Goldilocks and Mid-Level Givers

In the session "Three Bears — How to Plan a Mid-Level Program That Is Just Right for Your Organization," at the DMA 2010 Washington Nonprofit Conference, speakers Jann Schultz, director of donor relations at Operation Smile; Susan Paine, director of direct marketing at the Human Rights Campaign; and Cathy Finney, associate vice president at MINDset direct, offered the following keys to success when planning a mid-level giving program:

Understand the budget implications: Creating a mid-level program doesn’t mean an exorbitant investment.
Collaborate: Utilize resources organization-wide, from broad-based to major gifts.
Plan: Know what’s coming up, plan to include higher-value donors accordingly and develop strategies around existing efforts.
Utilize resources properly: Understand the importance of staff in building relationships, and utilize staff interaction when possible.

D.C. Nonprofit Conference Roundup: Goldilocks and Mid-Level Givers