Federation’s Annual Campaign was built on the dedication of lay leaders who reached out to friends and community members to encourage support. For most of our 100+ year history, the vast majority of donor cards were closed by lay solicitors. Just as professional staff are assigned to solicit individual donors, many lay leaders also “take cards,” accepting responsibility for soliciting specific individuals.

As recently as 10 years ago, nearly 75% of donors were solicited by lay volunteers. Today, that number has reversed. Outside of a few dozen key relationships, most lay-led solicitations now occur through the structures of NEXTGen Detroit and Women’s Philanthropy.

While professional fundraisers bring important advantages—particularly their ability to steward donors year-round and drive consistent growth in giving—lay solicitors remain one of our most effective tools for engaging new donors and strengthening communal bonds.

• Lay solicitors are responsible to contacting and closing gifts from their assigned donors
• Solicitors should maintain open communication about the status of gifts with their
• Federation professional point person
  Solicitors utilize Federation’s campaign materials, including the annual Case for Giving, to bring in campaign gifts
• Communicate positive and negative issues donors are having to the staff in order for them to be addressed