Fundraising SIG Report – 1 May

With the lead up to the end of the Financial Year rapidly approaching, thoughts of how to maximise the results of the Annual Giving program will be uppermost in the minds of many fundraisers—at both school and tertiary levels.

It was therefore timely for over 30 members of the Fundraising Special Interest Group (SIG) to meet at St Andrew’s Cathedral School and share ideas on this important topic. Two outstanding presentations were given:

• Jackie Dalton told how Nicole Crabb from Glenaeon Rudolf Steiner School lifted its participation rates and overall fundraising success with a unique targeted marketing and communications campaign in the two months leading up to the financial year end. Over the last five years, Glenaeon’s results have increased by a staggering 2000%.
• Lyn Jarvis from St Andrew’s, and Julia Glass from International Grammar School, told how a short, sharp 24-hour campaign, using modern fundraising techniques, achieved extraordinary results in the Annual Giving space. Julia’s results went up 100% and Lyn’s results went up 500%.

The afternoon was highly successful with a great deal of positive feedback, and a number of attendees saying they had excellent take-aways from both presentations.

One participant said, ‘I attended the Fundraising SIG at St Andrew’s on Wednesday. I wish to give feedback and advise that I found it extremely valuable, and gained insights into how I might better do fundraising.’

It was also a great networking opportunity for all who attended—to meet up with old colleagues, meet new ones, and share ideas. Networking is of the most invaluable aspects of these SIG forums.

Many thanks to Lyn Jarvis for offering to host our group in the state-of-the-art facilities at St Andrew’s.

Jackie Dalton
Director of Philanthropy, Frensham School