1. Does FUNDING mattersŪ Inc., only do major gift campaigns?

Though we specialize in major gift campaigns we have consultants with experience in all types of fundraising including:, tele-mail, special events, door-to-door canvassing, planned giving, membership development, sponsorship, cause related marketing and online auctions. We are pleased to use as wide a variety of techniques as appropriate to raise dollars for your organization, and maximize your public exposure where possible.

2. How do we know what kind of fundraising is right for us?

FUNDING matters consultants will do a complete review of your organization's strengths and weaknesses with an eye to assessing what approaches might be most successful. We will then make detailed recommendations to you based on our research including our rationale for recommending the course of action we ultimately recommend.

3. How do you structure your fees?

Our fees vary with the level of service required by your organization. FUNDING matters has three principal service models:

4. How much time is involved in a major capital campaign?

Of course the time involved in a campaign varies with the goal and the specific position of the organization in question, but our experience has shown that major campaigns can last anywhere from 8 to 24 months. Factors that also influence the length of a campaign include the level of volunteer and staff availability for cultivation and solicitation activities, as well as the size and nature of the existing donor base of the organization.

A detailed proposed timeline will be part of any campaign feasibility study report conducted by FUNDING matters, which will explain the timing of the campaign and the anticipated volunteer and staff resources necessary for the execution of the proposed campaign plan.

5. Do your consultants actually ask prospects for money on behalf of our organization?

Though we will do the asking if there are no available volunteers, our experience tells us that the most effective asks come from volunteers, particularly volunteers who themselves have given to the campaign. Time and again we have found that by far the most effective solicitation team is a volunteer backed-up by one of our consultants. We provide the prospect identification and research, solicitation strategy, and the necessary training to get the volunteer to the point where they are comfortable asking and dealing with any concerns a potential donor might have.

6. Besides your fees what additional costs are involved in a major campaign?

The costs of fundraising vary on a case by case basis, but they can include such costs as those associated with producing and mailing materials to potential donors, traveling to meet with potential donors and recognizing donors after they have given. At FUNDING matters we endeavour to keep the costs of fundraising as low as possible by making full use of in-house resources, and thoroughly researching prospects so that time and travel are not wasted on prospects who are not likely to give a major gift.

7. Do you insist on doing a feasibility/planning study before you will work on a major campaign?

In almost all cases we prefer to do a feasibility/planning study before embarking on a major campaign. The study assists us in refining the campaign message, determining if there is an appetite for a campaign such as the one you are proposing and identifying any potential stumbling blocks.

8. What happens when the campaign is over and you leave?

Our main interest is in transferring our knowledge to your staff and volunteers so that when we leave they are able fund raise independently. If an organization feels that they would like to continue to benefit from our expertise and advice we would be happy to continue to provide strategic counsel as necessary.