Just wondering ..... do most people set up the following appeals for their Major Gift Campaign?

Major Individual Gifts
Corporate Donations
Foundation Gifts
Employee Trust Funds
Service Clubs and Groups

Thanks,

Ann

I wouldn't call those appeals at all. The appeal should be how did you ask for the gift... not what the gift was. Such as Newsletter, Spring Appeal Letter, Gala Event Invitation, etc. If you didn't ask for it then it should be Unsolicited. If you need these categories I would use them as gift subtypes or gift codes but not appeals. Some of them even seem more appropriate as constituent codes. Melissa ***the Original question***** Just wondering ..... do most people set up the following appeals for their Major Gift Campaign? Major Individual Gifts Corporate Donations Foundation Gifts Employee Trust Funds Service Clubs and Groups Melissa S. Graves Manager, Development Database & Direct Mail Planned Parenthood of Connecticut [Email Removed] 203-752-2804

Ooops! Forgot to mention that I would then further break down the Appeal into packages such as: Proposal Type A Proposal Type B My only confusion when it comes to Major Gifts is when is it an appeal and when is it just an action. For us, I don't know if others have the same approach, each appeal id is equal to an accounting code so that these dollars then go to accounting at the end of each month. I hope this is clear. Would anyone be willing to share with me how they break down there Major Gift dollars? Thanks, Ann

An action is every contact you have with the prospect (call,visit,letter). An appeal is the method that has resulted in the gift. (ie. Personal solicitation). Your 5 groups are not appeals but more likely useful as constituent codes or attributes. If you set up a Major Gift Campaign, Appeals reflecting each solicitation method, and already have funds/or create funds reflecting the projects your MGs are supporting you should be in good shape. You can use the Packages to capture the totals based on sector (Foundation Proposal 1, Corpotate Propsal 1. Corporate Proposal 2, Personal Letter, etc.) Or you can note the packages in your actions. If, for example, you have all foundations set up with a FDN constit code you can always pull a total gift/pledge amount for that sector/group.

Does this make any sense?

Okay, I think I am finally getting my head around this campaign, fund, appeal thing. My next question is .. would you ever have a donation without an appeal? And I don't mean unsolicited - it was solicited but more of a unique kind of solicitation - such as will major givers - each constituent is solicited differently. Thanks, Ann

As well as genuine planned appeals, we have one called "Staff." When it is chosen, the comments block should contain the circumstances, if you want those recorded. Peg Strodtbeck Development Associate Wheeler Mission Ministries PO BOx 817 Indianapolis IN 46206-0817 (317) 687-3627

This is where things get a bit iffy. I do have some general appeals such as Personal Call - Personal Meeting - Personal Note but we do know that sometimes it takes all 3 (or more) to get a gift. I would not leave it blank but rather decide which one prompted the interest in giving (I know subjective but what else can you do). Everything else - the follow up and cultivation can be put in as actions. Melissa Melissa S. Graves Manager, Development Database & Direct Mail Planned Parenthood of Connecticut [Email Removed] 203-752-2804