Frankly Inspired

Free Diagnostic

Institutional Advancement Score

15 questions on gift portfolio strategy and staffing, moves management and stewardship, campaign readiness, events strategy, and planned/legacy giving, grounded in Cornell's moves-management framework, Penelope Burk's donor-centered fundraising research, AFP portfolio benchmarks, standard capital-campaign methodology, and Giving USA's bequest-giving data. Takes about 8 minutes. This is the structural companion to the Revenue & Growth Score: that tool scores your numbers, this one scores the program that produces them.

Section 1 of 5: Gift Portfolio Strategy & Staffing

How to answer: choose the level you could show evidence for
1 · Not in place
We don't do this.
2 · Talked about
Discussed or planned, but not started.
3 · Informal
It happens, but isn't written down or consistent.
4 · Documented
Written down and in regular use; you could show it.
5 · Verified
Routine and reviewed; it would hold up if a funder or board checked.

If you're between two levels, pick the lower one. An honest score is more useful than a flattering one. How scoring works.

1. Gift Portfolio Strategy & Staffing

Based on AFP's fundraising staffing and portfolio-size benchmarks.

We segment donors into clear gift levels (e.g., broad-based/annual, mid-level, major, principal) and use a different strategy for each, not one blanket approach.
Major and principal gift relationships are assigned to a specific staff member's portfolio, not left to whoever has time.
Board members and other volunteer leaders have defined roles in identifying prospects and opening doors, not just staff.

2. Moves Management & Stewardship

Based on Cornell's moves-management framework and Penelope Burk's donor-centered fundraising research.

We track donors through defined stages (e.g., identification, qualification, cultivation, solicitation, stewardship), not just "contacted" or "not."
Every gift is acknowledged promptly with more than a generic, automated receipt.
We have a deliberate stewardship plan for donors after the ask, not just before it: impact updates, personal touches, recognition tied to gift level.

3. Campaign Structure & Readiness

Based on standard capital-campaign phase methodology (feasibility, quiet phase, public phase).

Before launching a campaign, we run a real feasibility assessment (confidential interviews with top prospects), rather than setting a goal and hoping.
We understand and plan for a quiet/leadership phase, securing a strong majority of the goal from major donors before any public announcement.
We have a realistic campaign timeline and a specific, compelling case for support, not a general "help us" appeal.

4. Events as Strategy

Based on standard nonprofit fundraising event ROI benchmarks.

We track true net revenue and cost-per-dollar-raised for each event, not just gross revenue.
Our events are planned as cultivation touchpoints, with follow-up for key guests, not only as fundraising transactions.
We evaluate whether each event is worth repeating based on ROI and strategic fit, rather than running it again out of habit.

5. Planned & Legacy Giving

Based on Giving USA's bequest-giving data, the Chronicle of Philanthropy's planned-giving research, and FreeWill's donor bequest data.

We actively invite donors to consider a bequest or legacy gift, through stewardship conversations, website materials, or a named legacy society, rather than only responding if a donor raises it first.
We keep a list of likely bequest prospects based on giving history and engagement, not guesswork.
When a donor lets us know about a planned or bequest gift, we have a deliberate way to steward that commitment (recognition, updates, a legacy society) not just a thank-you and a file.