It’s a new year, and we’re glad to be back after a rejuvenating holiday break. Over the past several months we’ve had productive strategy and planning sessions. This allows us to begin a new year with a clear process for the clients we serve and for charities seeking support.
One of our recent decisions was to discontinue our community app. While we enjoyed the banter and exchange with charity leaders, we found the platform was not measurably benefiting our clients directly. And it was a lot of work to maintain.
Our renewed focus will link the most compelling charitable opportunities to our clients in an ordered, predictable way that gives them space to reflect well. We’ve designed a journey that allows us to have at least three touchpoints with our clients every year:
- The Kickoff launches the year by planning grant dates and setting a giving budget,
- The Checkpoint presents options for the client’s shortlist of opportunities, and
- The Summit gathers decision-makers to award grants.
A secondary goal is to do this with as little friction for charities as possible. We understand the heavy demands and high expectations placed on fundraising staff.
Our system makes this simple. Let me explain how this works for charities.
- Charities that believe they have a compelling case for any of our clients are invited to complete our annual Charity Survey. While we piloted it in 2024, this survey is now incorporated into our new CSM and is the first and only step that charities need to take. You don’t need to meet with us, and you don’t need an invitation to complete a survey. The survey includes an option to add a menu of potential projects for funding. Once you complete a survey, results remain active in our system throughout the year, and are considered for every client.
- Surveys help us match charities to clients. If there’s a match, we’ll reach out to request a complimentary interview. You don’t need to call us – we’ll call you. Formerly, we conducted site visits only after grant applications were received – now, we will interview charities throughout the year to assess charity health and the viability of potential projects.
- After the interview, we’re ready to present options to our clients at their Checkpoint. It’s at the Checkpoint when they select organizations they’re open to considering grant applications from. With their go-ahead, we reach out to charities to complete an application for funding which they’ll consider at their Summit.
So that’s it. From a charity’s perspective, all that’s required is to complete the survey. We’ll take care of the rest and will contact you when priorities converge.
We recommend that you complete your survey early in the new year so that it remains available for all clients throughout the year. Are you ready to start?