About
Our Story
Our Members
Our Team
Programs
Events
Membership
Assessments
Recruiting
Coaching
Resources
Webinars
Samples
Benchmarks
Podcast
Blog
Careers
Job Board
Post a Job
Salary Survey
Join Our Team
Connect
Contact Us
Become a Member
Get Email Updates
Follow on LinkedIn
Member Support/FAQ
Self Assessment: Annual Giving Programs
Step
1
of
13
- Section 1
7%
Read each of the following statements and rate your program according to the scale below. Don’t spend too much time thinking about each statement; your first instinct is usually the best one. If you’re not certain, make your best guess or go with your gut instinct.
A. Strategy
1. There is a basic understanding of, and appreciation for, the importance of annual giving at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
2. Annual giving is clearly defined at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
3. Annual giving is a high priority at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
4. There are specific and realistic goals for my institution’s annual giving program.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
5. Appeals and communications are segmented by prospect giving history, institutional relationship, and interest.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
6. The annual giving program begins each fiscal year with a documented plan and schedule of communications and activities.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
7. The staff and resources that support annual giving efforts are administered/managed effectively.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
8. Annual giving staff collaborate well with advancement colleagues and campus partners.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
9. Annual giving metrics are regularly tracked, analyzed, and used to inform future strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
10. There are clear and effective strategies for retaining and renewing prior-year donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
11. There are clear and effective strategies for reactivating lapsed donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
12. There are clear and effective strategies for acquiring new donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
13. There are clear and effective strategies for increasing donor giving levels over time and cultivating annual leadership gifts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
14. There are clear and effective strategies for diversifying my institution's donor population.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
15. Annual giving plays an important role in my institution’s broader comprehensive campaign plans and long term advancement efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
B: Direct Mail
16. Direct mail appeals are effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
17. Direct mail appeals are written clearly and effectively.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
18. Direct mail appeals are personalized for key segments.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
19. Direct mail appeals include specific asks/suggested gift amounts based on prospect capacity and inclination.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
20. Testing is conducted regularly and results are used to inform future appeal strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
21. There is a clear process in place for evaluating direct mail results and using them to inform future strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
C: Digital Campaigns
22. Digital channels are effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
23. Email is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
24. Social media is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
25. Crowdfunding is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
26. Digital ads are effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
27. Video is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
28. Texting is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
29. Online volunteers/ambassadors are effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
30. Websites and giving forms are well-designed, easy to navigate, and contain current and relevant content related to annual giving.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
31. Gamification techniques are used effectively to engage and excite prospects and donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
D: Giving Days
32. Giving days are effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
33. Giving days are effectively promoted through multiple channels and marketing efforts are well coordinated so as not to conflict with other ongoing advancement programs.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
34. Volunteers, advancement colleagues, and campus partners play an important role in giving day and are provided with clear expectations, training, and tools.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
35. Giving day donors and volunteers are effectively stewarded following the event.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
36. There is a clear process in place for evaluating giving day results and using them to inform future strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
37. #GivingTuesday is effectively leveraged to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
E: Phonathons
38. Phone outreach by students and/or volunteers is effectively used to support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
39. There are clear and effective strategies for recruiting phonathon callers.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
40. There are clear and effective strategies for training and motivating phonathon callers.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
41. Phonathon scripts are written clearly and effectively.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
42. There is a clear process in place for evaluating phonathon results and using them to inform future strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
F: Frontline Fundraising
43. Staff effectively manage and solicit the annual giving program’s top prospects in a personal way.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
44. There is a system in place for developing, maintaining and evaluating prospect portfolios for the annual giving program’s top prospects.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
45. Gift officers are comfortable in their ability to conduct research on individual prospects, and are generally prepared going into meetings with prospects.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
46. Gift officers are able to conduct effective meetings with prospects virtually and in person.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
47. Key prospects are engaged as volunteers and are managed effectively in support of annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
48. Gift officers are comfortable making verbal asks and addressing objections as needed.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
49. Gift officers know how to write clear and compelling gift proposals and agreements.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
50. There is a clear process in place for evaluating gift officer productivity.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
