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| Fundraising benchmarks for first year
Posted by Ruth Terry   on 8/8/2008, 3:41 pm
Hello,
My organization is in a time of transition, and I need some advice. We are 14 years old, do not have a working database, the board does not give or participate in fundraising activities. When I started as PT Fund Developer, I was asked to apply for 110 grants and raise approximately 10x my salary in one year. Through academic (MPA) and personal experience, I knew this wasn't very typical.
After months of rejections (we have a generic proposal and no new programs), I wrote a report suggesting we diversify our funding strategies and form a development committe to lead these efforts.
This is where I need your help: The board agreed and I'm not entirely sure where to start. We will have a $200,000 deficit when a three-year grant runs out in two years, and it was suggested that we offset that with individual donations. And here come the questions....
1) What is a realistic goal for a first-year annual fund? We have about 300 names. We're pretty small, maybe $600,000 yr/op. budget. (I know the generally held cost-per-dollar raised and response rates, but I'm not sure these apply when you are starting from scratch.)
2) What is a realistic timeframe for cultivating first time donors into major donors?
3) What is realistic financial goal for a board giving campaign? Our board of 12 is comprised entirely of medical professionals.
4) Does anyone have fund development committee job descriptions/bylaws that they might be willing to share with me?
Can't wait to read your responses!!! Thanks 
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