Establishing Fundraising Goals for Your Team
| By Russell Dunlavy, Senior Associate Vice President University Development, Division of Advancement and Alumni, University of Houston |
Establishing clear and achievable fundraising goals for team members is essential to their success and the success of your organization. It’s critical to determine the specific performance metrics that are important to your organization and its overall mission.
Are personal visits the most important performance metric? Maybe it’s the total number of proposals submitted? Perhaps you are only focused on how many dollars are raised, regardless of the number of proposals? Setting these targets not only provides direction and motivation but also helps measure progress and impact.
By defining specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, you can align efforts, foster accountability, and celebrate collective achievements. Setting realistic objectives will help inspire team members to contribute meaningfully and make a significant difference.
1. It starts with candidate interviews! Understanding the goals for a position during the interview process is crucial for candidates to assess their fit and potential success within the role. Clear comprehension of the job objectives allows candidates to align their skills, experiences, and aspirations with the organization’s expectations.
This mutual understanding not only facilitates a more productive and relevant discussion but also sets the foundation for future performance and satisfaction. By ensuring candidates are well-informed about the position’s goals, we can attract individuals who are genuinely committed and equipped to contribute to our organization’s success.
2. You’ve hired a great new team member, now what? Re-emphasizing goals during onboarding is vital to ensure a smooth and effective integration into the organization. This practice reinforces the clarity and importance of their role within the broader context of the organization’s mission and objectives.
Revisiting these goals, we help new employees align their efforts with organizational priorities, set clear expectations, and foster a sense of purpose and direction from the outset. This enhances their confidence and productivity and contributes to a cohesive and motivated team dedicated to achieving shared success.
3. Create a goal and career discussion cadence. Regular meetings with team members to review goals and performance metrics are essential for maintaining alignment, motivation, and productivity within the team. These check-ins provide a structured opportunity to discuss roadblocks, track progress, and celebrate wins, ensuring that everyone stays on the same page and can address challenges promptly.
By fostering open communication and continuous feedback, we can make informed adjustments, recognize achievements, and support each other in achieving our objectives. Regular goal review meetings ultimately drive accountability, enhance collaboration, and contribute to the overall success and growth of the individual, team, and organization.
