Build your fundraising dream team

What if you could build your own fantasy fundraising team? Imagine you have the opportunity to create a fundraising team with all the right people who have all the right skills. The sky would be the limit. Let’s take it down a notch. Let’s say you could add three dream team members to your current team. Who would you pick? What would be your criteria? How would your new members work with your current members? Would you have leverage or friction?

Here are a few possibilities of super stars to consider. Which three would you pick and why?

1. A board member who believes in what you are doing
2. A CEO who has defined her business’ vision for the next three to five years
3. A civic and social leader who has strong political ties
4. A corporate executive who has worked with local nonprofits over the past five years
5. A development staff person at your organization who has the energy and can’t accept “no” for an answer
6. A donor who has a passion and interest for the work of your organization
7. A faith-based leader who is well respected throughout the community
8. A former elected official
9. A foundation leader who believes your organization is headed in the right direction
10. A local artist with ties to Hollywood or Broadway
11. A local attorney or CPA with a track record in the area of estate planning and wealth management.
12. A local entrepreneur who can provide in-kind services and resources
13. A member of a family known for their generous philanthropy
14. A member of an LGBTQ employee group with one of the area’s largest employers
15. A recipient of your organization’s services (or an alumnus from your university) who is committed to giving back
16. A social media maven who is well respected in the business community
17. A social venture capitalist with local and national connections
18. A volunteer leader who has participated in the top four most recent local fundraising campaigns

Use this exercise with your fundraising team, staff, and/or board of directors. Ask each to pick three and share the reasoning behind their selection. Everyone is bound to learn a lot – and have fun. The next step is to match those dream team members with people in your community or network. Who do you know who has these qualities? Who knows someone who knows someone? You can work together to recruit your own dream team.

Here are two more things to consider. First, fundraising is a team sport. You may recruit a fundraising superstar or two, but is that a team? What if he or she leaves? Who will be able to step up? Related to this, you have to find the right mix of people to sustain and grow your fundraising. Consider and weigh elements such as chemistry, skill set, passion, accessibility, commitment, and loyalty. It is the way the team works together that makes for sustained success.

Copyright 2019 – Mel and Pearl Shaw

Mel and Pearl Shaw want to help you build your dream team. Learn more at www.saadandshaw.com. Call us at (901) 522-8727 or 504-766-8003 for fundraising planning and strategy services.