Improving Operations, Part 4: Dust Off and Update Your Fundraising Policies

Improving Operations, Part 4: Dust Off and Update Your Fundraising Policies
April 20, 2020
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”http://getdatabasey.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/czx.jpg” title_text=”czx” align=”center” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Remember all those policies you and the team spent time on a few years back? Well, it’s time to find them, dust them off, and review them for any updates. Below are just a handful of the procedures and policies that a robust fundraising shop requires, but it will get you started.
- Handling Cash, Checks and Mail
- Recording Pledges, Intentions, and Bequests
- Gift Acceptance Policy
- Moves Management Policy
- Pledge Management and Write-Off Procedures
- Recording and Honoring Donor Communication Preferences
Step 1: Take inventory.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Make a list of all the policies and procedures you have in your arsenal. Dig way back into the deep, dark corners of your computer or shared drive to find them — you might find some you didn’t know about!
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Step 2: Review and update current policies.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Read through the policies you have and ask yourself a couple questions:
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]1) Are these still relevant?
2) How have our procedures evolved?
Once you have thought through these questions, you’re ready to update your policies.
[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]Step 3: What’s missing?
After taking inventory and updating what you have, it probably became clear what policies are missing. Make a list of those that need to be written and plan to write them over the coming months. As you’ve reviewed your other policies, you might find that a template is emerging and you can build upon the structure that’s already built.
Here’s a sample policy structure that we like to use:
- A short into that includes the name of the policy, the individuals involved in creating the policy, and the date (or revised date)
- Any underlying logic needed to explain why the policy is being written and what activities it will affect
- The intended outcomes of implementing the policy (2-4 bullet points that explain what the department looks like after this policy is fully implemented)
- The actual policy language that details the work flow and/or any specific procedures
- A short FAQ section that proactively answers questions that colleagues might ask
Drop us a line to let us know if you have questions! And, don’t forget to tune in for our final blog in the series about ramping up reports.
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