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What if mentorship could help you grow your career, and your fundraising bottom line? This week, I'm joined by the amazing Ken Miller, CFRE—a powerhouse in the nonprofit world and a true advocate for professional growth. Ken is the president of Denali FSP Fundraising & Grant Consultants, a fundraising consultancy he founded in 2014 after a long and successful career in development. He's also deeply involved in leadership roles with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and other organizations working to advance equity and excellence in philanthropy.In our conversation, Ken shares his wisdom on mentoring, coaching, and workplace sponsorship—three powerful tools for helping fundraising professionals thrive. We explore what makes these relationships so valuable, how to find the right mentors and sponsors, and why they're game-changers for anyone looking to grow in their career. Ken also opens up about his personal journey, lessons learned, and his passion for mentoring the next generation of nonprofit leaders.If you're in the nonprofit sector—or considering it—this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration to help you take your career to the next level.Connect with Ken on LinkedIn. What You'll Learn in This Episode:The difference between mentoring, coaching, and sponsorship—and why all three matter.How to find mentors and sponsors who align with your goals and values.Why workplace sponsors can open doors that mentorship alone might not.Ken's personal insights on supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion through mentorship.Practical tips for mentoring others and building meaningful professional relationships.
is an accomplished fundraising executive and the author of . A book aimed at helping unemployed professionals navigate the challenges of a sudden job loss, she shares her experiences working at the top of billion-dollar organizations, stories of accomplished women who were suddenly severed from their organizations, and how they navigated their way back to success. Robin examines the struggles of separating one's identity from one's career and how one can rediscover and reconnect with one's value after job loss. Robin shared her journey from an early tough childhood in Philadelphia to a successful career in fundraising for institutions like NYU, Rutgers, and a leading New York hospital. She discusses the emotional and professional impact of job loss and the importance of maintaining one's personal value and identity independent of one's career while offering insights on effective career reinvention. Robin provides practical strategies for anyone facing career transitions, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and continuous learning. She frequently speaks at national conferences on fundraising and women's leadership. In this week's learn more about Robin's journey: Robin has served as a board member for three nonprofits in New York City, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), New York City Chapter; the New York Women's Agenda; and Women In Development, New York (WID). Her short fiction has been published in various literary magazines. Involuntary Exit is her first nonfiction book. Learn more and connect with Robin here:
Dr. Beverly A Browning, author of Grant Writing for Dummies, joins me on Somewhere in the Middle Dr. Beverly A. Browning has been consulting in the areas of grant writing, RFP responses, technical writing, and organizational development for over four decades. Her clients have included Tribal nations, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, career, volunteer, and combination fire departments; chambers of commerce, faith-based organizations, and units of government including state and federal government agencies; school districts and colleges; charter schools, social and human service agencies, hospitals, service associations, and Fortune 500 corporations. Dr. Browning has assisted clients and workshop participants throughout the United States in receiving awards of more than $500 million. Dr. Browning is the author of 43 grant-related publications, including six editions (over 1 million books sold) of Grant Writing for Dummies™ (Wiley.com). She is also an international trainer and keynote speaker. In 2015, she was selected by the Centers for Disease Control NICRD division to conduct a five-day Grant Writing Boot Camp in South Africa for ministers of health and other top-level health directors from 23 African countries. Dr. Browning holds graduate and post-graduate degrees in Organizational Development, Public Administration, and Business Administration. She has been a grant writing course developer and online facilitator for Cengage Learning (www.ed2go.com) for 19 years. Her online courses (taught to thousands of students annually) are Advanced Proposal Writing, Becoming a Grant Writing Consultant, and A to Z Grant Writing: Part 2 – Beyond the Basics. Dr. Browning is the Founder and Director of the Grant Writing Training Foundation and CEO of Bev Browning, LLC. She has been a member of the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) for 17 years and has presented training workshops and keynote presentations for multiple GPA chapters Nationwide. In 2017, she joined the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and was a workshop presenter at their 2018 International conference in New Orleans. She is an approved trainer for GPA and CFRE International. Dr. Browning has been married to John for 54 years and has one daughter, Lara, a licensed therapist, and a special needs granddaughter, Aaliyah.
Summary Amy Brand, CEO of Philanthropy Tank, discusses the organization's mission to empower the next generation of leaders in the nonprofit sector. Philanthropy Tank works with high school students to develop and launch their own social impact programs. The students go through a rigorous application process and receive funding and mentorship to bring their ideas to life. The program focuses on teaching leadership skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. Philanthropy Tank has seen success with many of its programs becoming formal 501(c)(3) organizations. The organization is also expanding to new cities, with plans to launch in Chicago. Takeaways Philanthropy Tank empowers high school students to develop and launch their own social impact programs. The program focuses on teaching leadership skills, collaboration, and critical thinking. Many of the programs started through Philanthropy Tank have become formal 501(c)(3) organizations. The organization is expanding to new cities, with plans to launch in Chicago. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IMPACTability and Philanthropy Tank 06:19 In Pursuit of Greatness: Guiding the Next Generation of Leaders 13:45 Empowering Change Makers: The Mission of Philanthropy Tank 26:42 Supporting the Leaders of Our Next Generation Guest Bio Amy Brand has over 25 years of nonprofit experience in the South Florida community. She received her bachelor's degree from the University of Florida and her Masters in Nonprofit Management from Florida Atlantic University. Amy's first professional nonprofit position was as the Area Development Director of the Broward County American Cancer Society. In 2001, she moved to Bethesda Hospital Foundation and worked with the organization for almost 13 years serving in various capacities including Special Events Director, Corporate Partners Director and Major Gifts Director. From there, Amy served as the Chief Development Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County where through strategic partnerships and donor relations, she increased revenue over 500%. Amy now serves as the CEO of Philanthropy Tank, an organization dedicated to working with teens to develop student-driven, sustainable programs that create solutions and address issues facing their communities. She oversees operations in Palm Beach County and Baltimore, as well as future expansion efforts. Amy is the past president of the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Foundation, past president of the Association for Women in Communications (AWC), Atlantic Florida Chapter serving Broward, Dade, and Palm Beach counties, as well as a past president of the Palm Beach County chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP.) She is a graduate of Leadership Palm Beach County and a sustaining member of the Junior League of Boca Raton. She received her designation as a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) in September 2013 and was awarded Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2020 by AFP Palm Beach County. She currently serves as a co-chair of the Leadership Palm Beach County Grow program, a leadership program for high school juniors from area schools. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
A vibrant conversation with Mike Geiger, President and CEO of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). You'll discover how Geiger's career, marked by unexpected opportunities and strategic pivots, exemplifies the dynamic nature of nonprofit leadership. Learn about AFP's huge role in enhancing fundraising practices, its commitment to ethical standards, and its proactive approach to addressing the quickly evolving needs of fundraisers and philanthropy. Mike shares valuable perspectives on embracing technological changes and preparing for future trends in giving. Mike's career trajectory, sprinkled with serendipitous turns, highlights a journey not guided by a rigid plan but by grabbing opportunities that aligned with his ethos. He amusingly recounted, "I wasn't planning on getting my MBA, but then I did," illustrating how unplanned paths often lead to fulfilling destinations. Mike, who also holds a CPA, points us to the importance of flexibility and openness in professional growth. He pointed out, "Being open, having a growth mindset, and when there's opportunities that fit into what your life ethos is, then you take those." This mindset has seen him evolve from pursuing advanced degrees to dedicating his career to the nonprofit sector, demonstrating an adaptive journey fueled by unexpected yet welcome shifts. At the heart of this discussion is AFP's role as a cornerstone in the fundraising community, boasting nearly 30,000 members and around 200 chapters globally. Mike proudly explained the organization's mission, "We provide education on best practices, we focus on improving the skills that our members have in the fundraising area but also in other areas." He stresses the multifaceted roles fundraisers often play, whilst highlighting the critical need for continuous professional development. Continuing, Mikes digs into the evolving landscape of fundraising, particularly how technological advancements and changing demographics are shaping new strategies. The conversation touches on AFP's ethical framework, foundational since 1960, which continues to guide fundraisers in their professional conduct. Mike offers an optimistic view of the future of fundraising, citing research predicting a rebound in philanthropic giving. He spends time explaining the importance of adapting to the philanthropic inclinations of younger generations like millennials and Gen Z, who are poised to play a significant role in future giving trends. This learning episode is a compelling blend of personal anecdotes and professional insights, offering a window into the agile and ever-evolving world of nonprofit management and fundraising.Watch on Video!Follow us on the Twitter: @Nonprofit_ShowSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show
