Strategic Planning for the Research Department

Linda Kitchel, Director of Research

Millie Erichsen, Research Coordinator

KSU Foundation, Manhattan, Kansas

Introduction

Developing a strategic plan is a way to set goals, state intentions to undertake certain activities, and measure outcomes.Strategic planning answers these questions:

Where are we?Where do we want to be?How will we get there?Did we get there?

IntroductionThe plan directs the unit toward what is truly important.Strategic planning is a continuing process.The plan evolves as circumstances change.A strategic plan is a tool to help the unit make good decisions.

Reasons for a Strategic PlanPosition the unit for the future

Build on strengths and overcome weaknesses

Commit to effective activities

Ensure a steady flow of information

Determine what work habits the unit needs

Mission Statement

The mission statement is the basic description of the unit.

A description of the unit’s business.

What do you do?

What is the fundamental unifying reason the unit exists?

What are the needs the unit seeks to fulfill?

KSU Foundation Research Department

Mission Statement

The mission of the Research Department is to collect and manage information to: 1) identify prospects with high giving potential, 2) match prospects’ interests and needs with those of the University, and 3) plan personalized fundraising

solicitations to maximize giving to the University.

Vision Statement

Identify your vision for your program.

General statement of what the unit aspires to.

What do you want to be like in the future?

What are your dreams for being a successful unit?

Describe the Unit working extremely well.

KSU FoundationResearch Department

Vision Statement

The Research Department will provide leadership in maximizing gifts to the

university through information management.

GoalsGeneral statements that express broad, desired results.Set the direction of the work effort.What are the critical issues that must be addressed?What are the priorities?

KSU Foundation Research Department Goals

Develop a strong prospect pool

Enhance collaboration with fund raisers

Develop the Research Department

Develop professional researchers

Strengthen leadership in the KSU Foundation

Promote the field of prospect research

Characteristics

Describe the goals.

When these things have happened, the goals will be reached.

Goals and characteristics provide the framework to develop strategies.

KSU Foundation Research Department Goals &

CharacteristicsI. Develop the Research Department, characterized by:

A. Adequate staff B. Trained researchers C. Access to relevant information resources D. Expanded central prospect filing system E. Development and implementation of departmental strategic plan F. Strengthened Research Department team G. Staff knowledgeable about foundation goals and priorities

II. Develop a strong prospect pool, characterized by: A. Timely response to research requests B. Identification of new prospects

BenchmarksPoints of reference from which measurements may be made.

Standards to measure against.

What gets measured gets done.

BenchmarksNumber of requests met

Number of new prospects identified

Number of preparations for visits

Number of names handled

Number of hours and output for them

Response time

Number of researched people who made gifts

ReportHow close did you come to meeting your goals?

How did you compare to your benchmarks?

Report periodically: yearly, quarterly, monthly.

Plans/Reports

Campaign ReportsFour years

Analyze results– Number of major gift prospects not seen

– Amount of gifts from prospects identified by screening service

– Amount of gifts from prospects identified by peer screening

Plans/ReportsConstituent analysis

Identify prospects for next campaignHire additional fundraisers?Emphasis on

Individuals?Major gifts?Planned gifts?Corporations and foundations?Regions of the country?Stewardship?

Plans/ReportsPersonal strategic plans

What is each person’s responsibility?

What do you want to be like in the future?

What steps do you need to take to reach your goals?

What changes do you need to make to reach your goals?

What is your timeframe?

Review progress periodically.

Uses for a Strategic PlanBasis for job reviews

Provides information for:Unit reports

Unit budgeting

Justifying requests for:Promotions

Raises

Additional staff

Additional resources

Making the Strategic Plan Work

Meaningful Content

Effective Action

Leadership

Understand the plan.

Commit the necessary resources.

Willing to risk, to try something new.

Participate in the process.

Celebrate achievement.

Ensure the plan is carried out.

How do we feel about having a strategic plan?

We know where we are going.

Organized

Confident

We have a direction.

We have a plan to do more and to get better.

A Strategic Plan can be your guiding light.