We’re especially good at helping campaigns get off to a great start. Let's face it, the internal results of strategic planning can be pretty dry, and the last thing you want to do is drag your donors through the Sahara. We can help you transform your strategic plan into a compelling case that inspires not just donors but believers.
TOP THREE lessons we've learned ABOUT CAMPAIGNS:
- Successful campaigns depend upon a clear, specific institutional vision. What are you trying to achieve? What obstacles lie in your path? What's your impact if those obstacles are removed? This is your campaign story in a nutshell. Donors will be inspired by your influence on the larger world, not by your dollar goal or the fact of the campaign itself.
- Campaigns aren’t just about financial resources. It's imperative to use your campaign to build pride and engagement across all your target audiences. In this way, you cultivate support not only for the current campaign but also for future efforts, while at the same time strengthening your overall brand.
- Campaign communications must be donor-centric, not institution-centric. What do your potential donors care about? How do their concerns intersect with your goals? Remember, donors are motivated to give because of how they feel, not because of what you want.
CAMPAIGN TASKS WHERE WE ADD THE MOST VALUE:
Leadership Phase
- We translate strategic plans (often academic and somewhat dry) into succinct, compelling campaign vision statements. In the process, we help build institutional consensus between advancement, administration, and volunteer leadership.
- We re-brand annual funds in advance of campaign to strengthen allegiance and "preview" campaign priorities.
Public phase
- We create the core tools to launch and sustain a cohesive, coordinated campaign story (e.g. microsite, launch film, case statement, event and social media strategy.)
- We equip the major gift team with customizable donor material in a variety of formats and media.
- We define the annual fund message within the campaign.
- We plot out a content strategy for your internal communications team to follow, so that they can sustain momentum.
Celebration phase
- We help prove campaign impact to celebrate success and support long-term donor retention strategies.
- We help you think through post-campaign goals and the story of what happen next.