In this episode, the host discusses leadership with Dan Blakemore, the vice president of philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park. They explore the qualities of a good leader, the importance of adapting to change, and the commitment to learning. They also discuss how leaders can motivate their teams and embrace new technologies. The conversation concludes with a discussion on succession planning and measuring the social impact of nonprofit work.TakeawaysA good leader is someone who lives the mission, encourages others, and leads by example.Leaders need qualities such as good relationship management, the ability to take direction, strategic thinking, and inclusivity.Leaders must be open to new ideas and adapt to changes in the nonprofit sector.Succession planning is important for ensuring the continuity of leadership within an organization.Measuring the social impact of nonprofit work involves setting smart objectives, distinguishing between outputs and outcomes, and being transparent with stakeholders.Dan Blakemore, CFRE is Vice President of Philanthropy at the Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park.Throughout his more than 15 years in non-profit fundraising, he has worked in museums, the performing arts and higher education. Dan is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), where he serves as the U.S. Political Action Committee Vice Chair and a member of the Government Relations Committee. He is a board member and past President of AFP's Northeast Ohio Chapter. Dan serves his community as a Diversity on Board Coach with Leadership Akron, as a Trustee of the African American Archives Auxiliary at Western Reserve Historical Society, and on the boards of Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and the National Park Friends Alliance. He is a proud graduate of both Howard University and New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.He lives in Northeast Ohio with his wife and three young kids.Chapters00:33 Guest Introduction01:32 Defining a Good Leader03:09 Adapting to Change04:03 Commitment to Learning05:23 Staying Connected in a Pandemic06:20 Motivating the Team08:19 Embracing New Technologies09:37 Succession Planning16:09 Identifying Future Leaders35:15 Coaches Corner: “how can we effectively measure the social impact of our nonprofit's work?“Leave a review! Reviews are hugely important because they help new people discover this podcast. If you enjoyed listening to this episode, please leave a review.Like this episode? Subscribe to our podcast on Apple, Spotify, or your favorite podcasting app.Got a question that you'd like to ask a nonprofit professional? Email your questions to IMPACTcoaches@IMPACTability.net and listen to next episode to see if your question gets answered!This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Chartable - https://chartable.com/privacy
Joe Manok is the Vice President for University Advancement at Clark University where he provides executive leadership to all aspects of fundraising, corporate and foundation relations, and alumni engagement.Prior to joining Clark, Joe held senior-level positions for eight years in the Office of Resource Development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as part of the MIT's $6.2 billion Campaign for a Better World. Most recently serving as senior director of philanthropic partnerships. Before joining MIT, Joe worked between 2003 and 2014 at the Office of Development of the American University of Beirut (AUB). He served as associate director of development for major gifts and advancement services in New York, and as the assistant director for development services in Beirut.Joe earned his Bachelor of Science in computer science from AUB and is working toward his Master of Science in nonprofit management from Northeastern University. He is a certified fundraising executive through CFRE International and completed an executive certification in strategy and innovation at MIT's Sloan School of Management. He sits on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in Massachusetts and has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) with the Rising Star Award for his consistently high level of professional achievement and commitment to the advancement profession.
Published: September 20, 2022 We are currently experiencing the “Great Transfer of Wealth,” and over the next few decades, financial experts predict that between $40 trillion and $140 trillion will be passed from one generation to the next. Up to one-third of this wealth will be transferred to nonprofits through planned giving. We are joined today by Renée Underwood, CFRE, the Chief Development Officer for the Diocese of Fort Worth's Advancement Foundation who will share advice and her experience with facilitating Planned Gifts for Parishes and her Diocese. This episode was recorded on July 29, 2022. Pre-order the new book “The Generosity Crisis” by Authors Brian Crimmins, Nathan Chappell, and Michael Ashley on Amazon by clicking here. Send us a question about the new book, the Generosity Crisis for our upcoming interview with Brian Crimmins and Nathan Chappell by sending Jim Friend an email. Join Jim Friend at the new Catholic Crypto Conference on November 17-18, 2022, in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. Join Changing Our World at the International Catholic Stewardship Conference on October 2-5, 2022, in Anaheim. Stop by our booth and visit with Jim Friend, Tom Farrell and Anna Vallez. About Renée Underwood, CFRE, has served in stewardship, development, and Catholic foundation management roles for dioceses since 2009. As Chief Development Officer of the Diocese of Fort Worth Advancement Foundation, she has responsibility for annual and planned giving, endowment funds and capital campaigns. The current Region X Board Representative to the International Catholic Stewardship Council, Renée has extensive board experience for nonprofit organizations. She currently serves on the executive committees of Lone Star Council Charitable Gift Planners, Fort Worth Metro Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Fort Worth Serra Club, and the Southwestern Lieutenancy of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. Prior to her nonprofit career, Renée served in advertising, marketing and executive management roles. She holds a bachelor's degree from Texas Tech University, an MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas and has completed additional graduate studies toward a Master's Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University New Orleans. Renée is a widow, a mother of two sons, a grandmother of three and a spiritual director. Watch the Video Presentation of this Conversation https://youtu.be/14YWo2yYO4s Recorded July 29, 2022 Don't miss Changing Our World's FORGING FORWARDDon't miss the webinar series FORGING FORWARD, a virtual philanthropic conference designed to bring you nonprofit experts from around the country who are leading through the COVID-19 crisis. Daily Spiritual Reflection and Prayers on “Kristin's Crosses” Join Jim and Kristin Friend and their family on Kristin's Crosses YouTube Channel for “Today's Catholic Prayers.” Jim and Kristin offer the daily Gospel and Reflection along with the Rosary and Catholic Prayers of the day. Click here to visit the YouTube Page and subscribe. If you would like to join the Kristin's Crosses prayer group on Facebook, click here to request to join.
Emily and I talk about preparing for fiscal year end, annual giving trends and changes, and her passion for leadership. Emily Kernan is the Executive Director of The Penn Fund at the University of Pennsylvania, where she oversees all annual giving efforts primarily engaging undergraduate alumni. She previously led the annual fund team at Rice University and started her career in development at Lafayette College. Emily has remained committed to annual giving throughout her professional life because she loves building relationships with donors and volunteers at every level as well as collaborating with almost every other team across development in some way. She is a volunteer herself as a member of the Board of Trustees for the Philadelphia Ballet and the outgoing Chair of the Annual Giving Directors Consortium (AGDC). Emily holds a BA in English from Binghamton University (SUNY) and an MS in Nonprofit Leadership from Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice. Her instructional experience includes presenting for AGN, CASE, and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), teaching about annual giving at Rice's Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership, and being a course assistant for a class on human-centered design through Penn's School of Social Policy and Practice. She lives in Philadelphia with her two cats—Alvin and Simon. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/devdebrief/support
Host Jarrett Ransom gets help from LaShonda Williams, CFRE, and trainer at Fundraising Academy. The two provide practical advice for nonprofit professionals who asked questions seeking to improve their organizations' public image, transparency, and engagement with stakeholders.The conversation begins with a question about low-cost and easily implementable strategies to improve a nonprofit's public image. LaShonda suggests highlighting prominent donors and sharing personal interest stories about their contributions. She emphasizes the importance of developing a communication plan, including social media, newsletters, and direct mail. LaShonda also recommends reaching out to local nonprofit associations for sample toolkits and guidance.Next, there is a question about steps to improve transparency in a nonprofit. LaShonda advises creating an annual impact report, providing donor reports, and updating the website with information on how funds are used. She suggests adhering to local guidelines, seeking feedback from constituents, and involving the board in developing a comprehensive transparency plan.The discussion then moves to a question about staying updated on state policies related to a nonprofit. LaShonda recommends starting with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and local AFP chapters to identify state regulations. She suggests cross-checking information with internal audits, seeking guidance from professional auditors specializing in the nonprofit sector, and reaching out to nonprofit alliances for advocacy support.Lastly, there is a question about the ideal number of impact stats to present to donors. LaShonda advises prioritizing essential data points and presenting them consistently over time. She recommends using simple language and creating infographics to enhance understanding. Jarrett adds that asking donors and stakeholders for their preferences can help refine the data presentation.Throughout this fast-paced episode, Jarrett and LaShonda emphasize the importance of engaging stakeholders, seeking feedback, and demonstrating accountability to donors. They highlight the value of transparency, effective communication plans, and collaboration with other organizations and alliances in the nonprofit sector.Watch on video: https://bit.ly/3JumvtxFollow us on the Twitter: @Nonprofit_ShowSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show
