{"id":249,"date":"2017-10-24T16:33:52","date_gmt":"2017-10-24T16:33:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/?p=249"},"modified":"2017-10-24T16:55:57","modified_gmt":"2017-10-24T16:55:57","slug":"the-ikea-inspired-guide-to-fundraising","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/?p=249","title":{"rendered":"The Ikea-Inspired Guide to Fundraising"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I really like Ikea because its success is a combination of affordable prices, cool designs, ease of purchasing and simplicity in assembly. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But it seems that the design of each Ikea store is created to confuse you. Walking up and down the aisles takes you from the bedroom section to the living room section to the kitchen section. Then you have to self-serve by awkwardly lifting packaged disassembled furniture. Every time, I feel like I am undertaking an adventure in looking for things that I don&#8217;t necessarily need. But for some reason when I come across an item that I have not seen before, I am tempted to pick it up and put it in my buggy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One particular thing I love about Ikea is how they provide the owner step-by-step instructions for the new item, along with an allen key to assemble pieces together.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I came to realize that the principles for assembling Ikea furniture are similar to those for executing a successful fundraising campaign, particularly our <\/span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7 Step Power Donor System<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for major and planned giving. So in the spirit of Ikea furniture assembly, here is a simple Ikea-inspired 7 step guide to raising funds.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The 7 Step Guide to Raising Funds<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Step 1<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; <\/span><b>Brainstorming<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-250 \" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-1.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"328\" height=\"332\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-1.png 555w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-1-297x300.png 297w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 328px) 100vw, 328px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As part of the DIY (Do It Yourself) process, the most essential starting point is making sure you have the right tools and materials. For Ikea, these would be packaged screws, boards and other items like the wooden pegs. For fundraising, it is a checklist of action items which will help you review the past, present and future of the charity. Brainstorming will help you prepare for the budding campaign by setting up:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Clear Case for Support<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Navigable website<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Useful Giving tools<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strong Organizational commitment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In order to have those in place you need to have answers to the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much money do you need?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much do you need now?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much will you need in 12 months?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How much will you need as an endowment?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Step 2 &#8211; <\/b><b>Research &amp; Identification<\/b><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-251 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-2.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"270\" height=\"230\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-2.png 457w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-2-300x255.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you have all the right tools, you have to match them with the assembly pieces that you\u2019ve been given. In the realm of fundraising, you need to use your database to organize the campaign and get your prospects in one place. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 3 &#8211; <\/b><b>Connecting the Dots<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your actions should be part of a strategy that align with the instructions. This would require reading through instructions to complete the piece of furniture. In fundraising terms, this would require preparing the plan to approach your prospects. You will have to ask yourself the following questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-252 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-3.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"290\" height=\"231\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-3.png 537w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-3-300x239.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px\" \/><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why do you need the funding?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will it be used?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What is the impact of the funding?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will it be measured?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who will be involved?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connectors will better understand the cause and be more willing to join the leadership team with these questions answered.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Step 4 &#8211; Develop a Customized Strategy<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-253 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-4.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"373\" height=\"259\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-4.png 515w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-4-300x209.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 373px) 100vw, 373px\" \/> <\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The saying \u201cNo man is an island\u201d holds true for both furniture assembly and fundraising. In furniture assembly, you usually need someone to help you hold pieces together or make sure you are following the instructions correctly. In fundraising, it\u2019s all about putting the leadership team together and getting them engaged in the project. During this process you need to get input from individuals who are not necessarily involved in the organization. These individuals will help you answer key questions such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What types of materials will help you approach prospects? <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you portray the campaign?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you customize materials to better reach your target audience?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Step 5 &#8211; Leveraging Your Team\u2019s Capabilities<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-254 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-5.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"623\" height=\"111\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-5.png 975w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-5-300x53.png 300w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-5-768x136.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to Ikea furniture, I make sure that my wife or one of my kids isn\u2019t too far away to help me with the assembly. Similarly, you need to have your leadership team ready to use their networks and reach out to prospects. Leverage is all about having the right leadership team to help you in the process. Afterwards, you can start assessing your capabilities of connecting with your donors: <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you reach out to your donors?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you identify new donors?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you follow up with these individuals?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you engage them?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you bring them to understand the benefits associated with donating to your organization?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Step 6<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; <\/span><b>Alliance<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-255\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"497\" height=\"222\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-6.png 975w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-6-300x134.png 300w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-6-768x343.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re almost there! Your furniture is starting to come together. Make sure you check off all the details to avoid a wobbly chair or a dangerous nail pointing out the back of your bookshelf. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In fundraising, the final touches of a major gift campaign are all about keeping people informed and recognized for their contributions. This usually takes place in the form of:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Engagement with professional advisors to explain the benefits of donating (e.g. via stocks, equities, publicly traded shares, mutual funds, RRSPs\/RRIFs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Donor recognition<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Follow up with donors and key stakeholders<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Step 7 &#8211; Close<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Closing in furniture assembly and fundraising is making sure that there are no loose ends. This step involves finalizing donor agreements and receiving donation funds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-256 alignright\" src=\"http:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/fmi\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-7.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"415\" height=\"306\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-7.png 562w, https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Step-7-300x221.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 415px) 100vw, 415px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019re done! You can enjoy your new furniture and your new fundraising campaign!<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I really like Ikea because its success is a combination of affordable prices, cool designs, ease of purchasing and simplicity in assembly. But it seems that the design of each Ikea store is created to confuse you. Walking up and down the aisles takes you from the bedroom section to the living room section to &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/?p=249\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">The Ikea-Inspired Guide to Fundraising<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-249","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=249"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":262,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/249\/revisions\/262"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=249"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=249"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fundingmatters.com\/blog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=249"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}