Presented by: Amy Hall, Advancement Director

Bishop Blanchet High School, Seattle WA

June 22, 2010PNAIS Conference

Cultivation & Stewardship without (yet)

another expensive event

What is cultivation & stewardship?Cultivation: to promote or improve the growth of

something (relationship) by labor and attention and to develop or improve by education or training

Stewardship: the conducting, supervising, or managing of something ; especially : the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care

Cultivation is more about the process by which you improve and grow the relationship with a donor.

Stewardship is the follow up and thank you after a gift is made. It should not be a one time thing and in many ways can be included in the cultivation process.

Cycle of giving

Traditional cultivation/stewardship

events common in schoolsHouse partiesVIP receptionsAuctionsFundraising dinnersCocktail partiesGolf tournaments Grandparents’ luncheonsGroundbreakingsDedicationsEtc, etc, etcTYPICALLY STAND ALONE EVENTS

Traditional events are:Often expensiveTime intensiveCommunity buildersFriend buildersCan be good funGood PR

How can you limit the first two and not sacrifice the last four?

Take what our school already does well….

..And turn these things into engagement opportunities that are free (or almost-free) and significantly less of a development staff time commitment AND…

sometimes even more effective!

The possibilities really are endless!Assemblies

Pep rallies

Drama performances

Games

Music performances

Chaperoning

Tutoring

Class speakers

Website coverage

Volunteering

Retirements

Lunch in the cafeteria

Peer screening

Religious events

Senior events

Field trips

Retreats

Career fairs

Committees, board, advisory

Art shows

Auction items

Professional services

Features in newsletters

Heads up on big news

Announcements (school play)

Opportunities for specific audiences

Extended families- grandparents (concerts, religious events)

Alumni (pep rallies, graduation, concerts, open house, games)

Past parents (games/activities their kids participated in)

Past staff (assemblies, retirements, social gatherings with faculty/staff)

Critical for success

Make sure the ‘right’ people know donors/prospective donors are attending

Introduce VIPs as appropriateSpecial parking, seating, hospitalityWho should host guests/sit with them?Acknowledgement, follow-up

‘Woops!’

Behavior/languageBad gameCancellationLess than impressive performanceDress

Good planning helps but be prepared for mishaps. If handled appropriately donors will be forgiving.

Steps for success

Get on all lists, email groups, distributions possible

Attend staff and faculty meetingsGet your finance team, principal/head of

school & key admin on boardPartner with teachers, coaches, moderators

so they understand benefitsPresent plans to boardTHANK and credit (publically) staff, faculty,

board, etc

Need other cultivation ideas?Other schools

Colleagues

Staff

Faculty

Students

Alumni

Parents

Coaches

Clergy

Web

Donors

Amy Hall, Advancement DirectorBishop Blanchet High School, Seattle

WAahall@bishopblanchet.org

206.226.5679

Thank you!