Host Jarrett Ransom and guest host/trainer Jack Alotto CFRE answer questions received from viewers this week. Beginning with a question from a development director who has been asked to consult for a similar nonprofit in another region. Jack advises that it is not necessarily a conflict of interest but recommends having a code of conduct in place and not sharing donor information without permission. They discuss the importance of competence in consulting and the need to avoid advertising services one is not proficient in. They also highlight the significance of reviewing the organization's conflict of interest policies and adhering to ethical standards, such as those outlined by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).The next question is about allocating funding for internal professional development and training in a nonprofit. Jack suggests asking staff for their professional development goals and allocating resources accordingly. He emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for growth and learning, not just within the fundraising department but also in other areas of the organization. Jarrett adds that there are numerous free resources available and mentions an upcoming webinar with the Fundraising Academy.The third question addresses setting up a subgroup of nonprofit marketing professionals within a state nonprofit association. Both hosts support the idea of subgroups as they provide educational opportunities and diverse perspectives. They express confusion over the drama surrounding this proposal and speculate that it may be related to concerns about monetization or control. They encourage the association to allow the subgroup to form and leverage the benefits it can bring.Lastly, they discuss an annual pay raise for C-suite nonprofit executives. Jack expresses his dislike for across-the-board raises and advocates for pay raises based on job performance. He believes that incentivizing high performers and aligning pay raises with individual goals and job descriptions is more effective. Jarrett shares a case where a percentage of pay raise was allocated across the organization, but supervisors had the discretion to give additional raises based on performance. They emphasize the need to consider compression and the importance of transparency in discussing pay within an organization.Watch on video: https://bit.ly/443lyjFThe Nonprofit Show is the ultimate resource for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact, bringing together leaders and professionals from the nonprofit and social impact sector in fast-paced, 30-minute episodes featuring a wide range of expert guests. From money management to mission-critical topics, TheNonprofitShow.com offers the information and strategies you need to succeed.Follow us on the Twitter: @Nonprofit_ShowSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show
In this episode of The Nonprofit Show, co-hosts Jarrett Ransom and Muhi Khwaja tackle viewer questions, providing valuable answers and guidance. One viewer seeks advice on getting board members to meet in person instead of relying solely on virtual meetings. Muhi suggests a hybrid approach, allowing board members to choose between in-person and virtual attendance. He emphasizes the benefits of face-to-face interaction and suggests setting a precedent by having board leadership attend in person.Another viewer shares their concern about an employee mistreating a volunteer at an event. Both co-hosts agree that the incident should be reported to the volunteer coordinator or senior leadership within the organization. They stress the importance of addressing such behavior promptly and maintaining a respectful environment for all volunteers.A viewer from Chicago raises the issue of financial transparency within their nonprofit. They believe the finance department should share more than just revenue information. Muhi suggests including expense details in annual reports and utilizing the publicly accessible Form 990, which provides financial statements. Jarrett adds that board reports often contain relevant financial information and recommends reaching out to the finance department for access to this data.The final question expresses concern about lacking a college education and how it may hinder their advancement in the nonprofit sector. Muhi advises pursuing certificate programs in nonprofit leadership or fundraising and taking advantage of free resources like webinars. He also suggests finding mentors in the field and seeking professional development opportunities within their current organization. Jarrett shares her own experience, highlighting that passion and natural abilities can be more valuable than a degree when it comes to hiring in the fundraising sector. She mentions the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and Young Nonprofit Professional Networks (YNPN) as valuable resources for career development.Watch on video: https://bit.ly/45xgl58The Nonprofit Show is the ultimate resource for anyone seeking to make a meaningful impact, bringing together leaders and professionals from the nonprofit and social impact sector in fast-paced, 30-minute episodes featuring a wide range of expert guests. From money management to mission-critical topics, TheNonprofitShow.com offers the information and strategies you need to succeed.Tune in each weekday to hear from guest experts on topics ranging from nonprofit boards, foundations, grant funding, and volunteer management to donor relations and fundraising. Gain valuable insights from legal and tax professionals, marketing experts, grant writers, philanthropy donors, and more.And if you're looking for even more resources, check out the American Nonprofit Academy for news, inspiration, and training to help you make a difference in your community.Follow us on the Twitter: @Nonprofit_ShowSend us your ideas for Show Guests or Topics: HelpDesk@AmericanNonprofitAcademy.comVisit us on the web:The Nonprofit Show
About ReshundaDr. Reshunda Mahone is the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Alumni Engagement and Annual Giving at North Carolina State University. With over twenty years of advancement and development experience, she has supported every aspect of higher education fundraising. Dr. Mahone has previously held fundraising roles at Emory University, Virginia State University, Spelman College, the University of Miami, Georgia State University, and the University of Central Florida. She began her career in advancement at her alma mater, the University of Florida. She has expertise in campaign fundraising, data analytics, diversity, equity, and inclusion in philanthropy, leadership development, and operational optimization.She is an active member of the Council for the Advancement & Support of Education (CASE) District III Board, and has previously served CASE on the Commission on Philanthropy and the Minority Serving Institution Advisory Board. Dr. Mahone also serves as the chair of the African American Development Officers (AADO) Network board and previously served on the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) boards for the Central Virginia, Greater Atlanta, and the Miami chapters. Dr. Mahone earned an Ed.D. from Virginia Commonwealth University, an MBA from the University of Central Florida, a B.S. in Decision and Information Sciences from the University of Florida, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive.
In This Episode . . . This episode features the brilliant Lenita Dunlap, Principal at Not Just Fundraising, as she discusses what it means to cut through the chaos. Lenita tells us what led her to provide trauma-informed care, the world of nonprofits, and her mission to provide access to mental health and equitable education for marginalized communities. Meet Lenita Dunlap: Known as The Chaos Whisperer, Lenita loves working through crisis situations and helping individuals and organizations experience freedom. She has such a heart for the third sector and believes we can truly change the world with proper resources and support. Lenita's an advocate for change and will help leaders achieve their goals. For the past 20 years, Lenita has dedicated her life to service and advocacy for access to mental health and equitable education for marginalized communities through working in educational and nonprofit organizations that uplift and empower young people and their families. As a consultant and thought partner, she specializes in guiding teams through crisis situations and introducing their missions to various stakeholders. As a Community Development and Mental Health expert, Lenita combines research, policy, and expertise to empower, motivate, and rally teams through facilitation and leadership development. Lenita's commitment to mental health access was birthed from advocating for her family's mental health journey. She witnessed firsthand the difficulty in finding proper support, as well as the lack of affordability, diversity, and cultural competency needed to create safe psychological spaces for healing. Leveraging this experience led her to revamp a failing after-school program to a creative and innovative after-school program based on research centered around the effects of trauma on refugee children. Instead of focusing solely on academics, she introduced trauma-informed care to the refugee serving space within after-school work that later received international recognition and accolades. In this previous leadership role, Lenita grew the organization's annual budget by 300% within five years, led a rebranding campaign, expanded program reach, garnered international attention, and earned certification for all sites. Lenita was a featured speaker at the 2019 Australia and New Zealand Refugee Trauma Recovery in Resettlement Conference in Brisbane, Australia, and the North American Refugee Health Conference in Toronto, Canada. Both platforms provided an opportunity to share her unique perspective. Her presentation highlights included addressing mental health during after-school programming, diving deeper into the effects of trauma on the brain in the context of refugees, and observing different models of implementation for various therapies. She has also co-led and facilitated presentations for the local and global chapters for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Within these platforms, she taught participants how to diversify their board and staff, pivot and twirl during challenging times, and shared with nonprofit leaders the need to SLOW DOWN, BREATHE AND CELEBRATE. Currently, VP of Operations at Abide Women's Health and as a PhD student in Public Administration and Policy at the University of Texas at Arlington researching burnout, refugee resettlement, equity, and, leadership, Lenita understands the trials and triumphs of nonprofit leaders not only practically but theoretically. She holds two masters: one in Education and the other Public Administration. Lenita also earned certificates in nonprofit management and marketing from the Center for Nonprofit Management. Episode Highlights: (4:05) Cutting through the chaos; (12:59) What do you need as a leader; (17:52) What's happening to our leadership pipeline?; (22:00) Healthy...
