2018: Provisional Fund Development Program

Successful fundraising isn’t based on any one thing, but rather a holistic approach, making the most of internal resources from all sides. As a training organization, the Junior League of San Diego’s primary goal in establishing the Provisional Fund Development training was to give incoming members the skill set they need to run a fund development event from beginning to end.

This process involves working with many of the League’s other councils, including its marketing, finance and community councils to see how each dollar earned can impact the community in a positive way. The program is part of a nine-month initiative in which all of the League’s incoming members participate.

With a budget of $500 or less per event, small groups of Provisionals are asked to plan and execute new and creative stand-alone fundraisers. During this process they work with the League’s committees to host an event, and then utilize the funds to run a community impact project.

These fundraisers serve many purposes—including training new members, spreading the word to the community about the JLSD’s focus areas, incubating new fundraising events, raising funds, and facilitating additional community events.

Each of these events have generated $15,000-$20,000 each, and have allowed the JLSD to identify its fund development rock stars and cultivate a signature annual fundraiser.

Now in its tenth year, the Provisional Fund Development Training program has successfully brought to fruition over 25 individual fundraising events. This has enabled the League to raise significant funds for 25 different community projects while also helping it meet its strategic goals.

The Provisional Fund Development Training program has proven to be not only an excellent forum in which to provide a hands-on understanding of the ins and outs of planning a fundraising event, but a tremendous opportunity for Provisional members to create lasting friendships through teamwork and shared vision.