Fundraising magic is in the people, not the software
Buying a word processor isn't going to make you Shakespeare, and neither will you be a fundraising wizard after your school buys a donor database management system. Having a well-designed donor database is the first step to achieving your annual fund goal. You still need the right people, however, to implement the processes that lead to fundraising success.
Your fundraising team should be chosen just as carefully as the software. People are blessed with different strengths, and you want the combination that will most contribute to achieving the goal. Who should you put on the team? You want people who are...
... Likable. Donors give to people they like, so you want people on your team who have naturally or deliberately developed the habits and attitude that help them establish connections.
... Linkable. Cultivating relationships is what fundraising is all about, and you need people who build and value links with others.
... Leadable. The people on your team must be able to lead and to follow--and know when it's time to do each one.
... Learnable. You must have people who have a genuine interest in learning more about your donors, about fundraising, and about school leadership.
