5.2.2
Report on Development and Fundraising
Prepared by Lyndi Schrecengost
• Development Team
The transition from the Sheridan Group (fundraising consultants) to a new part-time
Development Director, Lyndi Schrecengost, took place in November 2013. In January 2014,
Becky Mehringer was hired as Development Coordinator. With Nancy Green as the staff liaison,
the three-person team has functioned effectively with the support of an engaged Development &
Fundraising Committee.
• Annual Fund Branding
One of the first orders of business in 2014 was to establish a distinct look and feel for the Annual
Fund. A new logo, tagline, color palette, and iconography were created for fundraising, and this
branding has been reinforced over the course of the year in advertising, the Year in Review, an
annual fund donation brochure, the website, Convention materials, and more.
• The 2014 Annual Fund
The 2014 Annual Fund was officially launched in February 2014. The Development Committee
set a target goal of $35,000 for 2014, nearly twice the amount that was raised in 2013. As of
10/29/14, $29,520 had been raised. Of this amount, $18,000 has been earmarked for the JavitsFrasier Scholarship Program, which permitted the funding of 12 scholars this year. There was
full participation from both the Board of Directors and the Development Committee in the
Annual Fund in 2014, which is critical for creating buy-in for the fundraising program.
The Annual Fund solicitation effort has centered around 5 program areas:
1. General Annual Fund
2. Javits-Frasier Scholarship Program
3. The ‘Honor a Teacher/Mentor’ program (for teacher scholarships)
4. The Expert Speakers Program
5. Planned Giving (The Gifted Legacy Society)
This was accomplished through regular and diverse appeals and advertising, which included:
 Magazine advertising
 Compass Points announcements and articles
 Direct mail appeals
 Social media
 Personal appeals
 Online giving portals
• Fundraising Calendar
In early 2014, a fundraising calendar was created that identified monthly tasks that should be
accomplished. Where possible, the results of various appeals were recorded, along with notations
for items that should be modified or improved in 2015. This calendar should establish a blueprint
for fundraising strategy in 2015.
• Donor Recognition
A responsive and timely system for tracking donations and acknowledging and recognizing
donors was established. This is done on a weekly basis, with regular updates to donor lists.
• The 2013 Year in Review
The staff published its first Year in Review—an annual report-styled document that showcased
program successes in 2013 and built the case for fundraising in 2014. It was mailed as a thank
you to all past donors, and has been used with potential donors and other VIPs over the course of
the year. It showcased the scope of NAGC’s program efforts, while also positioning our
development goals for the future.
• Grant Program
22 Letters of Intent and full grant proposals were submitted in 2014, with a focus on JavitsFrasier and our new Talent Development initiative. None of these solicitations resulted in
funding, however, it can take several attempts with a funder before they become aware of a new
organization and are ready to commit funding. To get a jump on potential funding for JavitsFrasier (our most promising area of grant funding) in 2015, Executive Director Nancy Green met
with the local arrangements committee in Phoenix where she presented a short list of family and
community foundations that might be considered for Javits-Frasier next year. Later, Lyndi and
Nancy followed up with LAC members Peter Laing and Dina Brulles for some contacts and
leads at various community and corporate foundations in the Phoenix area. A more
comprehensive list of potential funders is being developed, and we have begun to approach some
of these foundations and leverage personal connections where possible.
Lyndi also proposed creating two distinct tracks within Javits-Frasier in 2015—one in STEM
and one in the Arts, which may enhance the potential to obtain corporate funding, as many hightech corporate funders direct their funding to STEM programs.
In addition, a media kit to 15 potential talent development summit funders was created and
mailed in July. This kit included a four-page Prospectus on Talent Development, the Year in
Review, and several backgrounders, articles, and impact stories. (The media kit is an in-house
publication that can be printed at low cost and easily customized for other uses.)
• Corporate Advisory Council
A Corporate Advisory Council was created, whose purpose is to bring greater visibility to the
issue of talent development in the U.S. through the corporate lens, and to help NAGC attract and
nurture Major Gift donors. Former Lockheed Martin CEO Norm Augustine agreed to be the
front person for this effort. A prospectus, letter of appeal, and preliminary CEO participant list
were created. There are currently five members on the Council and the first formal meeting took
place in late October.
• Expert Speakers Program
The ESP generated $14,000 in revenue last year. Development Committee member Wendy
Behrens agreed to spearhead the revitalization of the ESP. In conjunction with staff, she
developed criteria to use when considering potential speakers. Nine of the 10 speakers who were
invited to participate in 2014/15 submitted materials and have been accepted as speakers. We
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have received $7,950 from ESP speaking engagements so far in 2014, and Lyndi began to
actively market this program in summer 2014, with ads and articles that promoted the benefits to
conferences in using NAGC expert speakers.
• Planned Giving Program
We’ve had our first Planned Giving program participant and the program is now more
formalized and branded. Called “The Gifted Legacy Society,” this new program initiative was
also featured in the 2013 Year in Review.
• Talent Development Initiative and Pre-Summit Challenge
Nancy, along with Nick Manetto from FaegreBD Consulting, has been working on developing a
Talent Development Pre-Summit event, as well as refining the framework for a full Summit
slated for 2015. This November, the half-day “Talent Development Challenge,” will focus on
successful corporate/education partnerships, as well as informing the discussion about where
NAGC goes from here.
Impact
Many fundraising appeals in recent months have been more story or testimonial driven, which
tends to garner better results and has the added benefit of building awareness for NAGC’s work
and outreach. In September, in response to a GreatNonprofits promotion, reviews from NAGC
members were actively solicited, and NAGC has been designated a ‘Top Nonprofit’ for 2014.
These 4- and 5-star reviews will also provide excellent quotes and testimonials for use in various
promotions in 2015.
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