Birgit Smith Burton is a respected leader in the fundraising profession who has raised more than $500 million during her 33-year career. As the executive director of foundation relations at the Georgia Institute of Technology, she led her team in raising $309 million toward the Institute's most recent successful $1.8 billion capital campaign.Birgit is a well-regarded speaker on the topics of fundraising and diversity. She has authored articles on diversity in the fundraising profession, co-authored the book, The Philanthropic Covenant with Black America, and contributed to the book Five Minutes for Fundraising, A Collection of Expert Advice. Birgit is honored to tell her personal story in the book Collecting Courage, which shares the lived experiences of Black women and men working in the nonprofit and charitable space (published fall 2020). She was proud to be selected by Georgia Tech leadership to participate in the first cohort of Leading Women @ Tech, which identified the next community of leaders who will guide the institution in the 21st century. Birgit also was chosen as one of the 2020 Faces of Inclusive Excellence, recognizing faculty, staff, and students who are committed to gender diversity, equity, and inclusion.Birgit serves on the global board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and recently was voted as the chair-elect for 2021. She has the distinction of being the first African American woman in AFP's 60-year history to serve in this role. Birgit is the immediate past chair of the IDEA Committee (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access). She also chairs the A.E. Lowe Grice Scholarship Fund, serves on the Hosea Helps board of directors, and advises the Aspen Leadership Group. Birgit is the founder of AADO, the African American Development Officers Network, which for 23 years has provided professional development, education, employment support, mentorship, and networking opportunities for fundraisers of color. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.Birgit earned a bachelor's degree in media communications from Medaille College in Buffalo, New York.
Fundraising is a fundamental and ever changing part of nonprofit life. In the Permian Basin, we have access to a network of fundraising professionals through the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). In this episode, hear from the 2022 AFP Permian Basin President, Melanie Saiz, and learn more about our local chapter and fundraising strategies. In this episode: Association of Fundraising Professionals Permian Basin Chapter (Click on Philanthropy Day to learn more about the Nov. 15, 2022 luncheon.) https://community.afpnet.org/afptxpermianbasinchapter/home Association of Fundraising Professionals Global: https://afpglobal.org/ Centers for Children and Families: https://centerstx.org/
In today's episode, Kelly, Chris, and Rosemary talk about finally getting back out to conferences this year. Tune in to learn what they've learned at conferences so far and what they're looking forward to at the rest of the conferences they're attending before the end of 2022. Resources mentioned in today's episode: Election Verification Network (EVN) - https://electionverification.org/ - March 2022 Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) - https://afpicon.com/recap - May 2022 Washington State Association of County Auditors (WSACA) - https://wsaca.org/Events/ - June 2022 League of Women Voters (LWV) Convention - https://www.lwv.org/events/2022-national-convention - June 2022 National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS) Summer Conference - https://www.nass.org/events/nass-2022-summer-conference - July 2022 National Association of State Election Directors (NASED) Summer Conference - https://www.nased.org/-conferences - July 2022 National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) Summit - https://www.ncsl.org/meetings-training/ncsl-legislative-summit-2022.aspx - August 2022 Election Center - https://www.electioncenter.org/ - August 2022
In this crossover podcast with The Nonprofit Podcast, Cara Augspurger interviews Josiah Haken (me) about his journey from kitchen salesman, to Starbucks barista, to outreach worker, to CEO. We discuss the root causes of homelessness and the impact of holistic engagement and care coordination. Who is Cara Augspurger? A long-time development professional, Cara currently serves as Fundraising Coach for fundraising software platform, Donorbox, and focuses on fundraising consulting with nonprofits of all sizes, specializing in project management and fundraising strategy. Her expertise is in coaching, annual fundraising, project management, and communications. She has both a BS and Ed.M. from the University of Illinois, with specialized study of adult learning. She also earned her Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) and Project Management Professional (PMP) credentials. She is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and is actively involved with organizations focused on providing relief from homelessness and food insecurity in Indianapolis and New York City. Link: The Nonprofit Podcast https://thenonprofitpodcast.buzzsprout.com
How can white women use their privilege, power and voices to combat systemic racism? In her most recent article “The Issue of Well-Meaning White Women in Fundraising”, Liz LeClair once again got our attention by boldly tabling a topic we all need to think more about. How do we find our voices when we are so unsure about what to say? How might we encourage more white women and men to advocate for social justice and a more diverse equitable inclusive and accessible charitable sector? Can we build alliances to do it, or do we need to charge forward boldly? Is it possible to do both? For years Liz LeClair has been a vocal, strong voice for human rights, gender equality and social justice. Liz is often accused of being polarizing, divisive and combative. In this episode, we sat down with Liz to learn more about her and why she works so hard to push so many of us out of our comfort zone. Liz is proud to call herself a fundraiser and a feminist. She brings more than 15 years of experience to her role as the Director of Major Gifts at the QEII Foundation in Halifax, Nova Scotia (located in the unceded territory of Mi'kma'ki). Liz is a long-standing member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the current chair of the AFP Women's Impact Initiative (WII). She sits on the board of CFRE International and has done so since 2018. In January 2019, Liz published an op-ed with CBC on rampant issue of sexual harassment in the non-profit sector, putting a face to the issue. In the fall of 2019 Liz helped co-found the National Day of Conversation to highlight the issue of sexualized violence in fundraising. Liz is committed to speaking up about the challenges facing women and marginalized individuals in the non-profit sector. Here are links to the articles and books mentioned in our conversation. Charity eNEWS Op Ed: the issue of Well-Meaning White Women in Fundraising. Sexual Harassment Runs Rampant in non-profits and it is time for our #MeToo moment. CBC Nova Scotia May 12, 2021: One woman's frustrating, futile fight for justice after being sexually harassed. Robin DiAngelo: New Yorker Article on White Fragility. The Ethical Rainmaker Podcast - Conversation with Fluer Larson
Interview with Cherian Koshy CFRE (USA) - The Director of Development at Des Moines Performing Arts and an internationally recognised speaker, author, and thought-leader in the nonprofit sector. Cherian also serves on numerous boards and is a Global Board Member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Cherian's sustainable development models once took a struggling nonprofit organisation from five to seven-figure revenues in less than five years. Sections included in this episode: Section 1: Reflecting on Cherian's early years working in fundraising and learning from past mistakes Section 2: What the role of Director of Development at Des Moines Performing Arts entails and how he and his team have innovated during Covid-19 Section 3: An overview of Cherian's successful fundraising models which once took a struggling organisation from a five figure organisation to a seven figure revenue organisation Section 4: Professional development advice for aspiring fundraising leaders Section 5: Looking back at Cherian's most successful fundraising campaign to be part of Sections 6: Cherian's final advice to inspire and fulfil fundraisers and nonprofits --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/fulfilled-fundraisers/message
On this episode of the RAISE podcast Brent sits down with Julie Morgan Hooper, CFRE. Julie is the Vice Chancellor for University Development and Alumni Relations (UDAR) at the University of California, Berkeley. As Vice Chancellor, Hooper provides campus-wide leadership on all philanthropic endeavors and manages advancement programs in UDAR involving a staff of 268 employees and an operating budget of $63 million. In her role, she serves as President of the UC Berkeley Foundation, a not-for-profit corporation that raises, invests, and administers private funds for the campus. She also provides oversight and guidance to the activities of approximately 25 different advancement programs in the schools, colleges, and campus units.About JulieJulie came to Berkeley in July 2014 from the University of Texas at Austin. During her almost eight-year tenure at UT, Julie served as Assistant Dean for Development and External Relations in the School of Architecture and as Associate Vice President for Development for the University Development Office. In this role, she acted as Campaign Director for The Campaign for Texas, an eight-year, $3B capital campaign, which ended in August of 2014 and raised $3.11B for the university.Julie has also served as Executive Director and Senior Director of Development for various non-profit agencies in Texas and was named Outstanding Fundraising Professional in 2010 by the Greater Austin Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She has over twenty years of experience in leading operations and fundraising for non-profit organizations and institutions of higher education as well as experience working in the private sector in global trade.Julie holds a master's degree in historic preservation from the University of Georgia and a BA in history from Boston University. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education, the international non-profit association based in Washington DC dedicated to educational advancement. She previously served six years on the Board of Directors and as Board Chair for the Sustainable Food Center based in Austin.
