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Offering a wide assortment of services, Dickerson & Associates places emphasis first on the goals and objectives of each client by providing a specially crafted program to meet the current needs.
It is our desire to teach your staff and volunteers so they will not only be able to follow through on the current project, but also have the confidence and abilities to launch future programs.
We stress thorough research, analysis of findings, establishing specific plans, and having a coordinated follow-up program -- all wrapped in prayer. These are the keys to crafting a program that will be especially designed for you.
Capital Campaigns 
– There is probably no other activity in the life of an organization that has the impact of a capital campaign. Often campaigns are initiated to construct a building. But, capital campaigns can fund other items such as debt retirement, major equipment purchases, renovations and other programs to help a ministry take a substantial leap forward in the fulfillment of its God-given ministry. Dickerson & Associates works with you to craft an individualized plan to reach your mission, project and financial goals as current and new friends are taught Biblical stewardship principles and are asked to make gifts over and above their current involvement with the ministry.
Feasibility Studies – A feasibility study is a precursor to a capital campaign. The study involves obtaining information from those people whom the organization thinks are the best candidates to provide gifts for a capital campaign project. The study is often divided into three segments: personal interviews, telephone interviews and a mail survey. You receive information about what people think of the organization’s programs, leadership, proposed campaign project and the amount of funding needed for the project. From the information received, a report is completed that recommends a financial goal and project goal(s) for the capital campaign. Historically, if an organization accepts the financial goal recommended by Dickerson & Associates, the goal is achieved 95% of the time.
Web-Based Monitoring – Every aspect of your campaign or program can be viewed by you using a private password to the Dickerson & Associates website. Often people misplace agendas, follow-up memos, calendars and specific program plans. With the web-based monitoring system, you will always be able to find all such information, plus locate updates concerning the progress of your program and plans for the future.
Annual Fund Development – Many organizations do a lot of “development stuff,” but they really don’t have financial goals to be achieved by specific programs within a specific time frame. An annual fund development program consist of those fund-raising programs that best fit an organization’s staff and personality. It provides for funds to assist with the daily operations and projects or problems that arise unforeseen throughout the year. Such a program helps an organization go away from a multitude of fund-raising projects and events to an effort that shows friends the ministry of giving and the blessing they can be in the lives of other people to whom they give on a regular basis.
Special Events – If properly planned, such programs as banquets, golf events, bowling programs, jog-a-thons and vehicle auctions can be of great benefit to your annual fund and capital campaign. The keys are a well conceived plan and well trained volunteers. Dickerson & Associates can provide both of these essential ingredients, as well as provide accountability and “trouble shooting” from the beginning to the end of each special event.
Development Audits – From time to time every organization needs to “step back” and undertake an independent review or audit of its development program. Dickerson & Associates provides a thorough analysis of your program based on our 25 key points that should be a part of every development department. This analysis is provided in writing so you can use it as a guide as you take the steps necessary to make your program the best it can possibly be.
Major Gift Solicitation – Whether it be a capital campaign or annual fund program, the solicitation of major or leadership gifts is absolutely essential. Dickerson & Associates teaches you how to ask for gifts via face to face meetings. In addition, we provide additional training “tools” through CD’s and written manuals that you can refer to as needed as you increase your ability in this important part of your development program. As needed, we also partner with you by assisting in major donor solicitation as appropriate to meet your development goals.
Donor Reasearch – As appropriate for each client’s situation, Dickerson & Associates can incorporate donor research programs that can provide information about prospective donors. The degree of detail can vary from simply sub-dividing a prospect list in accordance to giving potential to providing very detailed information about an individual prospect. Dickerson & Associates understands that each client is unique; and therefore, our donor research programs may or may not be incorporated depending on the desire of each client.
Follow Up – All campaigns must have a quality follow-up program to assist donors in fulfilling their commitments. Dickerson & Associates provides each client with a follow-up specialist that stays in personal contact with each client throughout the collection phase of a campaign – usually three to five years. We provide a spreadsheet to track commitment fulfillment and provide a thorough written follow-up plan that is specific to your campaign. In addition, return on-site consultation is provided as requested by each client.
Staff Training – Often an individual who has great personal skills, but no formal training is hired to be a Director of Development. Dickerson & Associates provides monthly counsel to systematically train and guide new staff members through the development process. In addition, one day seminars and CD’s on such topics as direct mail, telemarketing and working with your Board are available for immediate information and continual referral to important development topics.
