Determining the True Cost of Fundraising

Annual fund
Appel said annual funds usually are high in cost to raise a dollar, compared to other fundraising methods.

“To be successful with an annual fund, a nonprofit really needs to identify those who are prospects for major gifts and build support for the mission,” she said.

Fundraisers must remember to include these items when calculating the true cost of an annual fund: design, printing and mailing costs; telephone calls or campaign costs; staff cost, including fundraising staff; and gift administration.