Completing schedule B as part of the annual 990 tax filing for most nonprofits is just another task to check off your annual list. You compile your list of major donors who get included and it gets sent to the IRS and any other states who require the filing. Does this violate the donor's constitutional right to free association? That's what the Supreme Court (SCOTUS) will soon be deciding! Hear Brittny and Nia's take on the case and pending decision.ResourcesWhy We Filed an Amicus Brief in the U.S. Supreme Court to Protect Charitable Nonprofits - Council on Nonprofits from April 5, 2021Donor Privacy Case Before the Supreme Court Is a Threat to Nonprofit Transparency - Chronicle on Philanthropy from April 28, 2021U.S. Supreme Court leans toward conservative groups on concealing donors - Reuters from April 26, 2021Amicus Brief signed on by Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) from The Nonprofit Alliance Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.
On today's show, we go behind the scenes with one of the premier experts on not-for-profit management and evaluation.Michael Cleavenger has managed and grown some of the largest philanthropic organizations in the United States. These days he helps people who want to support great causes evaluate charitable organizations. If you're interested in discovering how a great charitable organization runs and how the affluent evaluate them before investing, Join us for today's show,For our listeners who are accountants, fund managers, family office managers and attorneys: This show is a clinic on how to do your homework for your clients.Contact Michael here:Michael CleavengerCendrowski Corporate Advisors1-(866) 717-1607mcc@cendsel.comhttps://www.cca-advisors.comMichael Cleavenger's BioMichael Cleavenger joined CCA in December 2018 and is our Not-For-Profit Development Representative located in the Chicago office. Michael ran and built companies for over 20 years in the Lighting, Natural Gas distribution and Real-estate industries as well as raising venture money in the music industry. Michael has over 20 years' experience in non-profit administration and he has raised more than $250 million for major gifts, capital and endowment campaigns.His experience includes senior management and development positions at The Chicago History Museum, Episcopal Charities and Community Services, La Rabida Children's Hospital, The Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, and Victory Gardens Theatre. Michael currently serves on the board of St. Bernard's Hospital in the Englewood neighborhood of Chicago. Michael is also involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP).Michael is an alumnus of Colgate University, and has additional credentials from the University of Chicago, the Kellogg School at Northwestern University and the Wharton School of Business.
Philanthropy Misunderstood by Bob Hopkins The word PHILANTHROPY isn't new, but many think being a philanthropist is about money. In Bob Hopkins' new book, he assures us it IS NOT. He and 100 of his friends define, by way of their good deeds, that philanthropy is about LOVE OF MANKIND. Philanthropy Misunderstood is a 256-page coffee- table book that will surely entertain and inform you. You won't want to put it down. It is colorful and exciting. “Bob Hopkins Introduces us to 100 plus new best friends…people like you and me who give of themselves who actually LOVE others. What a joyful time Bob shares with us. Optimism and hope emerge from every page. Each person's story sparkles. Each one makes us prouder to be fellow ‘homo-sapiens'.” Dr. Claire Gaudiani, philanthropist, author and international lecturer. Bob recalls his first experience with his mother when he was five years old in Garden City, Kansas as they delivered groceries to a poor family during the holidays. He remembers the pat on the back he received from someone for doing good. “Maybe it was God,” he recalled. For more information, go to Philanthropy Misunderstood. Read the Interview Hugh Ballou: Greetings. Welcome to this episode of The Nonprofit Exchange. Wow. This is going to open your mind to a whole new world. I just met Bob Hopkins recently on a recent trip to Dallas. Some of our previous guests that started Barefoot Winery said, “You have to meet Bob.” When I was in Dallas, I rang him up, and we met. They had shared his book with me called Philanthropy Misunderstood. I thought it was a nice book. When I started digging into the stories and what Bob knew about philanthropy, I said, “We have to share this with other people.” Bob, welcome to The Nonprofit Exchange. Tell people a little bit about you and your passion. Bob Hopkins: Thank you, Hugh. I am so honored to be invited to be here with you as your guest today. I am glad to know that there are some other people in the book in your audience today. I am an older person. I have been around for a long time. Every 20 years, I ask myself, “What am I doing, and where am I going?” I have divided myself into four different segments of my life. I am on the last 18 years. I give myself another 18 years to live. I am trying to figure out what to do, so I am probably going to go to a seminar called PSI in June to find out what I'm going to do next. But, Hugh, I have been involved with this word “philanthropy” for the last 45-50 years. I learn more about what it means all the time. Then I became confused and realized that what I thought philanthropy was is not. Or maybe it is part of, but that's why I had to dig into it and tell stories of 108 people who actually do philanthropic things for other people. That's what this book is about. Hugh: How long have you been engaged in the nonprofit arena with leaders and different kinds of organizations? Bob: I came to Dallas in 1984. I had just been involved as the director of development on the National Council of Alcoholism and learned all about this word called “fundraising” and philanthropy. Found out that the two of them are together as one word and one meaning, and they are also separate things. Some people get them mixed up. They think that fundraising is about money, but so is philanthropy. I have learned that philanthropy can be about money, but largely not. Instead, it's doing good things for others. That's how I got involved with this. I have been in Dallas for 38 years, and I have been working in raising money and now writing a book. I did a magazine called Philanthropy in Texas for a while. Every decade, I learned a little bit more about what that word means. Hugh: Bob, you and I are in our mid-70s, we'll say. We could be sitting back, chilling, and not doing anything. But you and I have a passion for being engaged. Why aren't you sitting around? You're teaching classes, and the stuff that you're asking your students is really profound. You're active with some local charities still. Why is this important to you? Bob: I don't know. I do it because I don't know what else to do. I do play tennis, and I do ride horses. Those are two of my hobbies. I do spend time doing those two things every week, so it's not like I'm constantly thinking about philanthropy, even though I have a horse named Philanthropy. I watch the USTA, and did you know the USTA is a nonprofit organization? They wouldn't survive if they didn't get contributions from people. They do good for others. I guess I'm involved with philanthropy pretty much all the time, even though it's my joy. I love doing it. I like talking about it. I like telling people about it. I like finding people who are doing different new things. I have found so many people over my 40 years that I decided to put them in a book. That's where Philanthropy Misunderstood came from. Hugh: I've had the joy of visiting a couple. The whole family does this water project. I won't get into it, but I want you to tell people. You called them up and said, “You have to meet Hugh.” I went over there, and it was an amazing visit with the whole family. I met the couple. I didn't meet the kids, but I have heard about them and their involvement. How about highlighting some of the stories? Let's talk about this one first; they will be guests on the show in June. It's folding paper. How does that help people? Bob: This is a crazy story, and it's a fabulous story. It's been so fabulous that it's been on Good Morning America. Neiman Marcus actually helped these girls sell these ornaments that are called origami that they make. Their church and schools make them with them. They have volunteers of hundreds of people who do nothing but help make origami, and they sell the origami for $50-$75 a piece. To date, they have raised over $2 million building water wells to actually give water around the world. 170 different water wells in 17 or 18 different countries. These girls are 15, 13, and 10 years old. They started it when they were 4, 5, and 6 because Daddy is part Japanese. He said, “We need to do some origami.” One thing led to the other. I'm not sure what the other is and how detailed you have to get in to find out what the thinking was of the parents, about involving their children in making these origami. That's their life. It is now their life. These girls are so smart because they are in a business. The 15-year-old is the president of the foundation. It's a cool thing. Hugh: I went to visit the whole house and the project. These volunteers come in to do the folding. It's engaged people in a focus. I don't know if the people come in and do that right now, but maybe the family can do more while the kids are out of school. There is another story in here that has a big picture, and it's Bonnie and Michael with Barefoot Winery. They were guests a couple months ago, and they were the ones who connected us. Tell the story about how you got connected and their story in the book. Bob: It's so interesting because Eric is actually the one who introduced me to Bonnie and Michael. He was the marketing director of Barefoot Wine. What Bonnie and Michael did, when they couldn't sell the wine, because nobody wanted to buy it because there was no place to buy it, and liquor stores didn't want to buy it because nobody was asking for it. They started giving it away to charities on the beach in beach towns, mainly starting in Florida. He would give it to them for free, and he said, “If you like it, go to your grocery stores and tell them to buy it.” Long story short, over 15 years, it became the #1 wine in America. Bonnie and Michael did it through giving wine away to charitable causes. I know that they had a marketing plan here. They said, “This is cause-related marketing,” which are words we used to use. They didn't really know it was philanthropy because they really wanted to sell wine. But it also made them feel good, too. I have taken Bonnie and Michael on a philanthropy trip to Mexico. So I got to watch them in action. It didn't have to do with wine; it had to do with building schools and painting houses for people in Mexico. It's a great story. They are in the book, and they should