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At a glance
What it is
Guide to comprehensive fundraising strategy including annual campaigns, major gifts, crowdfunding, events, corporate sponsorship, planned giving, donor stewardship, and calendar management.
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SKILL.md
387 lines · 2,493 words
Use this skill when:
The user needs a comprehensive nonprofit fundraising strategy covering annual campaigns, major gifts, or events
The user wants help with donor stewardship, crowdfunding campaigns, or corporate sponsorship approaches
The user needs to build a fundraising calendar, planned giving program, or donor recognition system
Guide to comprehensive fundraising strategy including annual campaigns, major gifts, crowdfunding, events, corporate sponsorship, planned giving, donor stewardship, and calendar management.
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“Create a bot that uses the Fundraising Strategist skill, and show me the plan first.”
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What it covers
When to Use
Process
Questions to Ask First
Fundraising Fundamentals
Annual Campaign
Major Gift Cultivation
Crowdfunding
Event Fundraising
Corporate Sponsorship
Planned Giving
Donor Stewardship
Donor Database (CRM) Selection
Progression Path
Resources
Output Format
Example
Edge Cases
The user wants guidance on fundraising event planning or donor cultivation techniques
Do NOT use this skill when:
The user is writing grant proposals for foundations (use nonprofit-grant-writer instead)
The user is raising venture capital for a startup (use startup-advisor instead)
The user needs help building a pitch deck for investors (use pitch-deck-builder instead)
Gather requirements. Ask the user clarifying questions about their specific context, goals, constraints, and experience level.
Analyze the situation. Review the information provided and identify key factors, challenges, and opportunities relevant to fundraising strategist.
Develop the framework. Create a structured approach tailored to the user's needs, incorporating best practices and domain-specific considerations.
Deliver actionable output. Present specific, implementable recommendations with clear rationale, timelines, and success criteria.
Address edge cases. Proactively identify potential issues, alternative approaches, and contingency plans.
Use this skill when:
User needs guidance on fundraising strategist
User asks about fundraising strategist best practices or techniques
User wants a structured approach to fundraising strategist
Do NOT use this skill when:
A more specialized skill exists for the specific subtopic
The request is outside the scope of fundraising strategist
Before developing a fundraising strategy:
What is your organization's annual budget and what percentage comes from fundraising?
What fundraising methods do you currently use?
How many donors do you have? What is your donor retention rate?
Do you have a donor database/CRM? Which one?
Who is responsible for fundraising? (ED only, development staff, board, volunteers)
What is your fundraising expense budget?
What is your organization's brand recognition in the community?
Do you have compelling stories and data to share with donors?
What is your board's involvement in fundraising currently?
What is your biggest fundraising challenge right now?
Most organizations raise money across these levels:
/\ Planned Giving
/ \ (Bequests, trusts)
/----\ Major Gifts
/ \ ($1,000-$100,000+)
/--------\ Mid-Level Donors
/ \ ($250-$999)
/------------\ Annual Fund / Grassroots
/ \ ($1-$249)
/________________\ Broad BaseKey principle: Most revenue comes from the top of the pyramid (80/20 rule - 80% of dollars from 20% of donors), but the base feeds the upper levels through donor cultivation and upgrades.
Donor retention rate: Percentage of last year's donors who give again (60-70% is good, industry average is 43%)
Donor acquisition cost: What it costs to acquire a new donor
Average gift size: Total donations / number of gifts
Lifetime donor value: Average annual gift x average years of giving
ROI by channel: Revenue generated / cost for each fundraising method
Fundraising efficiency ratio: Fundraising cost / total funds raised (under 25% is strong)
A systematic effort to secure unrestricted gifts from as many donors as possible each year. This is your fundraising backbone.
Direct Mail Appeal (2-4 times per year)
Year-end appeal (November): Largest response, 30%+ of annual giving happens in December
Spring appeal (April-May): Program updates and spring giving
Summer appeal (July-August): Mid-year bridge, often less competitive
Letter should be 1-2 pages, personal, specific ask with suggested amounts
Email Appeals
Monthly newsletter with embedded giving opportunity
Targeted appeals around specific needs or milestones
GivingTuesday campaign (Tuesday after Thanksgiving)
Segmented messages for different donor levels
Phone/Personal Outreach
Thank-you calls to recent donors (not asking for more)
Personal ask calls to lapsed donors
Board member reach-out to their networks
| Month | Activity |
|---|---|
| January | Thank donors, update database, review year-end results |
| February | Plan spring appeal, identify major gift prospects |
| March | Spring appeal preparation, donor appreciation event |
| April | Mail spring appeal, major gift meetings |
| May | Spring appeal follow-up, event planning |
| June | Mid-year financial review, summer appeal prep |
| July | Summer appeal, GivingTuesday planning begins |
| August | Fall event preparation, year-end appeal writing |
| September | Major gift solicitations, event promotion |
| October | Fall event execution, year-end appeal finalization |
| November | Year-end appeal launch, GivingTuesday |
| December | Year-end push, matching gift opportunities, donor thanks |
Organization-specific: A gift significantly above your average that requires personal cultivation. For a small nonprofit, $500 may be major. For a hospital, $25,000+.
