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You are on solid footing with CDS because we are there to help you every step of the way. We do not simply give you a list and say "good luck - we will check with you from time to time" as some other firms might. We are there to provide the direction a minimum of five days per week. If the need arises, we are going to be there seven days a week making sure the job gets done properly.
CDS' resident campaign direction is a full-service "turnkey" operation. Once our director arrives he/she will assume responsibility for the campaign. When you work with CDS, we do most everything for you or with you. Examples include helping you:
- Set a realistic and challenging financial goal;
- Design a campaign plan, organizational chart and a comprehensive timetable;
- Establish a campaign office on your premises which will have all the necessary equipment and materials to support your successful effort - the campaign "war room;"
- Define the role of your fundraising chairman, leaders, and committees and develop written job descriptions delineating the skills and qualities required for each position;
- Create and implement an integrated educational and public relations component for the campaign, including design of posters, banners and campaign newsletters;
- Recruit and train the very best candidates for each position;
- Develop and present your case in the most effective manner - what appeals to one prospect may be repugnant to another;
- Teach you, and make you at ease with, the most effective methods of asking for gifts;
- Write and edit campaign brochures, manuals, newsletters and pamphlets with an objective of ensuring that these materials are as effective as possible from a fundraising/development standpoint;
- Work closely with outside vendors, such as graphic designers and printers, to ensure campaign materials are timely, attractive and economical;
- Determine the most challenging, yet realistic, level of request for each potential donor;
- Determine which potential donors should be approached and in what order;
- Make some of the most important calls with you to ensure the gift is requested properly. This is very different from many firms that only advise you about what to say;
- Coordinate the schedules of campaign leaders with an eye towards making certain enough requests are being made;
- Prepare the materials for and lead all campaign meetings, minimizing the amount of time others need to spend preparing for these, yet making certain the necessary work gets done;
- Set up a billing system, anticipate the challenges of pledge collection and be prepared to handle such problems before they lead to other problems;
- Create an ongoing program of donor tracking, cultivation and development so that, after this campaign is over, the base of supporters continues to build and current donors are encouraged to give more often and more generously;
- Monitor campaign progress against the timetable. We sound the alarm if progress is insufficient to achieve success and we are there with suggested remedial action; Identify problems quickly and help develop solutions;
- Develop a comprehensive program for recognizing all donors, but especially major gift donors;
- By advising both CDS management and your management team of campaign progress and providing suggestions for improved performance;
- By being a constant source of information, direction, motivation and encouragement;
- By representing you as your professional fundraising consultant to all of your constituents - they tend to listen to the "expert" where they may discount the same advice from administrative leadership; and
- By serving as a rock solid captain - guiding you confidently to success. We are available all day, everyday to answer your questions and to help motivate your leadership.
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