Final Project: Resource Development Plan
Sample Solution
Mission
The mission of the American Red Cross is to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the United States and around the world.
Programs and Services
The American Red Cross provides a wide range of programs and services, including:
- Disaster relief: The Red Cross provides food, shelter, and other essential assistance to people affected by natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.
- Blood services: The Red Cross collects and distributes blood products to hospitals and other healthcare providers.
- Preparedness and education: The Red Cross offers training and educational programs to help people prepare for and respond to emergencies.
- International services: The Red Cross provides humanitarian assistance to people affected by war, famine, and other crises around the world.
Full Answer Section
History
The American Red Cross was founded in 1881 by Clara Barton. Barton was inspired to start the Red Cross after witnessing the suffering of soldiers during the Civil War. The Red Cross quickly became a leading provider of disaster relief and other humanitarian assistance.
Current Sources of Funding
The American Red Cross is funded through a variety of sources, including:
- Government grants and contracts
- Individual donations
- Corporate donations
- Foundation grants
- Endowment income
Potential New Sources of Funding
The American Red Cross could potentially raise new funds from the following sources:
- Planned giving
- Major gifts
- Legacies
- Bequests
- Corporate sponsorships
- Cause marketing campaigns
Cultivation Strategies
The American Red Cross could cultivate new funding sources by:
- Identifying and building relationships with potential donors.
- Educating potential donors about the Red Cross's mission and programs.
- Sharing stories of people who have been helped by the Red Cross.
- Making it easy for people to donate.
Education Strategies
The American Red Cross could educate potential donors about its mission and programs by:
- Creating and distributing educational materials.
- Conducting presentations to potential donors.
- Inviting potential donors to visit Red Cross facilities.
- Organizing and participating in community events.
Solicitation Strategies
The American Red Cross could solicit donations from potential donors by:
- Sending direct mail appeals.
- Making phone calls to potential donors.
- Conducting face-to-face solicitations.
- Creating online donation forms.
- Participating in telethons and other fundraising events.
Appreciation Strategies
The American Red Cross could appreciate donors by:
- Sending thank-you notes and other tokens of appreciation.
- Keeping donors informed about the impact of their gifts.
- Inviting donors to special events.
- Recognizing donors in the Red Cross's annual report and other publications.
Role of Board and Staff
The board and staff of the American Red Cross play a vital role in resource development. The board is responsible for setting fundraising goals and overseeing the organization's fundraising activities. The staff is responsible for implementing the organization's fundraising plan.
The board and staff can work together to identify, cultivate, educate, solicit, and appreciate funding sources in a number of ways. For example, the board can help to identify potential donors and build relationships with them. The staff can then provide educational materials and presentations to potential donors. The board and staff can also work together to develop and implement solicitation and appreciation strategies.
Conclusion
The American Red Cross is a leading provider of humanitarian assistance. The organization relies on a variety of funding sources to support its programs and services. The board and staff of the American Red Cross play a vital role in resource development by identifying, cultivating, educating, soliciting, and appreciating funding sources.
Additional Considerations
In addition to the above, the American Red Cross could also consider the following strategies to increase its fundraising success:
- Develop a diversified fundraising portfolio. The Red Cross should not rely too heavily on any one funding source. By diversifying its fundraising portfolio, the Red Cross can reduce its risk and increase its chances of success.
- Use technology to its advantage. The Red Cross can use technology to reach more potential donors and make it easier for them to donate. For example, the Red Cross could create a mobile donation app or develop a social media fundraising campaign.
- Invest in relationship building. The Red Cross should invest in building relationships with its donors. This includes getting to know their needs and interests, and keeping them informed about the impact of their gifts.
- Be transparent and accountable. The Red Cross should be transparent about its finances and how it uses its donated funds. The organization should also be accountable to its donors for its results.