Sylvia | Carter - Services








	SERVICES Sylvia/Carter and Associates is a full-service fundraising firm offering a comprehensive array of programs and services that will help you to reach your fundraising goals while strengthening and positioning your organization for long-term success. We bring decades of experience in all aspects of fundraising, having worked with a wide variety of organizations throughout the non-profit sector. When we work with your organization, our priorities are: providing solutions that are realistic, achievable and appropriate to your organization respecting and developing an understanding of your organization’s unique culture building respectful, effective working relationships with your board and staff We offer individually crafted services to meet your needs, whether you are seeking experienced capital campaign management, a fresh and objective analysis of your existing fundraising program, or skilled meeting facilitators to provide strategic plan development or a training program. Feasibility Studies and Capital Campaigns Careful planning is essential to the success of any capital campaign. As Corrine Sylvia says, “Campaigns fail due to lack of leadership, not due to lack of funds.” In the present competitive fundraising environment, success goes to the organization that is not only worthy but also has access to information, motivated volunteers and a sound plan. As a result, before launching a capital campaign we frequently begin with a feasibility/planning study, which reveals important information about the campaign goal, potential donors, campaign volunteers, and how your project will be received by the philanthropic community. A well-done study will provide a wealth of information that will help us lay realistic plans for your campaign that will lead to success. The feasibility study generally includes the following activities: Prepare Case for Support Draft the interview questions Prepare the interviewee letters Prepare, evaluate and finalize the list of people to be interviewed Schedule interview appointments. Conduct interviews with a representative sampling of your major constituencies Conduct focus groups, if appropriate Create a written report on the study, including campaign planning and pre-planning recommendations Schedule meeting with full Board to review the study in person Our Capital Campaign services are tailored to meet your specific needs, and build on your resources and capacity. These often include: Determine committee structure for the campaign Assist in identifying, recruiting, and orienting campaign leadership Assist in determining staffing needs Provide support in recruiting, hiring and training new staff/volunteers Create campaign case statements, pledge cards, letterhead, etc. Attend committee meetings and provide professional counsel and technical assistance to committees Assist in developing prospect lists, including gift targets, cultivation and solicitation plans, for solicitors Provide solicitor training for volunteers and staff Research foundations, corporations, government programs, and organizations to support the campaign Develop a public relations plan and assist in its implementation Assist in developing and implementing activities and events at the conclusion of the campaign (ribbon cutting, open house, volunteer recognition, etc.) If necessary, identify and oversee sub-contractors to provide specific services, such as website development, graphic design, catering, printing and mailing services. Toward the end of the campaign, we will provide recommendations and support to ensure your organization maintains, and continues to build, the high level of volunteer and donor involvement generated by the Campaign for future annual giving, major donor programs, and future campaigns. Creating or Expanding a Development Program; Staff Supervision A strong, diverse and reliable annual fund is the foundation for every successful fundraising program, and lays the groundwork for major gifts. We have a demonstrated track record of success in designing and implementing annual giving programs that expand the donor base and the dollars received. This process begins with an overview of current development activities and their success. In conversation with staff and key board members, we will identify the organization’s goals, and discuss ways to identify new constituencies and how the program can be enhanced. This usually requires work with volunteer leadership and other key people who are connected with the organization. As always, our goal is to identify the most cost-effective, productive solutions that are realistic and achievable. Our Staff Supervision services may also be useful in helping to increase the effectiveness of your Development Program. We can provide regular on-site, hands-on supervision and support of development staff. These services are particularly useful when: development staff are new or inexperienced new projects or initiatives are being launched requiring specific skills that staff lack supervisory staff may not have sufficient knowledge about fundraising Development Program Assessment We can provide an objective review of an organization's comprehensive fundraising program to help identify unrealized potential, outdated strategies, or areas that need development. This assessment is often helpful in advance of launching a Capital Campaign, or when the Development Program appears to be stalled. The process usually begins with interviews with staff, board members, and several donors or key community members to discuss the organization’s goals, funding needs, and opportunities. The next step is a review of the status of the following fundraising activities: individual giving – both annual giving and major donors foundation and