Ingredients That Lead to Success
• Either hire a professional or have an experienced, knowledgeable alumnus work on the campaign full-time
• Utilize, but don't rely completely on, good support publications
• Solicit all major gifts in person
• Make all solicitations for a specific amount in person or by phone.
No mail requests!
• Be persistent!

Sources of Operating Capital
• Available funds in bank accounts
• Annual fund proceeds
• A line of credit from a bank
• Loans and/or early contributions from “insiders”
• Undergraduate assessment
• Loan/grant from National/International Entity

Why Have a Professionally Managed Campaign
Time (the job will get done)
Much of the work that needs to be done is tedious and boring. Nothing makes more sense than outsourcing those tasks that need to be done but are not much fun. More importantly, volunteers often are unable to get things done due to other priorities. With FMG, your project is a priority that will not get put on hold.

Expertise (the job will get done right)
Fundraising is like building a custom home. You may only do it once in your life; it can be horribly expensive if mistakes are made; it takes a lot of time; and in the end the results are extraordinary.
Most of us wouldn’t dream of doing it without hiring an architect, contractor, and perhaps a designer. You would be involved every step of the way, and would completely do those things we enjoyed or felt strongly about (like picking out the colors), but you might leave the ditch digging to someone else. In the end you’d probably hire out some of the maintenance too.
Your campaign process is very similar. “Trial and error” is risky. Often there is only one chance to ask for a major donation or to win an alumnus’; trust after many years. “Learning experiences” can cost you your goal. You can do your own fundraising campaign, just like some build their own houses. If you decide, however, that you’d like help, FMG’s experience is second to none.

Cost Effectiveness (you’ll end up with more)
Perhaps the best reason to hire a qualified professional is that you will net more money in the end. Also, you won’t have to work as hard (though you will definitely still work!).

Continuity (the future will be insured)
The only thing worse than your project never getting done would be to do it, renew support and loyalty from alumni, have a strong undergraduate chapter, and then watch it all crumble over time. This has happened to chapters that didn’t maintain what they built.