--- title: Making the Case for a High-Performance Operations Team description: Investing in high-performance advancement teams is crucial for overcoming budget constraints, enhancing fundraising outcomes, and achieving operational excellence in nonprofit organizations. image: https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cartoon%20Creative%20(1).png --- [Skip to content](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/making-the-case-for-a-high-performance-operations-team#main-content) [![](https://hub.fundminer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Design%20Images/Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=150&height=50&name=Horizontal%20Logo.png)](https://hub.fundminer.com) - Platform - [Manage | Fund Management](https://www.fundminer.com/fund-management) - [Report | Fund Stewardship](https://www.fundminer.com/fund-stewardship-module) - [Engage | Donor Portal](https://www.fundminer.com/engage-donor-portal) - Industries - [Education](https://www.fundminer.com/education) - [Healthcare](https://www.fundminer.com/healthcare) - [Foundations](https://www.fundminer.com/community) - Resources - [Benchmarking Survey](https://www.fundminer.com/benchmarking-survey-2026) - [Case Studies](https://www.fundminer.com/case-studies) - [Maturity Assessment](https://www.fundminer.com/maturity-assessment) - [Tools and Guides](https://www.fundminer.com/industry-resources) - [The Mine Community](https://fundminer-community.circle.so/join?invitation_token=d125a3ccb5fba0a65964217281ce2b75e18636b6-5a74bd5f-4098-4f56-816c-004fdcd108cc) - Education - [Conference 2026](https://www.fundminer.com/fofm2026) - [Events & Webinars](https://www.fundminer.com/events-and-webinars) - [Newsletter: The Impact Brief](https://www.fundminer.com/the-impact-brief) - [Fund Management Masterclass](https://www.fundminer.com/masterclass) - [FundMiner Blog](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog) - Company - [About Us](https://www.fundminer.com/about-the-company) - [Partnerships](https://www.fundminer.com/partners) - [Careers](https://hub.fundminer.com/job-board) - [Login](https://fund-miner.com) - [Schedule a Call](https://www.fundminer.com/schedule-a-call-to-learn-more) # Making the Case for a High-Performance Operations Team by [Jenny Jones](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/author/jenny-jones) on July 21, 2025 [Fund Management](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/tag/fund-management) [Fundraising Technology](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/tag/fundraising-technology) [Nonprofit Best Practices](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/tag/nonprofit-best-practices) #### **Why Investing in a High‑Performance Advancement Team Is Non‑Negotiable** Advancement teams today face a perfect storm of pressures: rising public skepticism, dwindling alumni engagement and lean staff rosters struggling to keep up with growing demands. Recent data show 79% of advancement leaders cite limited budget or resources as a top challenge, while 75% report current vacancies on their team, 54% rank staffing shortages among their greatest hurdles, and 37% view hiring and retaining talent as a top three priority over the next year.  #### **The High Cost of Underinvestment** Underfunding advancement isn’t just a morale problem. It impacts the bottom line. Every $1 withdrawn from an advancement budget corresponds to an $8.25 decline in fundraising outcomes. Conversely, study after study shows that as teams add full‑time staff, production climbs and institutions with larger advancement have consistently shown to be raising more dollars. ![](https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/3201ac01-b6d2-42a6-ae76-5f26c25aa975/Screenshot%202025-07-21%20at%207.23.51%E2%80%AFAM-0669877.png/:/rs=w:1280) **The Current Operating Model is Strained**  Too often, advancement offices run leaner than they ought to:  Median team size for Fund Management Teams is just 2, and for alumni engagement is just 4 staff members.  Staff‑to‑alumni ratio stands at roughly 1:19,500 which makes personalized outreach almost impossible without technology.  With budgets shrinking since 2016, teams must find new ways to do more with less. ![](https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/3201ac01-b6d2-42a6-ae76-5f26c25aa975/Screenshot%202025-07-21%20at%207.27.14%E2%80%AFAM.png/:/rs=w:1280) **How do we Unlock Economies of Scale**  It isn’t just about adding heads; it’s about where you place them. Analysis shows that every ten additional advancement FTEs deliver on average an $0.18 return on every dollar spent—and smaller shops see even bigger marginal gains. Thoughtful staffing allocations—shifting roles toward operations and strategy—boost overall ROI.  #### **Strategies for Tackling Workforce Challenges** Advancement leaders are experimenting with new tactics to shore up capacity:  - Hybrid/remote work options to broaden talent pools - Adoption of new technologies (35% of institutions) to automate manual tasks - Outsourcing or contractor support (34%) for specialized functions - Yet nearly a quarter (24%) still prohibit any remote work, missing a key recruitment tool. #### **Aligning Strategy and Structure** A winning strategy falters without the right organizational design. When priorities shift, roles and reporting lines must, too. However, only 16% of CEOs focus on matching structure to evolving goals. And in higher education, entrenched silos further stifle collaboration.   The good news? Advancement teams can break through departmental barriers by realigning around shared goals and unified processes.  ![](https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/3201ac01-b6d2-42a6-ae76-5f26c25aa975/Screenshot%202025-07-21%20at%207.28.43%E2%80%AFAM.png/:/rs=w:1280) **Framework for Operational Excellence**  EAB’s recommended blueprint for resourcing operations rests on three pillars:  - People: Strategic staffing calibrated to your organizational needs - Process: automated and efficient fund and donor workflows - Platform: Scalable technology that automates stewardship, reconciliation and compliance, extending reach without added headcount and simplifying oversight in larger shops. ![](https://img1.wsimg.com/isteam/ip/3201ac01-b6d2-42a6-ae76-5f26c25aa975/Screenshot%202025-07-21%20at%207.29.42%E2%80%AFAM.png/:/rs=w:1280) **Telling the Story to Secure Buy‑In**  Numbers alone aren’t enough to win budget battles and convince stakeholders. You need a narrative that speaks leadership’s language. Highlight common barriers (budget, competing priorities), enlist internal champions, and anchor arguments in metrics such as:  - Percentage of funds fully utilized. - Endowed funds with published impact reports. - Time saved on quarterly reporting. - New capacity unlocked for major gift officers. Link these short‑term wins (e.g., hours saved) to long‑term outcomes (stronger donor experiences, greater fundraising capacity) to demonstrate how investment in operations directly drives ROI.  #### **Conclusion** High‑performing advancement teams are built by investing smarter in people, processes, and platforms that power performance and maximize return on every dollar spent. In an era of “less with less,” reimagining how we structure and support these teams is no longer optional, it’s become mission‑critical. --- **THANK YOU** **Let’s build a better future. Get involved!** → ***Download a free copy** of* [*The State of Fund Management and Stewardship 2025 Report.*](https://hub.fundminer.com/2025-fund-management-survey-results) → **Sign up** now to participate in next year’s [Fund Management Benchmarking & Stewardship Survey.](https://hub.fundminer.com/global-benchmarking-survey-fund-management-and-strewardship) → **Explore** [tools such as FundMiner](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-demo) to level up your fund management & stewardship. Spread the word: [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/making-the-case-for-a-high-performance-operations-team) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/making-the-case-for-a-high-performance-operations-team) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/making-the-case-for-a-high-performance-operations-team) ![Jenny Jones](https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Jones-Jenny-.jpg) #### Jenny Jones Follow me on my website Follow me on LinkedIn Jenny offers over 20 years of experience in program planning and implementation, with a knack for fostering relationships with alumni, donors, and university teams. She excels in streamlining operations, possesses comprehensive knowledge of philanthropic programs, and is skilled at building high-functioning teams. Jenny has a proven track record supporting fundraising efforts at prestigious institutions like the University of Kentucky, Duke Medicine Development and Alumni Affairs, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her diverse portfolio includes work with a wide range of institutions and active involvement in industry conferences and boards, making her a seasoned leader in the field of institutional advancement. ### Leave a comment: ## Related Articles [![](https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cartoon%20Watching%20(2).png)](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/takeaways-the-sessions-at-the-fofm-conference) ### [Takeaways the Sessions at the #FOFM Conference](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/takeaways-the-sessions-at-the-fofm-conference) The 2025 [Future of Fund Management Conference](https://hub.fundminer.com/fofm2026) brought