Step 5: Create Individual Cultivation Plans

When the work of the prospect evaluation committee is completed, a cultivation plan is prepared, which fists the action steps required to solicit a gift from each prospect. Many prospects will fall into categories according to gift sizes, and the organ fundraising committee might wish to solicit some prospects individually while approaching others as a group. What information is needed to bring the prospect into a full understanding of the need for the organ? Who will ask for the gift? When is it appropriate to ask for the gift? Your cultivation plan will map all the steps required to move the prospective donor to the point of making a gift.

After reviewing the gift evaluations and the prospect cultivation plans, the organ fundraising committee can determine the information and activities needed to "make the case" for the new organ: What information should be included in weekly church bulletins? in the church newsletter? in displays? in brochures? in direct mailing of information packages? etc.