1 Staff and board members who have an understanding of Biblical stewardship and leadership principles?    Yes        No 

2 An advisory or mentoring relationship with another Christian leader or leaders who have been successful fundraisers?    Yes     No

3 A positive public image?    Yes        No  

4 A mission statement that can be accurately summarized in a few sentences by your staff and board?    Yes        No

5 An actively maintained  computer database that will allow you to track donors by gift history, personal history, gift size, giving interests, etc.?    Yes        No

6 A strategic long-range plan that addresses operating and capital funding needs over a three to five year period?    Yes        No

7 Fundraising expertise on the board and several board members who are active in fundraising?                              Yes        No

8 A comprehensive funding plan (i.e., general funds, capital funds, grants, business support, volunteers, gifts-in-kind, program fees, etc.)?    Yes        No

9 An accurate record of all fundraising activities and results for the past three to five years?    Yes        No                                                

10 A cash reserve equal to at least three month's operating income?    Yes        No

11 Persuasive, written case statement that overviews your ministry and your funding initiatives/plans?    Yes        No

12 A systematic plan for soliciting every donor annually?    Yes        No

13 A system to acknowledge all gifts within 48 hours of receipt?    Yes        No

14 A process for continuously identifying new donor prospects (individuals, businesses, churches, foundations, etc.)?    Yes        No

15 Planned giving activity?  Have the board and key staff members already placed your organization in their estate plans?    Yes        No

Here are some ways to improve...

1 Look over past fundraising and financial records and determine which activities have been most successful in your past fundraising efforts.

2 Do a complete analysis of your donor records.  Determine your top 10 donors (largest single gifts and/or total cumulative gifts given) and your top10 prospects.  Deepen your relationship with these individuals and begin to communicate with them more regularly about the organization's successes, plans and needs.

3 Develop a mentoring relationship with one or more Christian leaders who have been successful in fundraising.               

4 Sharpen your fundraising knowledge and skills by ordering tapes and books from the Christian Stewardship Association or other fundraising training groups that can help you become more effective (www.stewardship.org, www.kluth.org, www.generousgiving.org).

5 Plan to attend or bring a team of people to a fundraising training conference..

Source: Brian Kluth compiled from a variety of sources for a Christian Stewardship Association newsletter.

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