51. Faculty and key administrators are included in prospect cultivation and/or stewardship efforts when appropriate.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
52. Alumni board members are managed effectively and help support annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
53. There is good coordination of annual and major giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
54. There is good coordination of annual and planned giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
G: Stewardship
55. There are clear strategies and effective programs for stewarding annual donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
56. Gift acknowledgments are generated promptly and personalized by gift amount and designation.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
57. The impact of annual giving is regularly and effectively communicated to donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
58. There are programs in place to effectively/publicly recognize annual donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
59. Events are effectively used to engage and steward annual donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
60. Gift clubs/societies are effectively used to recognize giving at leadership levels.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
61. Gift clubs/societies are effectively used to recognize consistent giving.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
62. There are clear and effective strategies in place to steward new/first-time donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
63. Scholarship donor stewardship is well coordinated with annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
64. Endowment donor stewardship is well coordinated with annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
H: Alumni Giving
65. Alumni participation is a high priority and there are clear and effective strategies for increasing it.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
66. Alumni from different generations are segmented and effectively engaged and solicited for annual gifts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
67. Alumni are asked to give to specific areas based on their unique interests and affinities in addition to making unrestricted gifts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
68. Alumni are solicited every five years in honor of their reunion/anniversary of their graduation.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
69. Alumni communication, engagement and solicitations strategies are customized by the regions in which they live and work.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
70. Alumni who live internationally are effectively engaged and solicited for annual gifts are customized and appropriate for various cultures.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
71. There is good coordination of annual giving and alumni relations efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
I. Young Alumni Giving
72. Young alumni are effectively engaged and solicited for annual gifts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
73. There is a clear strategy in place to engage alumni in their first year after graduation.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
74. There are targeted efforts to identify, cultivate, and steward young leadership donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
75. Young alumni are effectively engaged, cultivated, and stewarded through events.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
76. Young alumni volunteers play an important role in supporting annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
J: Student Giving
77. Students are effectively engaged and educated about philanthropy each year they are in school.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
78. There is a clear strategy in place to engage students during their first year.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
79. There is a senior class gift program that is widely recognized and has specific and realistic participation goals.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
80. Student donors, volunteers, and leaders are regularly cultivated and stewarded through in-person and virtual events.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
81. Student volunteers play an important role in supporting annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
K: Parent GIving
82. Parents are effectively engaged and solicited for annual gifts each year their children are in school.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
83. There is a clear strategy in place to engage and solicit parents during the first year that their children are in school.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
84. Parents with leadership gift capacity are closely managed by gift officers, cultivated through personal meetings, and solicited early in their children's school experience.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
85. Parent donors, volunteers, and leaders are regularly cultivated and stewarded through in-person and virtual events.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
86. Parent volunteers play an important role in supporting annual giving efforts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
L: Other Programs
87. Faculty and staff are effectively engaged and solicited for annual gifts.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
88. Athletics giving opportunities are promoted and managed effectively.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
89. Recurring gifts opportunities are promoted and managed effectively.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
90. Donor challenges are used frequently and effectively to incentivize giving.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
91. Premiums/token gifts are used effectively to incentivize and steward donors.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
92. Predictive modeling is effectively used to identify potential donors and inform annual giving strategies.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
93. Surveys are regularly and effectively used to understand donor interests and motivations.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
94. Benchmarking is regularly and effectively used to compare annual giving results with peer programs.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
95. There is a basic understanding of financial aid fundraising at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
96. There is a basic understanding of corporate matching gifts at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
97. There is a basic understanding of donor-advised funds at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
98. There is a basic understanding of grants at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
99. There is a basic understanding of planned giving at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
100. There is a basic understanding of capital campaigns at my institution.
*
Strongly Agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Please provide your information below so that your results can be emailed to you.
Name
*
First
Last
Institution
*
Job Title
*
Email
*
Δ