess:


Strategies for Building Board and Community Leadership and Ownership for Fund Development

Board Engagement

• Recruit and develop directors with clear expectations around fund development and personal giving

• Engage them strategically in planning and case for support development

• Provide fund development training and “how to make a pitch”

• Utilize individual directors’ unique skills and assets and then celebrate their success individually and collectively

• Undertake a networking exercise to develop and define points of influence in the community and then animate it


We’re here to support you!

Resources

National Ad Campaign

• Smart & Caring made it happen!

• Phase one: Introduce CFs to Canadians

• Connect us with a passion for community

• Campaign launched in January 2014


Smart & Caring Communities Toolkit


Connecting your CF with Smart & Caring Communities


• We can help coordinate someone to come speak to your Board

• We can match you with another CF already engaged in Smart & Caring Communities

For more information visit www.smartandcaring.ca


http://www.smartandcaring.ca/

It all started in Vancouver… “Join me in imagining our country as it could be… a smart and...

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