Identify: Research prospects using wealth screening, giving history, connection to mission
Qualify: Determine capacity (can they give?) and inclination (do they want to?)
Cultivate: Build relationship through 6-18 months of engagement
Solicit: Make the specific ask in a personal meeting
Steward: Thank, report impact, maintain relationship
Repeat: Re-engage for next gift (upgrade, renew, or special project)
Personal meetings over coffee or lunch
Facility tours and program visits
Invitations to special events (not just fundraising events)
Personalized updates on programs they care about
Introductions to program staff and beneficiaries
Board member involvement in cultivation (peer-to-peer)
Handwritten notes from leadership
Always ask in person, ideally face-to-face
Be specific: "Would you consider a gift of $10,000 to fund our youth mentorship program?"
After asking, be silent - let them respond
If they say yes: Express gratitude, confirm details, follow up in writing
If they need time: Set a specific follow-up date
If they decline: Thank them graciously, ask if they can help in other ways
Never apologize for asking - you are offering an opportunity to make impact
Track each major gift prospect through a "moves" system:
Assign a relationship manager (staff or board member)
Plan 8-12 intentional "moves" (interactions) per year per prospect
Document every interaction in your CRM
Review prospect portfolio monthly
Active portfolio: 15-25 prospects per relationship manager
Platform selection: GoFundMe Charity (no platform fees for nonprofits), Classy, GiveLively (free)
Goal setting: Achievable goal creates momentum (can always extend)
Compelling story: Video (2-3 minutes) dramatically increases success
Launch strategy: Secure 30% of goal before public launch from inner circle
Social proof: Early donors encourage others
Updates: Post progress updates every 2-3 days during campaign
Thank publicly: Tag and thank donors on social media
Time-limited: 30-45 day campaigns perform best (urgency drives action)
Supporters create personal fundraising pages linked to your campaign
Provide templates, suggested language, and images
Works well for runs/walks, birthday fundraisers, challenge campaigns
Facebook Fundraisers reach donors outside your usual network
Gala / Dinner
Revenue: $10,000-$500,000+ depending on market
Costs: Venue, catering, entertainment, printing (40-60% of revenue typical)
Best for: Major donor cultivation, community visibility, sponsorship revenue
Timeline: 6-12 months planning
Auction (Live or Silent)
Can be standalone or part of gala
Procurement is key: Donated items = higher profit margin
Online auctions extend reach (GiveSmart, OneCause, Handbid)
Experience items often outperform physical items
Walk/Run/Ride
Revenue: $5,000-$200,000+
Lower cost, higher participation, strong peer-to-peer potential
Sponsorship is a major revenue component
Requires significant volunteer coordination
House Party / Salon
Low cost, intimate, personal
Board member or supporter hosts in their home
Best for cultivation and small-to-mid gift solicitation
15-30 attendees, informal program with mission moment
Virtual Event
Lower overhead, broader geographic reach
Requires strong tech setup and engagement strategy
Works for: Auctions, panels, performances, giving challenges
Hybrid (in-person + virtual) expanding since 2020
Set clear revenue and attendance goals
Budget conservatively (include hidden costs: insurance, permits, AV, tips)
Secure event committee (6-10 dedicated volunteers)
Lock in date, venue, and headline attraction early
Launch sponsorship sales 4-6 months before event
Open ticket sales/registration 8-10 weeks before event
Promote through email, social media, board networks, local media
Plan program flow: Welcome, mission moment, fund-a-need, entertainment
Day-of logistics checklist and volunteer assignments
Post-event: Thank everyone, share photos, report impact, debrief
Live ask during event for specific program need
Auctioneer or host calls out giving levels ($10,000 down to $50)
Creates excitement and social proof
Can raise 50%+ of event net revenue in 15 minutes
Requires compelling program presentation right before the ask
Donation: Charitable gift with no quid pro quo (tax-deductible)
Sponsorship: Business transaction - company provides funds in exchange for marketing value (may or may not be tax-deductible)
Create tiered packages with clear deliverables:
Title Sponsor ($10,000+): Name in event title, logo on all materials, speaking opportunity, premium table, social media features, exclusive networking access
Gold Sponsor ($5,000): Logo on materials, social media mentions, premium seating, recognition from stage
Silver Sponsor ($2,500): Logo on select materials, social media mention, reserved seating
Bronze Sponsor ($1,000): Name listed in program, general seating
Local businesses with community presence
Companies whose customers overlap with your audience
Businesses in related industries
Companies with employee groups who volunteer with you
Review corporate social responsibility reports
Lead with the marketing value, not the charitable mission
Include audience demographics and reach numbers
Show media coverage and social media metrics from past events
Make it easy to say yes - clear packages, simple decision
Follow up sponsorship with excellent fulfillment reporting
Gifts made as part of a donor's estate or financial plan. These are typically the largest gifts an organization receives.
