Simple Development Systems FAQ

FAQ

Q What is the time commitment and schedule for the program?

The commitment really depends on how committed you are. While I have streamlined the process to make it quick and and easy to implement — and suspect it will actually free up time by short-cutting some of the tasks you already do — I think mentally blocking out a couple of hours (for coaching calls, getting up to speed, reading materials etc.) per week is realistic.

The actual schedule works out like so:
Every week you’ll receive an email first thing Monday morning outlining the week’s activities.  On Wednesdays of weeks one and two you’ll be receiving either course materials or attending a webinar or teleseminar.  Count on using week three to complete your “homework” assignment.  I’ll be available at any time for questions via email.

Q Can other members of an organization participate?

YES! As smart folk over at The Agitator recently noted  “… Executive Directors, CEOs, Development Committees of Boards, and Board members … are woefully ignorant of today’s fundraising realities.”  I’m encouraging you to include more than one individual in this process.

Q What is the breakdown of the course? (Please note exact topics and order presented is subject to change)

Module One

Your Donor Stewardship and Communications System – the Secret to Lifelong Donors

There’s been a lot of lip service lately to the notion that it makes more sense to hang onto the donors you already have.  The old “sending out ten donations to ten organizations” mystery shopping test that Mal Warwick initiated years ago has reappeared.

Smart marketers have always known the secrets to good “customer” (read donor) service and now you will too.

How do you thank your donors?  Is it with the standard thank you letter sent out by every other nonprofit?  You know, the kind the donor tosses in with their tax receipt before they finish reading?

Module One will provide you with the tools to systematize your donor stewardship and communications.  You’ll never take saying “thank you” for granted again.

Week One: Creating your donor stewardship system.  You’ll receive an advance copy of my new program, Create Your Organization’s Stewardship System.
Week Two: How to Create Money-Making Donor Newsletters – every time.
Week Three: Say Thank You Like You Mean It – assignment
Week Four: Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Module Two

Social Media Blitz

You can’t afford to be “too busy” for social media.  After all, just like email and public relations, having a solid social media strategy in place actually levels the playing field for small nonprofits.  How?  Because they’re free/low cost methods of communicating and spreading the word about the good your organization does.  When you’ve got too much on your plate, though, it’s easy to lose sight of the benefits of social media or – even worse – get caught up in it.  We’ll teach you how to strategize your social media and create time-saving systems for implementing it.

Week One: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Social Media for Nonprofit (but were afraid to ask)
Week Two: Developing your social media strategy
Week Three: Social Media Complete – in One Hour a Day.  How to coordinate Facebook, Youtube, Twitter.  Assignment
Week Four: Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Module Three

Maximizing Individual Giving, Monthly Giving, Direct Mail & More
Learn the secrets to “segmenting, segmenting and then segmenting some more,” how to write truly donor-centric copy and why monthly giving is your best bet at lifetime donors.

Week One: Direct Mail Will Never Die – Yes, You Can Do It On a Shoestring Budget

Week Two:  An Introduction to Monthly Giving

Week Three: Assignment

Week Four: Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Module Four

Building Your Organization’s Grant System

Having a strong foundation grants system is key to your organization’s sustainable funding.  “But how do we create relationships with foundation funders?” is a frequent question – and why my system came into being.  In my seven years working in programming for a large family foundation I learned the real secrets to creating relationships with foundation funders – now you will too.

Week One: You’ll be the first to receive full access to the newly revised Grants System, complete with Five Days to Foundation Grants and the new Grants Toolkit featuring samples of funded grant proposals, tracking forms and more.
Week Two: Building Relationships with Foundation Funders
Week Three: Crafting your case for general operating support writing assignment
Week Four: Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Module Five

Online Giving Blowout/Maximize Your Website

Are you still married to your webmaster?  Cut those apron strings and take control of your website.  Wanting to create relationships via email but don’t have a clue how?  Email marketing is a godsend to the small nonprofit organization, giving you the tools to establish real relationships with your supporters – at a fraction of the price of direct mail.

Week One: Nonprofit email marketing.  Learn the secrets of building relationships via email.  You’ll learn how to grow your list, establish a regular presence in your donor’s lives and more.
Week Two: Take Control of Your Website
Week Three: Maximize Your Website for Online Giving module/assignment
Week Four: Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Module Six

Pulling it all Together – Your Sustainable Fundraising Systems
Time to get focused – what is your outcome?  How much can you realistically raise this year from grants?  From individual and online giving?  Here’s where we tie up all that you’ve learned and make 2011 your organization’s best year yet!

Week One:  Pulling it all Together – Creating your sustainable fundraising plan
Week Two: Bring on the Board – learn how to lead and energize your board
Week Three:  Assignment
Week Four: Wrap up.  Personal 60 minute assignment review and coaching call.

Your assignment will be tailored to your individual needs.  Expect surprise guest presenters, contests and more – you’ll have fun learning Simple Development Systems!

Q What is the investment for this program?

First Tier Participants: First tier participants will receive an hour of personal coaching every month along with personally audited homework assignments and a year’s worth of coaching access at $500 per month for six months.

Second Tier Participants: Join the program at $95 a month for six months and you’ll receive every module along with a monthly group coaching call.

Look, I’ve been where you are right now and I know the day to day frustrations of single-handedly juggling jobs as grant writer/marketing director/social media engagement officer/individual giving director/public relations director/webmaster/database coordinator/chief bottle-washer and more.  I’ve labored over finding a way to get things done better, faster so I could get the results I was after.

Well, here’s that program and I encourage you to take advantage of my invitation.

Is this the year that you finally eliminate “I can’t” from your vocabulary?

Still got questions?  Shoot me an email.