The Capsule Wardrobe Janice Raeber, Vice President LFCS Foundation Gina Fromme, Assistant Director, LFCS Foundation Megan Nichols, Marketing Director, LFCS Foundation Examining & Streamlining Your Fundraising Closet Background of LFCS Not-for-profit social services organization Serve children and families throughout Missouri Originally formed in 1868 as a residence for children left homeless after the Civil War 1
LFCS Programs & Services Counseling Adoption Crisis Pregnancy & Parenting Foster Care Child Care Youth Mentoring Disaster Relief Advocacy Unique Structure Agency & Foundation Unique Structure Agency & Foundation 2
The Capsule Wardrobe The Capsule Wardrobe Susie Faux coined the term, Capsule Wardrobe, in the 1970s American designer, Donna Karan released an influential capsule collection of 7 interchangeable workwear pieces in 1985. Caroline Rector s blog, Unfancy, re-envisioned the idea to a 37-piece seasonal wardrobe: no shopping or swapping allowed 3
Why a Capsule Wardrobe? It s applicable to any style Getting dressed is a breeze Better idea of what you like and what looks good on you You can see what your wardrobe is missing Having limited selections makes you creative Less stressed Better use of time and energy Why a Capsule Wardrobe It feels good! How Does This Translate to Fundraising & Marketing? Minimalist Return on Investment Streamlined Simplified The Capsule Wardrobe Organized Mindful Resourceful 4
The Fundraising & Marketing Closet Events Website/ Social Media Direct Mail Print Major Gifts E-Marketing Planned Giving The LFCS Fundraising & Marketing Closet Gala Golf Tournament Regional Events Direct Mail Strategy Website Printed Pieces Social Media Planned Giving E-marketing Donor Cultivation/ Stewardship Staff Responsibilities First-time Donor Relations Major Gift Strategies Database Management Advertising Ambassador Committee Storytelling Branding Assumptions Crowdsourcing Monthly Sustainers Online Giving Saying Thank You Boards & Committees What s in your closet? 5
Building Your Non-Profit Capsule Wardrobe Keep Toss Accessorize Are You Up For the Challenge? Remove personal attachments. Consider if each piece really useful and wearable? Your closet is only so big There are only so many hours in a day. Your closet also can t be too empty you can t wear the same shirt every day. Challenge 1: Special Events 6
Reviewing the LFCS Event Inventory Reviewing the LFCS Event Inventory Setting Our Goals Appeal to a younger audience Make improvements for added value 7
Goal: Appeal to A Younger Audience Goal: Appeal to A Younger Audience It started with one couple! Which led to more young couples becoming involved. Goal: Appeal to A Younger Audience 8
Goal: Improve the Event for Our New Constituency Before After Goal: Improve the Event for Our New Constituency Provide Higher Quality of Items for auction Quality vs. Quantity What do our guests want? Unique items and experiences. Look at evening agenda and make room for fun and fellowship. Communicate our mission message. Quality vs. Quantity 9
Unique Experiences Fun and Fellowship The Mission 10
It Worked! Questions Challenge 2: Major Gifts 11
Before After The Necessities of Any Major Gift Wardrobe Old fashioned, roll-up-yoursleeves fundraising Hyper-focus on relationship building and The ASK Strategy and persistence 12
Getting Back on Track Ditched Assumptions Our donors and prospects are just too busy to meet with us. Our donors and prospects prefer tax credits. A donor or prospect said no once. They aren t interested. 13
Our Approach Reviewed and updated coding Implemented new and mandatory tracking guidelines Created a formal moves management program Created a flipbook outlining programs, impact, and financial need Unified and streamlined messaging Set up reporting/accountability Meeting as a team more frequently Major Gift Work It takes a game plan. It takes time. It takes patience. It takes accountability. Questions 14
Challenge 3: Marketing How Do We Fix It? Before After 15
Audit Marketing Closet What existed How items were being worn What was effective Where improvement was needed Roadmap for Success 16
Identifying Our Style Statewide Organization Leader in the Community Resonate with Multiple Audiences Out with the Old Clearing through the Clutter Mismatched newsletter and brochure templates Non-responsive website In with the New Developing a Strategy Brand position statement Organization summary Brand promise Core Essence 17
It s Time to Accessorize Implementing the Playbook Messaging Themes Language Tone Imagery Fonts Colors 18
Questions Before After Before After 19
Before After Final Thoughts Your time is valuable and your resources are limited A closet review is needed regularly Be brutally honest and not afraid of change The result: A streamlined, fresh and focused approach to marketing and fundraising 20
THANK YOU! Janice Raeber, Vice President, LFCS Foundation, 314-754-2786, JaniceR@LFCS.ORG Gina Fromme, Assistant Director, LFCS Foundation, 314-754-2784, GinaF@LFCS.ORG Megan Nichols, Marketing Director, LFCS Foundation, 314-754-2785, MeganN@LFCS.ORG Don t forget to visit the Solutions Showcase! Many of the ideas discussed today are on display at the Solutions Showcase! 21