Campaigns

Ways to build capacity, lay a solid foundation for future fundraising, and drive campaign success

Use these strategies to improve your university fundraising campaigns.

University Fundraising: Trends and Tips for Higher Ed Giving

Effective university fundraising requires strategic donor engagement and teamwork. Here are 9 tips to create a stronger fundraising and marketing approach.

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Strategic Planning and Campaigns

Effective Volunteer Leaders Can Propel Campaign Success

Selecting and engaging campaign volunteers must be an intentional effort, one requiring strategy, commitment, and an understanding that the long view reaps the best rewards. Here are seven ways to get the right volunteer leaders onboard.

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Should We Still Have Campaigns?

BWF conducted a research project across the philanthropic landscape to gain contemporary views of campaigns. Through a combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis, we landed on some overarching themes worthy of consideration.

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The Campaign Communications Countdown, Part 2: Prepare to Launch!

You’ve come a long way in a year as you prepare to launch your campaign. You’ve developed core messages, struck upon a powerful campaign theme, and created a graphic identity. As great as your achievements are, there is still a long way to go to launch. Now is the time to take your great concepts and turn them into products.

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Book Chapter: Strengthening the Operation

Equally important to an organization’s ability to reach increased fundraising goals is operational readiness. After all, even if an organization has an excellent relationship with a potential donor, a misspelled name in the database, a delay in processing a gift, ill-timed outreach, or multiple touchpoints to the same donor can all lead to embarrassing and potentially damaging incidents.

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The Campaign Communications Countdown, Part 1: Getting to the Launch Pad

The communications countdown to a public campaign launch includes numerous critical steps that every organization must take to be successful. There is a tried-and-true approach, and there really aren’t shortcuts or workarounds that don’t come with some compromise or risk. Like the aerospace designers, engineers, and astronauts who are making plans to go into space, the initial steps are essential in ultimately achieving a successful liftoff and splashdown.

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South Dakota State University (SDSU) Bold and Blue campaign

BWF & South Dakota State University Foundation Case Study

This partnership with BWF helped SDSU become more data driven, have clearer insights into its operations, have the ability to make strategic decisions and make them faster, and have a better way to validate its strategy, thereby saving both time and resources.

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Incentive Pay in a Campaign: Pros, Cons, and Things to Consider

With more organizations than ever before considering campaigns, and with the “Great Resignation” creating a talent crunch across all areas of advancement, many leaders are considering campaign bonuses as a strategy to retain top performers. At BWF, we work to ensure you’re well positioned for fundraising success, and that includes how best to motivate and retain your fundraising team.

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Fundraising in Times of Uncertainty

Fundraising in Times of Uncertainty

When COVID-19 began, it left many in the philanthropic sector facing unprecedented challenges to overcome. Here BWF shares insights on fundraising in these uncertain times.

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