the Laurus Group – Fundraising | Consulting

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Data Management

Do you sell our alumni lists? Is our data kept confidential?
The Laurus Group never sells or provides your alumni data to any third party except your Inter/National Headquarters. We respect your members privacy and work to ensure that all data is kept confidential.

Is our Headquarters notified about member address changes?
Yes. On a regular basis, The Laurus Group electronically transmits information to your Headquarters about the address, phone and e-mail changes made to your organization's member records. It is extremely important that the information is shared to ensure that your members continue to receive updates and news from your Inter/National headquarters.

Do you maintain e-mail addresses?
Absolutely. As part of our fundraising strategy, we employ interactive e-newsletters as a supplement to printed communication pieces. In order to be effective with the supplemental communication program, it is vital that we maintain current email addresses.

Can you help the next alumni relations officer understand the process?
Yes. Every time a new alumni relations officer takes over his or her new position, an The Laurus Group Alumni Services Manager will assist the new officer and help this individual set the schedules and priorities to properly perform his or her job. One of the benefits of using The Laurus Group is ensuring that the chapter communicates with alumni on a regular basis, year after year. We provide the consistency and professionalism you need.

Annual Campaigns

Can you help us collect alumni donations?
Yes! The Laurus Group undertakes a thorough analysis of your current program and what you want to accomplish. We will make recommendations on how to best encourage your members to either become active or take a larger role in your organization. This is accomplished through a variety of method including printed and electronic communications and establishing structure giving levels. Organizations should be willing to commit to a program for several years in order to see optimal results. While results will vary, organizations who have maintained a regular communication program can expect to raise between $3,000 and $12,000 annually.

Can alumni make contributions online?
Absolutely. The Laurus Group provides the ability for qualified groups to make donations online using American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club, as well as EFT transfers from checking and savings accounts. Members are also able to make pledges online and set up automatic recurring charges.

To be qualified to accept online donations, the organization must have an Federal Tax number or EIN and be incorporated in the state of residency. We can provide additional information and guidance on how to obtain both.

Are contributions tax deductible?
Unfortunately, in most cases contributions to fraternities and sororities are not tax deductible. The Internal Revenue Service has established specific rules about when contributions to Greek organizations are and are not tax deductible. Contributions to support a scholarship fund or educational areas within a chapter house may qualify as tax deductible but must be made through a qualified 501 (c) 3 organization.

It is important to note, however, that members will make contributions even when they do not receive a tax deduction.

What is the difference between an annual campaign and a capital campaign?
An annual campaign takes place every year where donors are asked to support the organization on a regular basis usually to pay their alumni dues and support small projects. Annual campaigns typically raise between $3,000 and $12,000 depending if any small projects are being undertaken.

Capital campaigns are one-time events and are much larger, more complex, and can raise several hundred thousand dollars up to several million dollars. These funds are typically for major projects like a new house or a major renovation. A great deal of planning goes into a capital campaign, and many alumni are involved in the process.

How are donors recognized?
The Laurus Group will develop customized recognition programs that are appropriate for your organization's particular situation. We help establish giving levels and naming opportunities. All donors are recognized via printed mailings developed for you by The Laurus Group.

Communication Production

Can we use our own printing company?
Our pricing includes layout and design along with printing and mailing of your alumni newsletter or other communication pieces. However, if you have a relationship with a local printer or an alumnus is willing to help provide those services, we can accommodate these requests. In most cases, The Laurus Group can work with your designated printer, and we will reduce our communication prices accordingly.

Are there any size or color restrictions?
There are no size or color restrictions. The Laurus Group can custom produce a publication to meet your needs and budget. It is important to keep in mind, however, that the more colors or pages you want, the more expensive the item becomes. Likewise, special paper cuts, sizes or folds cost more to print and mail.

Who writes the articles?
Typically the alumni or chapter officers will provide information either in outline form or written stories and our team of writers will format and adjust for newsletter stories. If needed, The Laurus Group can assist in gathering the required information and write the stories.

Capital Campaign

What is required to start a capital campaign?
Before beginning a capital campaign, The Laurus Group must conduct a feasibility study. Feasibility studies can take up to 6 months to complete. This includes time in the beginning to transfer and review data and begin coordinating the study visits. Prior to commencing with a feasibility study, it is important that the House Corporation or Alumni Board have a clear case statement explaining why they want to raise money and how they want to spend it. This is critical whether you are raising funds for a new house, major renovation project, or scholarship or leadership development program.

If you want to build a new house or conduct a major renovation, it is important to know the size and scope of the new house or renovation, and any architectural renderings. If you want to develop scholarship endowments, it is important to have printed guidelines for the application process and how the scholarship will be awarded.

It is important to note, however, that members will make contributions even when they do not receive a tax deduction.

How long does it take?
It typically takes upwards of 18 months to raise your capital campaign goal. The campaign is broken into 2 separate phases: The lead gift phase is composed of one-on-one lead gift solicitations. This is a critical component of the campaign as it sets the tone for the balance of the campaign; the final component is the public phase. This is where the announcement is made to all members and utilize volunteers to secure the balance of the pledges. Typically the campaign should have secured 60% of the campaign goal prior to entering the public phase.