Beyond the Appeals: 10 Steps to Success for Generosity

Most organizations jump straight to the ask. But before any annual appeal, capital campaign, or giving program can succeed, there's foundational work that has to happen first. In this first session of the Beyond the Appeals roundtable series, GSB Fundraising's Pete Reuss walks through the four steps that everything else builds on, and explains why skipping them is one of the most common reasons generosity efforts fall flat.

Pete covers why board and staff effectiveness matters more to giving than most leaders realize, how financial transparency directly impacts donor trust, and what it actually means to enhance a financial development program beyond just sending out pledge cards. He also makes a compelling case for strategic planning done right, including why a mission statement on a shelf changes nothing, why overly tactical plans fail to inspire anyone, and how involving your people in the planning process is what creates genuine ownership and investment.

Whether you lead a congregation, a camp, or a nonprofit, this session gives you a clear picture of what has to be in place before you can effectively invite generosity and expect people to respond.