be. Hugh: The book is what you would call a coffee table book. It is hardbound. It's a $45 book. The quality of printing and the quality of the stories and an amazing layout and design. It should be $100. It's one of these treasures. My fourth book, which you have a copy of, Transforming Power, I teach people how to do things. I got to a point where I said, “Hmm, people want to be inspired by stories.” That's one of the premises behind this show is for people to tell their stories. There are people out there in the trenches who are struggling to make ends meet, to pull people together, to rally volunteers, to rally their boards, to rally their funders. Let's talk a bit about this title and what's behind it. What is the biggest misunderstanding on both sides, the funder and people seeking funding? Bob: It started with me. I was always told that philanthropy was about money. I started a magazine in Texas all about people who had money and gave it away. I would come into my staff and say, “I think we need to do Boone Pickens on the cover of the magazine. And the first question was, “How much money does he give away?” That was the common question. That was whether or not we were going to put him in the book on how much money they gave away. Finally, after a while, I realized, You know what? I know a lot of people who do so much more than writing a check. They're never recognized. I have this incredible woman from Houston named Carolyn Farb who spends 26 hours a day helping people learn how to raise money, but also build a hospital, and do all kinds of things. She is not known to be a huge giver, even though she is a giver; therefore, her picture would not be on the front cover of anything because of money. But it would be because of the word “philanthropy.” I realized, because of Carolyn, that I was talking to the wrong people. I needed to be talking to people who were in the book. The people in the book probably give money as well, but that wasn't what I wanted the focus on. I wanted them to tell me why they do what they do. Why do they build origami and build water wells around the world? They don't get any money for it, and they don't give any money. They give things. Well, they do give money because they raise money in their case. Bonnie and Michael, they give money, too. Instead, they gave wine. Chip Richey gives his time and effort and expertise in filmmaking. He's made lots of films about the Indians and Oklahoma. He did things for me for my philanthropy courses. There is Jordie Turk who was a student of mine, who volunteered on his own dime to come to Dallas and video my launch party. His name is not even on the piece. But he did it. He loved it. He is happy about it. I think that's what philanthropy does, moreso than what money does, is gives you joy. That's what everybody says. I get so much more out of what I did than what I gave. Hugh: Philanthropy is both. We have to run the organization. It's like having a car. You have to put gas in it. But there is a bigger piece to this. It's not money alone. Sometimes, people want to give money to save their conscience. They want to be doing something, and they're not really involved with it. So they want to buy a place. but buying a place and stepping up and working. Talk about the synergy of the two of those together. Bob: I'm a giver. But nobody would ever recognize me as a financial giver because I give $100 or $200 or $25 or $50 or whatever. I'm involved with a lot of organizations. I give not necessarily because I love the organization, but I love the person who is asking me. So I write a check in order to continue this relationship I have with this person as a friend or as a person who works with me. But when I actually take on a project and get my feet dirty and hands wet, and I go out and build something, or I paint, I come back tired, but for some reason, I give myself this secret pat on my shoulder and say, “You did good today, Bobby.” That's what happened to me when I was five years old. My mother and I went to give groceries in a trailer park in Garden City, Kansas. We walked away, and I felt this hand on my shoulder. It was patting my shoulder, and it said, “You did good today, Bobby.” I looked around, and there was nobody there. That is the feeling I have gotten because of giving my time and efforts, as opposed to writing a check to get you off my back to say, “Go. I put my name someplace.” They go, “Oh wow, $100. Thank you so much.” Then they come back the next year and do the same thing. There is just a real difference between the people who are in the trenches and the people who aren't. Hugh: I think it's important to give at any level. You say that you won't get recognized for $25 or $50. But if we get a lot of people who support us with their time, talent, and money—you give your time, talent, and money. There is a triage there that are all magnified by each other. If you have the synergy, if you have one person who gives $25, great. If you have 1,000 people who give $25, then you are paying salary and rent and some operating costs. Then you can rev up the engines and focus on your mission. I do find a lot of charities are compromised in many ways, but as you know, the story of SynerVision is we want to empower leaders to step up to the level that they can take the organization. I noticed some of your students are here from the class, and I want to talk about them as well. There is a synergy in those three. We spend time teaching leaders how to raise the bar on their performance so we know how to engage people who are philanthropic-minded. There is a whole lot of stuff there. Jeff, “Bob has given many of us the gift of learning to give, and it is life-changing.” What a quote that is. Talk about your students. I got to sit in on three classes last week. You're doing this Zoom group session education, which is quite remarkable. Your gracious spirit with them, and you see what's inside them, and you see potential that maybe some of them don't see in themselves. You said to me you challenged them to think about writing a eulogy, but you also mentioned doing some research on a nonprofit organization. There was a need for you to have to explain what that meant. What is a nonprofit organization? Talk a little bit about the class. Bob: I taught at a university here. I was teaching business and professional speaking. I decided I wanted to bring in my love and passion to the course. How am I going to bring my love and passion into the course when philanthropy is not in the syllabus? I included philanthropy in the syllabus. When you talk about business, you are going to talk about nonprofit businesses. They had never heard of a nonprofit business, even though they had. They knew what the Salvation Army and the Red Cross was. They knew what the Boys and Girls Club and Boy Scouts are. But they didn't know they were nonprofit organizations. They didn't know there were two million of them in the United States. They didn't know that half of the things that are positive about our country is philanthropy. I said, “Okay, let's have you all look at a nonprofit you are connected with.” They had no idea they were even connected with one. Landon is a new student this semester in my class right now. You asked him a question and asked him to talk when you were in my class. He did. He has a passion. You can feel it when he talks, about the things he does or can do and wants to do to serve people in our community. What I'm doing is there is maybe a small fire underneath them already, and I'm turning up the heat. They get passionate about it, and I empower them to do something about it once they learn about the fact that they can do it. They can do something on their own. Landon is one of those. He has several physical problems, and one of them is with his eyes. He picked a nonprofit organization that had to do with sight. He loves being involved with something he can connect with and understand. We all do. We all can. I am attention-deficit. There is a nonprofit organization and a school that has to do with children teaching children about dyslexia and Attention Deficit Disorders. There is something I can do. There is something everybody can do because we all have something that we are connected with, and we just didn't know it. Hugh: I was going to come in and say hello, and I stayed the whole class for two of them. We are recording this in the middle of being sequestered home. It's a time of refreshing, renewal, revising, and thinking about how when we go back to work, how we are going to define the new normal. We are leaders. We will reset the bar. I don't think we're going to go back to what we did before. Most of the people in the book didn't do things in ordinary ways; that's why they are in the book. These stories will inspire others not just to do the same old thing that they always had observed, but to think about what they bring to the table that's really special. What is the new opportunity? Bob, let's dig into some more of these stories. The book is divided into sections. Talk a little bit about why that is and why that's important. Bob: I had some great people working with me. Tom Dolphins from Kansas City designed the book. The book is so attractive that people want to find out what it is. It's not just the words, but it's the design. And Ann Vigola from Lawrence, Kansas started out as my editor. She happened to be a student of mine prior to that. Ann spent a lot of time figuring out how to organize this book because as being an attention-deficit person, I have all this information up here. I didn't know how to organize it. It was organized starting out with topics. We did One Day at a Time because I am a recovering alcoholic, and I wanted to talk a little bit about that topic. One Day at a Time also had to do with the AIDS epidemic. I had a brother who died of AIDS, and I wanted to focus on that. Every person in here has had something to do in my life. People would say, “You didn't do so-and-so. They are such a great person.” I said, “I know, but I didn't work with them.” All of these people, I worked with. All the stories in here, many of them, I had something to do with. Chip got me involved in the Phoenix Project, or maybe I got him involved, which was helping warriors coming home from war, connecting them with their spouses on retreats with horses and massages. Chip actually put together a video about this whole thing. I was involved with that. I went to the sweat lodges with these warriors and watched them connect and relate to each other. They are all stories I have been involved with in one way or another, and that's one story I like a lot. Jordie worked with me with the poorest of the poor kids in Mexico in Guanajuato, Mexico, Leon. We would go to the poorest school, and I would tell the teachers, “I want to take your kids for just an hour once a week and bring in 20 of my students. We will teach them philanthropy.” We watched children change because of a handshake. Jordie was able to volunteer