The Development Audit:
development audit: an objective
evaluation, sometimes conducted by professional fund-raising
counsel, of an organization's internal development procedures
and results.
............. The NSFRE
Fund-raising Dictionary
Sometimes, you just need to check to see that
things are going the way they were planned. That is what a
Development Audit is for.
A Development Audit is an internal assessment of your
fundraising program and your readiness to embark on new development
opportunities.
The Development Audit looks at involvement of the
board, staff and volunteers in the fundraising process and offers
recommendations on how to best use the resources available to the
ministry. It further evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of your
current development systems, including fundraising software.
The Audit also offers suggestions to help improve
donor communications and stewardship.
Many ministries consider a Development Audit when
they are:
• Preparing to embark on a major gifts, capital or
endowment campaign;
• Not satisfied with the results of their annual
giving program;
• Seeking to increase Board participation in
fundraising efforts;
• Attempting to compare their results with similar
organizations;
• Looking for an objective evaluation their
development program;
• Trying to diversify their funding streams;
• Engaged in the strategic planning process;
• Looking at restructuring their Development Office;
• Seeking to take their program to a higher level of
professionalism.
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