Bequest: Donor includes organization in their will (most common)
Beneficiary designation: Life insurance, retirement account, bank account
Charitable remainder trust: Provides income to donor, remainder to nonprofit
Charitable gift annuity: Donor makes gift, receives fixed annual payment for life
Real estate gifts: Donation of property
Add planned giving information to your website
Include "Remember us in your will" language in communications
Create a legacy society to recognize planned gift donors
Identify prospects: Loyal long-term donors, older donors, donors without children
Have conversations: "Have you considered including [org] in your estate plan?"
Consult an attorney: Planned giving has legal and tax implications
Thank within 48 hours of receiving a gift (aim for 24 hours)
Thank 7 times before asking again (different touches, different formats)
Personalize thanks for gifts above your major gift threshold
Immediate: Automated email receipt (legal requirement for gifts over $250)
Within 48 hours: Personal thank-you letter from ED or board member
Within 1 week: Handwritten note or phone call for major gifts
Monthly: Newsletter or email update
Quarterly: Impact report showing their gift at work
Annually: Annual report, invitation to appreciation event
Ongoing: Birthday cards, anniversary of first gift, program updates
Public recognition (with permission): Annual report, website, wall display
Naming opportunities for major gifts
Special access or experiences
Personal updates from leadership
Invitation to exclusive events
Define "lapsed" for your organization (typically 13-24 months since last gift)
Recovery rates: Much higher than new donor acquisition rates
Personalized outreach: "We miss you" letters, phone calls
Ask why they stopped giving (survey)
Make it easy to return: Simple online giving, suggested modest amount
Contact and gift tracking
Acknowledgment letter generation
Reporting and analytics
Email integration
Online giving integration
Volunteer tracking
Event management
Cost and scalability
Small (under 500 donors): Bloomerang, Little Green Light, Network for Good
Medium (500-5,000 donors): Bloomerang, DonorPerfect, Neon CRM
Large (5,000+ donors): Salesforce NPSP (free for qualifying nonprofits), Blackbaud Raiser's Edge
Phase 1: Organize donor data, implement thank-you system, write first appeal
Phase 2: Launch annual campaign, build donor pipeline, plan first event
Phase 3: Begin major gift cultivation, diversify revenue streams
Phase 4: Add corporate sponsorships, implement planned giving program
Phase 5: Strategic multi-year fundraising plan, campaign feasibility
Phase 6: Capital campaign, endowment building, mentoring fundraising team
AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals): Training, certification (CFRE), ethics
Books: "Fundraising for Social Change" by Kim Klein
Books: "The Ask" by Laura Fredricks
Bloomerang Blog: Excellent donor retention and stewardship content
Nonprofit Quarterly: Industry analysis and trends
SOFII (Showcase of Fundraising Innovation and Inspiration): Case studies
Deliver the response as a structured document with clear headings and actionable content. Use tables for comparisons, numbered lists for sequential steps, and bullet points for options. Include specific examples where applicable.
[Fundraising Strategist deliverable]
1. Context and objectives
2. Analysis or framework
3. Specific recommendations with rationale
4. Action items with timelineInput: "Help me with fundraising strategist for a mid-size project."
Output: A complete fundraising strategist framework tailored to the specific context, with actionable steps, relevant considerations, and measurable outcomes.
Incomplete information: Ask clarifying questions before proceeding rather than making assumptions
Conflicting requirements: Identify trade-offs explicitly and present options with pros and cons
Scale mismatch: Adapt recommendations to match the user's context (individual vs. team vs. organization)
Domain crossover: When the request overlaps with other skill domains, address what falls within scope and reference specialized skills for the rest
SKILL.md
387 lines · 2,493 words
The text of SKILL.md is shown as it downloads, under the Apache-2.0 license, by Ferrox Labs. The license is the one in the file's own frontmatter.
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