Designing and maintaining a world-class development strategy for an organization occurs as a result of both science and art. There are absolute requirements for a fundraising plan, standards of excellence and customized approaches to maximize results. The most successful organizations will carefully map out a strategy that includes grants, individual donations, corporate outreach, earned income, event revenue, investments, in-kind contributions and leveraged community resources. They will have detailed plans, assigned champions, appropriate databases, measurable outcomes and stewardship responses for each source of revenue to the organization.
A strong development strategy places a high value on relationships. It is critically important to learn about the priorities and preferences of donors and funding agencies – and to respect their wishes at all times. Thorough and timely communication and exceptional stewardship are essential. It is imperative that organizations develop a culture of stewardship while maintaining high integrity, transparency and accountability. Every person or agency that invests in a nonprofit expects the funds to be spent wisely. They want their donation to make a difference.
Not every nonprofit understands how to build an exceptional fundraising program. Many organizations do not understand how to leverage board and community support in the development process and some lack the acumen or structure to provide strong stewardship. Hiring a consultant to strengthen this aspect of the nonprofit team is a wise investment in the future of the organization.
Sharon has exceptional fundraising and revenue development skills. She can work with staff and board members to build infrastructure, build a comprehensive plan for fundraising and train both staff and directors of the board to successfully play their parts in actualizing increased support for their organization.
Some specific fundraising and revenue development projects Sharon can assist with include, but are not limited to:
- Assessment of your fundraising programs – personnel, use of volunteers, distribution of resources, infrastructure, donor stewardship
- Executing successful annual campaigns
- Building and retaining an individual donor program, including cultivation of major gifts
- Strengthening grant programs
- Implementing unique and effective events
“Sharon Knight did consulting work for Disability Law Colorado to assist us during a time of transition in our development department. Among other things, Sharon helped us plan development activities and strategies, conduct a search for a development professional and provided our Board with a training on fundraising. All of her work was important, especially the Board training, which was carefully tailored to our mission and development strategies. Months later our Board members are still talking about how valuable the training was. Sharon is one of our go-to experts for all things nonprofit. I highly recommend Sharon – she is exceptional!”
Julie Busby, Manager, Disability Law Colorado
Contact Sharon Knight for more information on how she can help you develop appropriate strategy, infrastructure, systems and staffing to become a world-class fundraising organization and achieve the results you aspire to.
Sharon Knight Consulting 