“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