Other Considerations

Screening Lists that Maximize the Outcome

Who Makes the List:

• Known major gift prospects

• Highly rated (by vendor/electronic screening) unknown prospects

• Class/Sorority/Fraternity/Honorary mates

Customizing for Screeners

• Prospects (within the categories above) who live in the same zip/postal code region

• Individuals working in the same industry/profession (use SIC codes)

• Use the reunion year and the 1-2 years prior and after the graduation year of the screener

Consider These Additional Things

• Your Host - He/She should be a leader in his/her community, so that an invitation from that person will draw valuable raters ---- people who can give you information and be cultivated at the same time.
   

• The session:
  - Should be no longer than 2 hours in length
  - Locate it at a place that people can get to from work
  - Make it on a Wednesday or a Thursday evening --- It's not a party, it's a work session
  - Don't serve alcohol --- ditto on the work session
  - Decide whether or not you'll ask your guests to work silently --- talking amongst themselves has advantages (you can overhear some valuable information, and they can jog each others' memories) and disadvantages (they don't finish)
   

• Get your results tabulated in a timely manner, so that:
  - The development officer can work with the volunteer solicitors ASAP
  - New prospects are researched and passed on to the development staff
  - The host feels like they made an important contribution to the organization (the development person gives them a summary of the value of the exercise)
   

• Make sure that everyone is THANKED and kept informed appropriately