2013: Diversified Fund Development Program

The Junior League of Macon won the 2013 JL Award for Fund Development for its spunk, drive, and fearlessness in reversing a dire financial decline.

Program Goal

In a difficult economic climate, the League needed to cultivate funding despite several troubling realties including a $90,000 drop in revenue from its key fundraiser; the decision by 50 households not to be featured on its kitchen tour; and an inability to release complete the new cookbook despite a five-year effort.

Program Description

After a hard look at everything that wasn’t working, the League pulled together a plan for a diversified fund development effort that included endowment income, an annual campaign, grants, and special events. Among their many novel ideas they solicited the husbands of past presidents for endowment gifts in their wives’ names; conducted personal interviews with current sponsors to determine which benefits they valued, and asked top past sponsors to re-commit. In addition they replaced three long-time fundraisers with new events in line with the League’s focus on literacy and listed endowment funders in its newsletter.

Evaluation

As a result the League secured $28,000 in grants from local foundations up from nothing the previous year. It raised twenty-six thousand dollars for its endowment fund, beating its goal of twenty-five thousand, and it recruited five new annual campaign sponsors who together accounted for a 26 percent increase in campaign revenue.