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Pre-Session Tasks

Preparing for our upcoming session will help you gain maximum value from our time together. These tasks are designed to help you apply the concepts we've covered while gathering insights about your organization's current fundraising situation.

Review Your Current Funding

Take time to analyze your organization's funding landscape. Look beyond just the numbers to understand the patterns and relationships in your funding mix. Document your current funding sources, noting not just amounts but also the strength of relationships and potential for growth.

Consider creating a simple funding map that shows:

  • Major funding sources and amounts

  • Funding trends over the past few years

  • Relationship status with key donors

  • Potential risks or opportunities

Analyze Recent Fundraising Efforts

Learning from past experiences helps shape future success. Choose one or two recent fundraising initiatives to analyze in detail. Consider both successful and challenging experiences – often, we learn more from what didn't work than from what did.

Document your insights about:

  • What worked well and why

  • Challenges encountered and how they were addressed

  • Resources required versus results achieved

  • Lessons learned for future initiatives

Draft Your Case for Support

Start developing your organization's case for support using the principles we discussed. Focus on creating a clear, compelling narrative that communicates both the need for your work and your effectiveness in addressing it.

Begin with a one-page overview that includes:

  • Your organization's mission and unique approach

  • Evidence of impact and success stories

  • Current opportunities and challenges

  • Specific ways donors can make a difference

Map Your Network

Understanding your network is crucial for fundraising success. Take time to map out your organization's relationships and identify potential opportunities for growth.

Create a simple network map showing:

  • Current donors and their giving patterns

  • Potential donors you'd like to engage

  • Key influencers and connectors

  • Partner organizations and collaborators

 

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