In July 2000, the Anglers conceived a strategic fundraising program that would ensure the long-term continuation of environmental improvement and conservation oversight of the Au Sable watershed and other areas of special interest to its members and benefactors. Provisionally named The Capital Campaign, this is the second fundraising effort undertaken by the Anglers in nine years. The first organized effort, Au SableFunds2000, raised approximately $47,000. And while similar needs helped launch the Capital Campaign, all similarities with the Au SableFunds2000 effort stop there. The Capital Campaign has more ambitious aims. Its primary objective is to provide an ongoing endowment fund to ensure the long-term viability of our conservation efforts.
While specific plans are still being finalized, the Capital Campaign has the following major objectives:
To promote the Anglers of the Au Sable as an established conservation and environmental organization with a legacy of successful conservation and environmental initiatives, persistency of vision and sound financial governance.
To promote and position the Anglers of the Au Sable as a viable and attractive investment or benefaction candidate for individuals, families, foundations and corporations.
To provide organizational focus to a long-term fundraising vision, and to build a marketing and communications program to help meet major financial and program objectives.
To recruit significant capital to build a strategic, aggregate endowment to fund ongoing (and new) conservation/environmental initiatives.
To ensure that long-term multi-year conservation initiatives are funded at appropriate levels to yield effective and measurable results.
To establish, manage and sustain the endowment and its fiduciary instruments.
While the Capital Campaign Steering Committee has not announced its financial goals or other parameters of the Campaign, the goal is significant but achievable. The Campaign official kickoff date is tentatively scheduled for spring 2002.
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Giving Programs that are specific to The Capital Campaign are still being developed. However, much of the structure and methods for giving to the Campaign will be similar to the various Giving Programs that are in place today. Please see Giving Programs for more information. If you have a specific question regarding these programs or would like more information on how plans can be designed to suit your specific needs, please contact Rusty Gates at gator@gateslodge.com.
As part of the scoping exercise to plan for the Capital Campaign, five committees were identified and formed. They are described below. In August 2000, the Anglers mailed an announcement of the Campaign and a call for volunteers for each of the five committees. Approximately 28 members responded and indicated an interest in one or more committees. The five Capital Campaign committees are explained below (including some of the text used for recruitment of volunteers):
The Steering Committee provides campaign oversight and direction for the entire fundraising effort. Volunteers are needed who can commit to meetings about once a month. Committee members should be willing to help identify potential donors and make personal introductions to prospective donors they may know. You will also sign letters to solicit donations and help recruit volunteers to staff the remainder of the committees.
Administration, Tracking & Reporting processes gifts for deposit and maintains accurate accounting records of all gifts to the campaign. It also reports monthly (or quarterly, depending on activity level) on campaign progress toward the goal. The Committee maintains a confidential database of all donors, prospects, and members of the Anglers of the Au Sable. Volunteers should be familiar with standard accounting principals. Familiarity with computerized accounting software, spreadsheets, and or databases would be helpful.
The Major Prospects committee will identify, cultivate, and solicit major outright and planned gift prospects for the Campaign. Volunteers will review lists, do basic research, and network to identify potential prospects. They will maintain records of significant contacts with prospects, and will work with the Campaign Steering committee to develop appropriate strategies for approaching individuals and organizations for major gifts. Volunteers should be willing to spend time assembling and reviewing lists of names. They should also be able to meet quarterly during the campaign to coordinate strategies and share information on the status of major gift prospects.
Publications serves as a focal point for all communications involving
the Campaign. Its scope includes: press releases; The Riverwatch; official
correspondence; marketing materials. The Publications Committee has the following
goals: Develop/promote a process for communication; provide a consistent message
and "experience" across all channels and to all parties; provide
guidelines, standards, and tools for general communications; manage establishment
of new look-and-feel web site; establish channels to peer organizations
and media; develop marketing materials that promote the vision and goals of
the Campaign, such as brochures, prospectuses; leaflets; advertisements; and
other collateral.
The Stewardship Committee provides a systematic way for all donors to the campaign to be appropriately recognized for their contribution or endowment, including those donors who wish to remain anonymous. Volunteers will help write thank you letters; select and prepare or purchase appropriate mementos to recognize donors; and work with the Anglers' Events Committee to plan recognition events.
If you have an immediate interest in the Capital Campaign, please contact Jay Gleason at jay.gleason@unisys.com
© Copyright 2001, Anglers of the Au Sable, Inc. All rights reserved. Last modified 19 February 2001.