EVALUATING YOUR FUND-RAISING PROGRAM
DEFINITION:
Looking at your fund-raising program or event from a critical perspective.
TIMING:
This should be done as soon as possible after each event and then again for the overall program, at the end of the last event in that year's program.
 Fundraising for Dummiesby John Mutz, Katherine Murray (Paperback - June 2000) |
 Conducting a Successful Fundraising Program:A Comprehensive Guide and Resource by Kent Dove (Hardcover) |
WHO SHOULD EVALUATE:
Everyone who was involved in the planning and operation of the event.
People involved in the evaluation process include: receptionists, secretaries, staff, committees, volunteers, sponsors, and in some cases, participants themselves.
Everyone has a different perspective, and everybody's perspective can shed valuable light on what happened (success or not) and why, and what is required to improve details.
HOW:
Evaluation is a dynamic process, and should be conducted at a meeting, face-to-face.
Time should be allocated so that the process is not hurried, so that everyone has their say and difficult areas are well thought through.
A meeting like this also acts as a "get together" - again helping cement various fund-raising components together.
WHAT SHOULD COME OUT OF AN EVALUATION MEETING:
Notes for making improvements
Recommendation for changes
If the event/s met the goals set for it (use evaluation sheet).
If this event should be continued, or not.
WORDS OF WARNING:
The Evaluation Meeting should NOT be a witch hunt if the event did not meet expectations. Often, people bring expectations to events such as this and seek blame when they are not meet. Play the issues, not the personalities. Every volunteer's time is valuable - if they had problems, perhaps they needed assistance or were not in the position that matched their talents. Be patient and be supportive, even if there were problems.
Worksheet: FUNDRAISING EVENT RECORD AND EVALUATION SHEET
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