together hundreds of advancement... by [Chelsea Lamego](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/author/chelsea-lamego) [![](https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cartoon%20Metrics%20(1).png)](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/mission-to-metrics-the-complete-guide-to-metrics-in-advancement-operations) ### [Mission to Metrics: The Complete Guide to Metrics in Advancement Operations](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/mission-to-metrics-the-complete-guide-to-metrics-in-advancement-operations) [The FundMiner Metrics Guide](https://hub.fundminer.com/resource-metrics-guide) helps organizations measure what matters, reduce inefficiencies, and... by [Haider Ali](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/author/haider-ali) [![](https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cartoon%20Board%20(2).png)](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/who-owns-the-fund-tactics-from-the-field-on-solving-fund-managements-hardest-question) ### [Who Owns the Fund? Tactics from the Field on Solving Fund Management's Hardest Question](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/who-owns-the-fund-tactics-from-the-field-on-solving-fund-managements-hardest-question) *From* [The Mine community](https://fundminer-community.circle.so/join?invitation_token=83678969d256805ad8b9ebab7bb1f69e5a4d6ea1-4becf611-af1b-4f41-8fe8-f5fa7018062c&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--u0LA7EINyEINPP7hNL9tAksK-TGNEr-GzEo8Nwmza6yUW87j9f4jt2f6votOBoZxCSZgI) *— real conversations, real institutions, real solutions.* [The Mine](https://fundminer-community.circle.so/join?invitation_token=83678969d256805ad8b9ebab7bb1f69e5a4d6ea1-4becf611-af1b-4f41-8fe8-f5fa7018062c&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--u0LA7EINyEINPP7hNL9tAksK-TGNEr-GzEo8Nwmza6yUW87j9f4jt2f6votOBoZxCSZgI) is a... by [Lasserina Dowell](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/author/lasserina-dowell) [![Horizontal Logo](https://hub.fundminer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Design%20Images/Horizontal%20Logo.png?width=300&height=100&name=Horizontal%20Logo.png "Horizontal Logo")](https://hub.fundminer.com) **Platform** [Fund Management](https://hub.fundminer.com/fund-management) [Fund Stewardship](https://hub.fundminer.com/fund-stewardship-module) [Donor Portal](https://hub.fundminer.com/engage-donor-portal) **Industries** [Education](https://hub.fundminer.com/education) [Healthcare](https://hub.fundminer.com/healthcare) [Foundations](https://hub.fundminer.com/community)   **Resources** [Maturity Assessment](https://hub.fundminer.com/fund-management-maturity-assessment) [Masterclass](https://hub.fundminer.com/fund-management-masterclass) [Guides & Tools](https://hub.fundminer.com/industry-resources) [Webinars](https://hub.fundminer.com/events-and-webinars) [Job Board](https://hub.fundminer.com/job-board) [Survey](https://hub.fundminer.com/global-benchmarking-survey-fund-management-and-strewardship) [Conference](https://hub.fundminer.com/fofm2026) [Blog](https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog) **About** [Mission](https://hub.fundminer.com/about-the-company) [Leadership](https://hub.fundminer.com/about-the-company) [Newsroom](https://hub.fundminer.com/about-the-company) [Partners](https://hub.fundminer.com/partners) [Careers](mailto:hello@fundminer.com) [LLM SiteNav](https://hub.fundminer.com/llm-knowledgebase) [Terms of Service](https://www.fundminer.com/terms-of-service-agreement-fundminer) [Privacy Policy](https://www.fundminer.com/privacy-policy) [![fundminer.com](https://hub.fundminer.com/hs-fs/hubfs/fundminer%20signature%20logo.png?width=35&height=26&name=fundminer%20signature%20logo.png "fundminer.com")](https://hub.fundminer.com) ©Copyright 2025. All rights reserved *“We are grateful to FundMiner for their innovation, vision, and creativity in delivering exceptional customer service to our donors and alleviating the workload on our small but mighty staff.”*  Vice President - Development ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Jenny Jones", "url" : "https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/author/jenny-jones" }, "dateModified" : "2025-09-22T17:25:22.306Z", "datePublished" : "2025-07-21T14:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Making the Case for a High-Performance Operations Team", "image" : [ "https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Blog%20Cartoon%20Creative%20(1).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://hub.fundminer.com/fundminer-blog/making-the-case-for-a-high-performance-operations-team", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://hub.fundminer.com/hubfs/Design%20Images/Horizontal%20Logo.png" }, "name" : "FundMiner" } } ```