Client Spotlight

The Jefferson School

"Education Reimagined"

This is the motto of one of our newest clients, The Jefferson School (TJS). TJS is 

a small independent school near Georgetown, Delaware. They are located on a     47-acre campus adjacent to the Redden Forest that allows a real-time education in science and the environment. They even have a small tribe of small goats! Covering pre-school through 8th grade, TJS emphasizes small classes and experienced based learning. This allows students to:

• be more readily able to absorb new ideas and integrate them with their current knowledge 
• develop a passion for both lifelong learning and global awareness.

TJS has been providing this educational opportunity to the children of Sussex County for 25 years. Small, creative and purposeful, TJS has launched students well prepared to thrive and succeed in competitive educational settings as they go on to high school and college.

We are so proud to be a part of their planning for the future. To learn more about The Jefferson School, visit their website: www.jeffersonschool.com.

Fundraising and the Nonprofit Board Member: Notes from a Practitioner

Development in all its elements is essentially a board function. Governance is the board's responsibility, and fundraising, which is critical to sustainability, is part of governance. Accordingly, nonprofit board members are responsible for fundraising, while staff members are responsible for management and operations.                                                               

Nonprofit board members:

• If not you, who? The board is responsible for attracting resources to ensure the financial viability of the organization and its programs.
• About 5.5% of charitable giving goes to arts organizations. This means that self-funding is paramount in your strategy.
• 75% of donations to nonprofits come from individual donors.
• Your board should be comprised of individuals who can "give or get"!
• When you present your case for support, always explain what the community needs and how your organization fills that need.
• Constantly build your database: Add friends, fellow club and church members, community leaders, event attendees, etc.
• The more donors and potential donors are familiar with you, the more they are inclined to give. So make sure your organization stays top of mind with your target audience.
• Make sure every member has an elevator pitch. Why you support makes a compelling statement to others about why they should, too.
• THANK, RECOGNIZE, and CULTIVATE DONORS; it's an ongoing process.

If your organization does not have a resource development committee to focus efforts and motivate other board members, establish one. Every member must be actively involved. They should identify prospects, identify relationships, assist in cultivation, write thank-you notes, and write personal notes on solicitation letters. The committee can have non-board members who understand and support the mission. 

Staff can support development but should not be asked to assume major responsibility for it.

Remember, there is no magic. Why do people give? Because they are asked.

To learn more, contact Bonny Anderson at (302) 530-6806 or banderso1066@earthlink.net, or visit us at www.macintyreassociates.com.