Transcript Strategic Plan for Prospect Research

Strategic Planning for the
Research Department
Linda Kitchel, Director of Research
Millie Erichsen, Research Coordinator
KSU Foundation, Manhattan, Kansas
Introduction
Developing a strategic plan is a way to set
goals, state intentions to undertake certain
activities, and measure outcomes.
Strategic planning answers these questions:
Where are we?
Where do we want to be?
How will we get there?
Did we get there?
Introduction
The plan directs the unit toward what is
truly important.
Strategic planning is a continuing process.
The plan evolves as circumstances change.
A strategic plan is a tool to help the unit
make good decisions.
Reasons for a Strategic Plan
Position the unit for the future
Build on strengths and overcome weaknesses
Commit to effective activities
Ensure a steady flow of information
Determine what work habits the unit needs
Mission Statement
The mission statement is the basic description of the
unit.
A description of the unit’s business.
What do you do?
What is the fundamental unifying reason the unit
exists?
What are the needs the unit seeks to fulfill?
KSU Foundation
Research Department
Mission Statement
The mission of the Research Department is to
collect and manage information to: 1) identify
prospects with high giving potential, 2) match
prospects’ interests and needs with those of the
University, and 3) plan personalized fundraising
solicitations to maximize giving to the University.
Vision Statement
Identify your vision for your
program.
General statement of what
the unit aspires to.
What do you want to be like
in the future?
What are your dreams for
being a successful unit?
Describe the Unit working
extremely well.
KSU Foundation
Research Department
Vision Statement
The Research Department will provide
leadership in maximizing gifts to the
university through information
management.
Goals
General statements that express broad, desired
results.
Set the direction of the work effort.
What are the critical issues that must be
addressed?
What are the priorities?
KSU Foundation Research
Department Goals
Develop a strong prospect pool
Enhance collaboration with fund raisers
Develop the Research Department
Develop professional researchers
Strengthen leadership in the KSU Foundation
Promote the field of prospect research
Characteristics
Describe the goals.
When these things have
happened, the goals will
be reached.
Goals and characteristics
provide the framework to
develop strategies.
KSU Foundation Research
Department Goals &
Characteristics
I.
Develop the Research Department, characterized by:
A.
Adequate staff
B.
Trained researchers
C.
Access to relevant information resources
D.
Expanded central prospect filing system
E.
Development and implementation of departmental strategic plan
F.
Strengthened Research Department team
G.
Staff knowledgeable about foundation goals and priorities
II.
Develop a strong prospect pool, characterized by:
A.
Timely response to research requests
B.
Identification of new prospects
Benchmarks
Points of reference from
which measurements may
be made.
Standards to measure
against.
What gets measured gets
done.
Benchmarks
Number of requests met
Number of new prospects identified
Number of preparations for visits
Number of names handled
Number of hours and output for them
Response time
Number of researched people who made gifts
Report
How close did you come to meeting your goals?
How did you compare to your benchmarks?
Report periodically: yearly, quarterly, monthly.
Plans/Reports
Campaign Reports
Four years
Analyze results
– Number of major gift prospects not seen
– Amount of gifts from prospects identified by screening
service
– Amount of gifts from prospects identified by peer
screening
Plans/Reports
Constituent analysis
Identify prospects for next campaign
Hire additional fundraisers?
Emphasis on
Individuals?
Major gifts?
Planned gifts?
Corporations and foundations?
Regions of the country?
Stewardship?
Plans/Reports
Personal strategic plans
What is each person’s responsibility?
What do you want to be like in the future?
What steps do you need to take to reach your goals?
What changes do you need to make to reach your
goals?
What is your timeframe?
Review progress periodically.
Uses for a Strategic Plan
Basis for job reviews
Provides information for:
Unit reports
Unit budgeting
Justifying requests for:
Promotions
Raises
Additional staff
Additional resources
Making the Strategic Plan Work
Meaningful Content
Effective Action
Leadership
Understand the plan.
Commit the necessary resources.
Willing to risk, to try something new.
Participate in the process.
Celebrate achievement.
Ensure the plan is carried out.
How do we feel about having a
strategic plan?
We know where we are going.
Organized
Confident
We have a direction.
We have a plan to do more and to get better.
A Strategic Plan can be your
guiding light.