"I love strategy! But it can be really hard." Tess Nixon-Spiller on fundraising strategy at Fundraising on the Margins

Next up at Fundraising on the Margins is “How to write a strategy people will believe in” with Tess Nixon-Spiller, Philanthropy and Fundraising Consultant. Here are my real time notes:

I love strategy! But it can be really hard. Predicting the unpredictable. The world can spin on its heel quite quickly.
What is a strategy? How do you get started? How to engage people, how to land it well in your organisation

The 5Ds: data, discovery, discussion, decisions, document

But firstly get clear on what you’ve been asked to do – strategy scoping document – what are you doing, why and when? What are your big questions? (Big rocks…)

Data – lift up the bonnet of what you’ve got – what story does your data tell? How can you describe your current supporters? And your next supporters? Look closely at supporter data.
Discovery – enriching the data. Lots of interviews, look at other orgs’ strategies, benchmarking, sector data, how does what’s happening in your charity chime with the bigger picture landscape?
Discussion – workshops, away days, e.g. SWOT analysis on a Miro board, what are you excited about? Worried about? What’s your contribution? Share direction of travel! Avoid a big reveal. Gives people the opportunity to learn about fundraising. Why are we special? The team need to own it and deliver it.
Decisions – sometimes a decision is easy, sometimes you will be faced with choices. Without decisions, it is hard to write up! Allow enough time to write up.
If I was allowed one more D it would be Delegate!
Who is your audience and what are they worried about? Give the people what they want. Don’t resist their interests
Think about “from this to that” – where you are and where you need to get to.
And then the hard work begins – implementing your strategy!