corporate grant activity planned giving special events publications and website public relations/outreach record keeping and administrative procedures The final product is a written report containing the assessment of the current program, and recommendations for growth and change. As always, our recommendations will be cost-effective, realistic and tailored to your specific organizational needs. We will present this in person to the Board of Directors and/or Development Committee, providing opportunities for ample discussion and questions. As necessary, we will continue to provide consultation and support in implementing the suggestions in the plan. Board Development and Training Today, perhaps more than ever, a committed, informed and passionate Board of Directors is critical to the success of the Development Program. We can help you evaluate your Board and develop plans and tools to recruit and train new members who will help your organization reach its goals. This is often a useful activity prior to or after launching a campaign, or after a time of transition. Another service we offer is customized Board training programs to teach and inspire board members about their role as volunteer leaders, especially pertaining to identifying, cultivating and soliciting donors. Whether it’s a one hour workshop during a board meeting, or a full or multi-day retreat, we offer top quality meeting facilitation skills that will help to engage your board and build their confidence. Strategic Planning “Supposing a tree fell down, Pooh, when we were underneath it?” “Supposing it didn’t,” said Pooh after careful thought. Careful strategic planning can help prepare us for dealing with the unexpected. Today an updated strategic plan that is reviewed regularly by the Board and staff is considered essential for non-profit organizations. Whether it’s updating a pre-existing plan or constructing a new one, we can help you craft a plan that is visionary yet practical, challenging yet realistic, and perhaps most importantly, achievable. Our strategic planning services include: consultation and assistance in preparation for the strategic planning project facilitation of strategic planning meetings follow-up, if necessary, to ensure the completion of the plan assistance in writing the plan development of strategies for publication and sharing the plan Our goal in guiding strategic planning is for the process itself to help build consensus, connections and shared goals between staff and Board members. Often the team building benefits of the planning process are as valuable as the plan itself. We bring expert meeting facilitation skills that encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect, openness and risk-taking, which makes the planning process stimulating, engaging and productive. Major Gift Development — Prospect Research Would you like to build your annual fund beyond those gifts of $100? Are you getting ready for a capital campaign and aren’t sure who your major donors might be? We can help make your annual fund more productive, develop sources of operating funds, and lay the groundwork for significant campaign donations through the development of your Major Gifts Program. Our services include: review of your current donor list to help identify potential major donors develop individualized strategies to cultivate and solicit major gift prospects board and staff training about identifying, cultivating and soliciting major gifts working with volunteer leaders to develop major gift prospect lists develop cultivation events and opportunities for major gift prospects development of materials to support major gift solicitations assistance in developing recognition strategies for major gifts Prospect Research is often a key component of developing or expanding a major gifts program. We can help you “think outside of the box” and identify new prospects; sometimes we utilize the services of a sub-contractor who is a specialist in this field. Communications Effective communications tools are an essential support to a successful Development Program. We can help by evaluating your current communications program and making suggestions for changes and improvement. We offer top quality, professional assistance with: newsletters, both printed and on-line brochures and case statements annual reports website letterhead, business cards, pledge cards, etc. logo appeals programs and materials for events Our services range from providing advice and consultation about a specific publication to managing the creation of a document from text development through printing. We can also provide design, web and print professionals who specialize in working with non-profit organizations and understand your needs. Workshops & Classes Our commitment to the non-profit community includes a passion for providing programs and workshops that provide inspiration, offer proven techniques and practical suggestions, and opportunities for interaction and discussion. Whether it’s a workshop at a convention for hundreds, or a small, individually tailored training program for a volunteer group, our enthusiasm and skilled meeting facilitation techniques will produce success. Workshop participants leave our sessions with materials, ideas and skills they can use immediately. Some of the topics we have presented recently include: How to Identify and Solicit Major Gifts Creating Events That Meet Your Fund Raising Goals Grant Research and Proposal Writing Roles and Responsibilities of Board Members How to Solicit Capital Campaign Gifts Planning a Capital Campaign and Staying Sane Building a Development Program Supervisory Skills: Managing for Success Customer Service We would be happy to discuss your training needs with you and develop a customized program for your group.