Development Office Procedures – A development department cannot operate at peak production if the infrastructure is not sound. Delays in receipting, lack of proper donor management and inadequate software are just a few of the “problems” Dickerson & Associates has “fixed” over the years. This service can be incorporated into a development audit or can be provided via a one day visit with your development department.
Foundation Research – Dickerson & Associates has its own foundation division that seeks foundation opportunities for all of our clients. As “matches” are found, we can also write grant proposals that may result in significant funds for your organization.
Current Program Enhancement – Often a ministry has current needs, such as computers or equipment whose costs are more than the annual operating budget can afford. This is the time to initiate a current program enhancement campaign. This unique Dickerson & Associates program is modeled on the basics of a capital campaign in that friends are encouraged to give above normal giving – but with an immediate return on their investment. This is especially helpful with parents of students in Christian schools.
Strategic Planning – Strategic planning is the process of developing and maintaining a viable fit between the organization’s objectives and resources and its changing environment. Initially, Dickerson & Associates helps determine where an organization “is” in relationship to fulfilling its mission. Then, by leading meetings with leadership and other “stake holders” of the ministry, assists with the establishment of the organization's vision for the future. Once accomplished, Dickerson & Associates helps craft the plan that, when followed, will result in the achievement of both the short-term and long-term organizational vision.
Student Recruitment – The purpose for existence of all Christian colleges and schools is the education and training of young people. With over 50 years of experience in student recruitment, the Dickerson & Associates team will establish a program that includes a master plan for recruitment, student pool enhancement, literature creation, church programming, office systems review and volunteer and staff training.
Board Development – It is common for well intentioned Board members to not understand the role they should play as leaders of a ministry. Dickerson & Associates conducts Board training retreats and seminars, and has a CD and written manual that helps Board members begin to function as they should in all areas including development. Using our “Principle of Thirds” and emphasizing “wealth, wisdom and work,” we use a model that provides the means for your current Board to operate as it should and provides a training program for all new Board members.
Development Master Plans – Incorporating the findings of a development audit, Dickerson & Associates can write a development plan that will be unique to your organization. Based on the strengths and weaknesses determined by the audit, the master plan shows how to maximize your strengths to increase your development income while at the same time overcoming your weaknesses for future increases in income.
Church Stewardship Programs – Dickerson & Associates provides four different approaches to church campaigns based on a congregation’s size, the nature of their campaign and their previous campaign experience. There are no boiler plate approaches, but rather each of the four models is customized to fit each congregation’s “personality.” In addition, we also provide counsel for church annual budget programs to increase giving on a weekly basis. Regardless of the program, each step of the way is based on Biblical stewardship principles that focus on teaching the congregation what God’s Word says about stewardship.
Alumni Programs – Unfortunately, most Christian colleges and schools receive very little financial assistance from their alumni – often less than 12% for colleges and lower for schools. Dickerson & Associates will guide you through a series of programs that will activate your alumni to become more involved both in personal participation and financial support.
Public Relations – The first step of fund raising is public relations. Dickerson & Associates will develop your public relations strategy, write copy for newsletters and brochures, create an advertisement program and bring your organization to the attention of the public in such a way that they will respond with increased participation in special programs and donations.
Video Production – Dickerson & Associates has its own video division that produces first-class videos and DVD programs for your capital campaign, annual fund or student recruitment programs. From script writing to on-site videography to music selection to final editing, Dickerson & Associates will produce a video that tells your story and will be an essential element in increasing donations and/or student enrollment.
Literature – Dickerson & Associates writes original copy for your development and student recruitment programs. In addition we provide design templates to assist you and your printer in making decisions about the final design of your materials.
Estate & Gift Design – Assisting families to understand God’s plan for the transfer of His wealth from generation to generation is one of the most important services Dickerson & Associates can provide for your organization. In doing so, it is likely that your ministry will be the recipient of substantial gifts for your endowment and other needs. Dickerson & Associates can provide the training, written materials and the crafting of individualized estate designs that are essential to a productive estate and gift design program.
Interim Director of Development – Sometimes an organization finds itself “between” Directors of Development. While helping you search for a new Director, a Dickerson & Associates consultant can step in to fill the void to make sure your program continues unabated. This service has been used in the past for a couple months to over a year and has been responsible for not only maintaining programs, but actually growing programs during the search for a new Director