his time, even though he was a student of mine, to put this fabulous piece together that is on YouTube. These are all stories we were able to capture. I wish I'd had these two men together with me for all of the stories because somebody's contacted me and said, “We need to make a movie here with these short stories.” Some of them still have long-lasting things. One of the people in Mexico said, “Just teaching a child to do a handshake and watch her change as a person week after week after week has changed me as a person,” she said. It does. When you do philanthropy, it changes you. Hugh: That's a great sound bite. Serving churches in music ministry for 40 years, I took many mission trips. We went to give them, but we came back having received a lot more than we tried to give away. There is a reciprocity to giving. You're a giver, but you're blessed by your giving. You're enriched by your giving. You give stuff away, but it really impacts you. When I am with you, you're just full of energy. You're this most passionate energized person purposeful person. What more about the book? Was there a story here delving into their story for the book, that really moved you more than any other story? Bob: Yeah. We took a vote in our little group who put this book together, Ann, Tom, and I. There is one called “Bridging the Gap.” It is written by Morgan Herm. He is a schoolteacher. He talks about a bridge that is in Pennsylvania, where he lives. He would go and meditate there. On this bridge, he noticed that somebody had put in a letter between the planks. He opened the letter, and it was a letter that a person had written about them being able to become at peace with themselves because of meditating on this bridge. He put the letter back. Then there was a collection of letters that people would put in about how this bridge had brought them peace. It helped them through their divorce, or it helped them through their domestic violence. Morgan finally built a mailbox so people could put their letters in the mailbox. They could read each other's letters. That's philanthropy. That bridge serves as a philanthropic metaphor or example of peace and love. That's one of my favorites, and it's written so well because Morgan is an English teacher and writer. Hugh: Each contributor wrote their own story. Bob: They wrote their own stories. There was a couple of them that I wrote. There was a woman named Ruth Altschuter in Dallas who died last year. I wanted her in the book. So I went to her husband and said, “Would you write this for me?” He said, “No, I can't write anymore. I don't write.” I said, “Let me write Ruth's story, and you approve it.” He said okay. But most people wrote their own stories. One lady wrote a story that I told her should be 1,000 words. It was 5,000 words. I read it and realized I couldn't cut anything out. It's the history of Swiss Avenue, which is one of the oldest historic districts in the United States. She called it, “Philanthropy Built Her Neighborhood.” It's about how the mansions and big houses on Swiss Avenue became run-down in the ‘30s, ‘40s, and ‘50s. You could buy a piece of property here for $10 or 25,000, which are now going for $2 million, back in the old days. She wanted to tell the story about how it became a fabulous neighborhood that is looked upon as one of the premier places in the United States. It ended up being 10 pages, and I left the 5,000 words. It is the longest story. It wasn't meant to be that way, but it's really well done, so I didn't cut it out. Hugh: You said here. Is it in Dallas? Bob: Yes. I live in that district. I live in the Swiss Avenue historic district. Hugh: Wow, that's fascinating. Landon has a question. Landon, you're live, so if you have your mic on, do you want to talk to us? Landon Shepherd: My question is, let's say I have an idea for a nonprofit I would like to start. But I don't really know exactly how or where to start it, or who to talk to about getting started with what I want to do. What would be your advice to some of the students who may have these ideas, but don't know how to work out these ideas? Hugh: That question is for your professor? Landon: Either one of you guys. Hugh: We'll tag-team on it. Go ahead, Bob. Bob: He's a student of mine, and I will definitely have a talk about that. But we have in Dallas and in Fort Worth and every major city in the United States a center for nonprofit management. The centers for nonprofit management in each of the major cities are where people can go learn about giving and learn how to start an organization, a 501(c)3, the who, what, when, where, why. They have seminars all the time. You can go to the Community Foundation of Texas. You can go to the Dallas Foundation. These are other avenues of where people are experts in this. Yes, there is a way to do that. Landon, I will tell you who to contact here in Dallas. Hugh: There are centers like that in every city. There is also a universal presence called SynerVision Leadership Foundation. We have a blue button at the top of our page labeled, “Join.” We have this community with all kinds of resources. Sometimes, we find how to do strategy or how to do leadership or how to do fundraising or how to do a brand or marketing. We put it in one contiguous process so you don't have to look around. You can look at our site and see if that suits you. Combine working in person with one of these centers Bob is talking about. That would give you a leg up. Bob, I know half of the nonprofits started each year will close ultimately. My take on it is they haven't done a good job of looking at the market to make sure it's not being duplicated, and they haven't really activated their board and set themselves up for success. What is your idea of why some of those close? Bob: You're right. They usually are started by people who don't have any information. They have a passion, which you have to have for the topic. People who have cancer, they want to start a nonprofit organization that has to do with cancer and raise money in the name of somebody. The Susan G. Komen Foundation was started by Nancy Brinker here in Dallas because her sister Susan G. Komen had breast cancer. She told her before she died, “I am going to find you a cure for this.” What Nancy did was she surrounded herself with experts who knew how to put together a nonprofit. Now, it is the best one in the world. I can tell you five or six right off the top of my head that didn't last for more than a year because they didn't have a board of directors, they didn't know how to do their paperwork, they started raising money without knowing how to be a fundraiser. Let me tell Landon and everybody this. There is an association called the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) in the United States. 35,000 professional fundraising people. I was a member of this group for most of my years as the president here in Dallas, and went to all the major conferences. There are conferences every year with AFP. There is a luncheon in most major cities every month that bring together all the people who raise money for the nonprofits in any city. There is a program with a speaker. It is a time to network, the people who have been there and done it before. That's how you do it. Hugh: Building a network around you. There is a peer-to-peer network, which is great, but you want to have a network of people who are even better than you. In my case, it's not hard to do. But hang around people who have been there, done that, and are experts. We have Jeffrey Fulgham watching who has a question. I want to allow you to talk. Jeffrey has been a member of that and is a certified fundraiser. Why is it important for you? You went through the certification process and studied development for so many years. Do you want to comment on the organization and why it's so important for people to understand now? Jeffrey Fulgham: I have always looked at it as a cliché of the good housekeeping seal of approval. I think this gets more important every day. This needs to be a profession, and it needs to be professional, not just in fundraisers but in nonprofits. There has to be some standard. We hope it's a standard of excellence, but there has to be some standard by which people can look and say, “Okay, this is an organization, or an individual, who is committed to certain principles, certain basic values, that transcend whatever it is that that organization is involved in.” Obviously, there are certain organizations whose values are going to be different than another one. But those values are related to the mission, not the operating strategy or the integrity of the entity or the integrity of the individuals working within it. What it allows us to do is create that standard. When someone looks at an organization, they have Guidestar to go to and the other metric organizations. But they also have a way to look and say, “Hey, this is what these organizations support. These are the values they support. This organization belongs to them and subscribes to these values. They subscribe to certain values. They set the standard.” Of course, the CFRE sets the standard as well. I think it's important for people who are giving, but also for people who want to get involved as volunteers, who want to go work somewhere. Do you want to work for an organization who subscribes to certain values and has that level of integrity? That's the main reason why I think it's all important. Hugh: Great. Before I let you go back into your listening mode, do you have a question for our guest today about philanthropy or about his book? Jeffrey: You know, that's the first time I've heard of this book. I'm definitely going to have to get a copy of it. I think it's really interesting that you mentioned that philanthropy is not necessarily about money. I always tell people that fundraising is not about money; it usually ends in money, but it's about relationships and about creating relationships that are long-lasting. Those relationships should transcend the money in that just because in a bad year, and we're having one by the way, where people are not going to make gifts to organizations they care about because they have to take care of their families and their friends. They will give more money to their church. They will make hard decisions about who they are giving to. If that person doesn't make a gift to my organization but they have been supporting me for 20 years, do I abandon them and ignore them because they are not giving money through our fundraising? No. Because I have a relationship with them that transcends their financial giving, or possibly their volunteerism. It becomes a different thing. Philanthropy is definitely a mindset beyond money, and I love that you are bringing that to the surface so people can understand what it's about. Hugh: I'm glad you asked me where to get the book. There is a website called PhilanthropyMisunderstood.org. You can find out how to get the book there. Bob: Thank you, Jeffrey. I want to know more about