Hi there,
I wanted to put this out there and see if others are doing what we are considering.
In the past we have had two separate campaigns for our AF individuals. One was for what is considered major or higher level donors and the other for the rest of us. When someone gives multiple smaller level gifts during a FY that would total the major donor amount we would have to do a campaign adjustment in order to get them into the correct membership category and level.
The companies I have worked for in the past used the campaign to help reconcile with the finance department since the major donor and member donor each had individual line items and gls.
The Opera does not and this separation appears to simply be a development set up. Is there a downside to one AF campaign and fund with memberships and/or designations helping to distinguish between the giving levels?
We have also used fixed memberships in the past and are just now working with a consultant to move everything into rolling memberships. Moving forward would the one campaign help our development department better identify the needs of the constituents within the memberships as they really could see the micro and macro trends?
Looking forward to your feedback and sharing with our development department.
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
I can't think of a reason to not move to a single campaign. That's what I've encountered at several organizations now. There aren't drawbacks, and I suspect you'll find it very helpful once you've transitioned.
You could use funds to distinguish gifts in the way you currently use campaigns. It will make reporting simple. You may consider leaving small gifts made by major donors in the lower level fund. Or, put them in the major line (for year to year comparison), but if someone transitions from low to high giving in a season, let the fund transition with the donor's transition, and don't adjust their earlier, lower level gift. Food for thought.
I've had reports built that simply add up someone's giving to the annual fund campaign within a season. It removes any reliance on fund when reviewing our participation at various giving levels.
Megan