Data-Money-Mission

You have some data.

You need some money.

The money will further your mission.

Easy right?

Let's get a bit more specific.

What data should be used?

How should current data be used to get from data to money to mission?

One straightforward approach is to use annual fund data to help set specific goals for increased overall giving, increased renewals, and increased number of gifts. Basically, boost participation in the annual fund.

Try this:

• Pull a list of last year's annual fund donors.
• Sort this list by amount given to the annual fund most to least.
• Run the numbers. What happens to last year's annual fund total raised when an X% increase is applied? Would a 3% increase work? What could be accomplished with 10% more raised for the annual fund?
• What percentage at different giving levels is a reasonable increase to expect from donors at each level?
• What is considered a major gift? How many major gifts are there in the annual fund? How many are needed? What is a realistic increase in number and amount of major gifts?
• Focus on donors that fall just below the major donor level. How many can be reasonably bumped into the major giving category? How?
• How does all of this impact or change messaging to annual fund donors?

Of course, the data-money-mission equation can be looked at in the reverse too. For those working primarily in the data the first direction may be more impactful, but it's important to think bidirectionally as well to keep the mission in focus.