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Meals On Wheels Association of America Foundation - The four key factors for success for transformational major gifts fundraising are:
Since 2008, the Meals On Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) Foundation has engaged Schultz & Williams (S&W) to establish a best practices national Board – one that articulates the organization’s critical mission and significantly advances its major gifts work. Our work together began with a series of informational sessions in which MOWAA staff and the S&W team identified the four key factors outlined above. S&W also counseled MOWAA and the Foundation Board on the fundamentals of the development cycle and created systems for identification, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship of major donors. Based on this assessment, the S&W team created a detailed development plan and blueprint for success. MOWAA then followed this blueprint by working with S&W to create a compelling Case for Support in which it identified its four key pillars and clarified its mission and goals for the future. Meals On Wheels now has a compelling “leave behind” Case for Support and a multi-year organization-wide strategic plan. As implementation of the development plan continued, S&W conducted extensive research into foundation and corporate sources of support – research provided to MOWAA for future project funding. The S&W strategic development plan for MOWAA and the Foundation Board also called for the creation of a Leadership Circle, which has now been established starting at the $1,000 level. In addition, the S&W plan highlighted the need for significant engagement and transition of the Foundation Board. In 2009, that Board’s chairman – on the recommendation of S&W – established a Major Gifts Task Force and Board Recruitment Task Force designed to recognize the next wave of major donor and Board leadership. Members of each task force were recruited and their roles and responsibilities were defined. Monthly conference calls focus on a review of individuals who comprise either a major gift prospect or a potential new Board member. MOWAA Development and Communication staff work hand in hand to create strong development materials and messaging. The MOWAA team is now defining individual strategies for major donor and Board engagement as a means to inspire increased major gifts and greater leadership on the part of Board members. MOWAA is creating “deep engagement” opportunities for corporate donors, Board members and other prospects through brainstorming sessions, which they will host this summer, seeking solutions to senior hunger. The S&W strategic plan for the MOWAA Foundation Board includes a series of events across the country. Their purpose is to introduce MOWAA to thought leaders, community leaders and high-net-worth individuals nationwide. An event was hosted in Atlanta last year and other events are now being planned. Events follow-up is the critical success factor to national events. S&W is working with MOWAA to define how to implement best practices for events management and follow-up. Finally, S&W continues to work with MOWAA to enhance the Foundation Board’s knowledge and understanding of its role as fundraising leaders and inspired ambassadors. Presentations at Board meetings and one-on-one discussions with selected Board members and MOWAA’s CEO continue to strengthen their Foundation’s culture of philanthropy. In the meantime, MOWAA has established ending senior hunger by 2020 as its vision for the next decade and has had tremendous success in attracting the corporate community to work with MOWAA in achieving this vision.
Schultz & Williams is a national consulting firm based in Philadelphia; providing management, fundraising and marketing consulting for nonprofit organizations, along with full-service direct marketing, database and creative/production services. |
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