How to Set Goals for Workplace Campaigns
Setting realistic and achievable goals is important to hosting a successful workplace giving campaign. One way to evaluate your workplace campaign objectives is to set “SMART” goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Based.
S is for Specific
The first step in defining your fundraising goal is to make it specific. It’s more than just saying, “we want to increase giving over last year.” Being specific in the context of fundraising means being clear about your financial goal and what that goal will do for the community.
Remember to share your goal in communications and during events, and be sure to make it visible to every employee.
M is for Measurable
Having a measurable goal means that when the workplace campaign is over, you will be able to measure dollars raised, number of participants, average per capita gift, percent participation, and returning participants.
To determine whether your goal can be measured, consider:
How much you want to raise
Who will be tracking the progress toward the goal
How you will know when you reach or surpass your goal
Tracking is necessary for both the campaign coordinator and the participants, since it gives a clear picture on progress during the campaign. Not only is measuring your goal a great motivator, but it can also help boost team morale.
Use our Goal Setting Worksheet to maximize the success of your workplace campaign.
A is for Achievable
Your fundraising goal should be achievable — stay away from lofty, unattainable goals. You will need to consider any company changes that may affect campaign results, such as company re-organization or a change in the number of employees. Nothing brings down morale faster than not meeting your goal.
R is for Relevant
You’ve established how much you need to raise and how you will measure it. Now it is time to identify the “why” behind your fundraising goal. Relevance is necessary for fundraising; maybe you’ve identified a community need you’re trying to fill or you want to support a certain number of organizations.
Maybe you’ve joined CHC to build stronger, healthier communities and ensure individuals, children and families are healthy. Maybe certain health challenges affect your employees and their loved ones, and your “why” is to provide healing and hope to those affected.
T is for Time-Based
The final factor to consider when creating your goal is time. Your campaign must have a firm start and end date. Having a timeline for your campaign also makes it easy to check your progress toward your goal. A visible deadline can be a powerful motivator for participants.
When establishing your campaign timeline, consider:
Your start date
Your end date
Where you should be at important points during your campaign
Having a timeline can keep the campaign on track for success. If you’re close to the end of the campaign and the donations aren’t coming in, you’ll know to amplify your fundraising and communication strategies.