Ops Insights #052 - Reasons to Build Organization-Wide Relationships
October 31, 2024 | Read Time: 2 minutes | Written by Jenny Kleintop
Building relationships outside the development office but still within your organization expands fundraising opportunities.
The question you want to ask: How do we help those throughout our organization be involved?
Joe, Doug, and I talked about how we help others in the organization understand what we do in philanthropy and what their role can be in the development process. Which, in turn, creates more opportunities for conversations with potential donors.
What does it take?
💎 It takes building the partnership culture.
💎 Not just going to them when you need something.
💎 But helping them be a positive healthy cross-division partner.
💎 Where it’s a give and take.
Bridge the gap: For example, finance is a big one for development. We need them; they need us to push gifts, but we need to inform them. We work to create a healthy two-way conversation. We say this is what we need from a fundraising perspective; what do you need from a finance perspective? Then, we work together to bridge the gap.
Be the connector: Another example is to involve your admission office, career center, or student life. These are all areas that benefit from financial support and we want to have strong relationships with these areas. We want to understand what some of their needs are so that when we are talking with donors, we can communicate these needs. They are also the ones that can tell you what the gift is doing and the impact it is having so you can share that story with the donor or connect that donor with that individual to expand on impact. It’s about connecting the donors to the areas they are most passionate about with the people who are the most knowledgeable about these areas. Be the connector.
Take Action
Look to build long-term, positive, healthy cross-division partnerships.
➡ To hear more on this conversation, watch this 8-minute Cup of Joe.
➡ Build relationships outside the development office, but still within your organization. Inform them how they can be involved and consider everyone at your organization as a potential ambassador.
➡ When ready, take it to the next level and create an Ambassador Program. More on this in the next edition.
You’ve got this!
👋 See you next time,
Jenny
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