you as well. I am a member of AFP and of CFRE as well. There are a couple of people in the book who are CFRE, Scott Staub and Alfonse Brown. They have great stories in there not about fundraising. As you say, it was about relationship-building and the volunteerism they participated in as well. Hugh: Not everybody wrote a story in there. There is a story about a horse. Who wrote that? Bob: I wrote that one. It's my best story. I wanted Philanthropy to be on my front cover, and Philanthropy happens to be my horse. This woman by the name of Tracy Carruth, who is a big philanthropist in Dallas, breeds horses. I happen to have an Arabian horse. She breeds Arabian horses. Napatoff, who is her most beautiful world champion horse, was retiring. Before he died, or left the breeding ring, she wanted to make sure that I got an offspring from Napatoff. She gave me the semen from Napatoff to go into Sherry Rochesta, who was my Arabian. Through that, we got a beautiful horse that I named Philanthropy. I wanted to start that as my first story. My editor didn't like it, so we put it into the back. I am there with Tracy Carruth and our horses. That's the story. Hugh: The standards for everything, the quality of the writing and the photographs, the design of the book, all of these sections in the book. You start out with Circle of Influence. Jeffrey headed us that way. It's not about money; it's about relationship. When you and I had lunch recently, we talked about relationship. You now have a relationship with all these people, and they wanted to be in your book. Why is relationship important to our work? Relationship in our teaching at SynerVision, it's the underpinning of leadership and ministry, and it's the support for communications. Funding and philanthropy happens as a result of relationship. Say a little more about relationship and how it's important. Bob: Debbie Mrazek, who is one of the writers, wrote a part in the book called “Your Circle of Influence.” Who are all those people who will take care of you, who will take you to the airport and lend you sugar and tell you where to get the plumber? I had my students write down 100 people they know, wheedle it down to 25, and then 15 who will be in their circle of influence. I teach networking. It's not what you know; it's who you know. That's the first thing and last thing I say in my classes. My students, I say, “How many people do you know?” They didn't know 100 people. One of them knew seven. My family members. No, I don't want to meet anybody. No, I don't need people. I said to the class, “I'm going to take students to Nepal. It will cost $1,500. How many of you can raise the money to make it happen?” I went to this girl who said she knew seven people, and she didn't want to know any more people. She said, “I don't know anybody. I don't want to know anybody. I guess I'm not going to Nepal.” I said, “I guess you're not.” We took people to Nepal because my students most of the time realize that they have a great number of people around them who care about them, but there is a methodology of how to influence people and how to cultivate people and how to get them to be your friends, and more than friends, how to be a good friend, how to help people, and actually go around hunting for things to do for people. That's what I want my students to become. I don't think that we get anywhere in life without others. That's one of the key principles that I teach in my communication classes. Hugh: Your class that I sat in on is really about communications. You're really promoting good thinking skills. Communication to me is based on relationship. We can send a whole bunch of emails that nobody reads. It's not about data. Bob: No. I send emails, and I pick up the phone. We used to send faxes. We used to go knock on their door. We used to drive by. I think that this time right now, we're trying to figure out how to continue life in solitude since we are told to stay home, and stay home alone. I think we're finding this television and this computer even more important than ever since this is how we're able to stay in touch, through this cell phone we love so much and this computer. However, I can go next door and knock on the door and take them a cake and say, “I was thinking of you and realize you may not have any desserts at your house today.” Sometimes, I'll have my lawnmower man come out and next door, they don't mow their lawn very much. “Go mow their lawn. I'll pay you.” The people come home and say, “I can't believe you had somebody mow my lawn.” It was a philanthropic idea I had, was to love mankind and do something for the person next door. Hugh: Bob is an inspiration. My ideas are popping. You have 100 creative ideas every six seconds. You're prolific. In these stories, 100+ stories from people who helped change the world. We are all doing our part. It's not one person. But one person can start a movement. My friend in Lynchburg, he was the person who founded Stop Hunger Now, which is now Rise Against Hunger. Before we had a setback with coronavirus, they were on target to package 750 million meals. Their vision is to end hunger in our lifetime. It's not just about packaging the meals; it's about a lot more than that. One person thought of that and founded it, and it's now a major movement that will exist long past his lifetime, which is what he wanted. It's a legacy. What are the legacy possibilities for any of us who say, “I want to do something for humankind and have it keep going?” Are there possibilities for all of us? Bob: I always say, “What are you doing for the person who just passed away in your life? What will you do for your mother? What will you do for your father?” I got involved with building schools in Nepal with Don Wilkes. Let me tell you about Don Lueke since he is here. Don Lueke is from Kansas City; he and I met probably 30 years ago because he taught children at his school about giving. It's the Junior Leadership. It's similar to my PAVE program (Philanthropy and Volunteers Education). For the last 15-20 years, he and a man by the name of Steve O'Neill, who are businesspeople in Kansas City, take time out of their week every week to teach children at the Catholic school where their children go about giving back. This has become so sophisticated that this last year, I was a part of a seminar they had at the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where all of his students, maybe 30 or 40 of them, came and gave presentations on nonprofit organizations they had helped in the community. He does similar things to me: empower young people to get involved in the community. There is a double page about him and this group he is doing it with. Don Wilkes in Nepal for example. What can you do to honor somebody? He said, “If you can make a contribution of a couple thousand dollars, we will put someone's name on a classroom in a school we are building in Nepal.” I called my brother and sister and said, “For $2,000, we can put our mother's name on a classroom in Nepal.” My brother says, “I want to see a video of what it looks like.” I sent him the video, and he called me back immediately and said, “Let's do it.” My sister said, “Sight unseen, let's do it. We want to honor our mother.” For $2,000, our mother's name is on a school's room in Nepal. I know because I went to Nepal to see it. I had to go see my mother's name. When I got out of the car, and the children were clapping for me because I was amongst them, because I gave a simple $2,000 and put my mother's name on the deal, gave me such joy that we decided to do it again. I put my cousin's name and my aunt's name in another classroom on another school they are building in Nepal. That is a way you can provide not necessarily for yourself, but for somebody else that meant a lot in this society. Everybody we run around with meant a lot in this society. They did something in their lives that changed the world. Hugh: Absolutely. That's an inspiration. Are you willing to entertain questions if I open everybody's mic? Bob: Absolutely. Eric Groover: Bob, this is Eric Groover from the University of North Texas. How are you doing, Bob? Bob: Hi, Eric. It's good to see you again. Eric: Hugh, I just want to say thank you for hosting Bob. Bob and I are new acquaintances through some of our students at the Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science here at the University of North Texas in Denton. Just north of the DFW metroplex. Bob was actually scheduled to come speak to some students on our campus last week, and unfortunately we had to cancel that. Bob was gracious enough to bring up some of the books that we purchased for our students and faculty and staff. We spent a few minutes violating the university's shelter-in-place order, visiting in my office for 20-30 minutes. I just wanted to say, Bob, that it's been lovely watching you today and hearing your stories again. Just a huge thank-you to Hugh for hosting this event. He does you credit, and I'm glad for that. Thank you very much. Hugh: Thank you, Eric. Blessings. Nancy Hopkins: This is Nancy Carol Hopkins. Yes, I am Bob's sister. I am watching from Tucson, Arizona. Obviously, Bob has been an influence in a lot of people's lives, including mine and our younger brother. I wanted to make a comment on the volunteerism point. First of all, Bob gets asked frequently how come he stays so young and is so active at his age and has so much energy. If you look up and do some research on volunteerism, there is a lot of research that shows that volunteerism actually helps you medically, emotionally, physically, keeps you young literally. It does. There is medical research to prove that. If anybody wants to know how Bob stays so young and energetic, it has nothing to do with vitamins and pills he is taking. It has everything to do with the work that he does. Hugh: Very helpful, Nancy. Thank you so much for being here. Thank you for sharing that. Nancy: You're welcome. Hugh: You don't have to take tonic if you hang around Bob Hopkins. Nancy: That's right. You don't. Hugh: That's so rich. By the way, our governor slapped a stay-at-home order on us until June 10. The exception is volunteerism. If you volunteer for a charity, you can get out and do it. That was a good thing, I thought. Penny Rambacker: Hi, this is Penny Rambacker. How are you doing, Bob? Bob: They said Penny. I was hoping it was you. Penny: I'd like to make another comment about the idea of having purpose. I think Bob has a purpose, as many of us philanthropists have. I have been reading a book recently that said two of the things you can do to be the happiest in life are 1) to have a purpose and to feel needed, and that keeps you young and alive, and 2) is to be grateful. Those of us that practice gratitude and appreciate what we have are oftentimes people who are giving because they have seen other people with greater needs than their own. They become grateful for all of the things they have in their life. I had a huge gratitude lesson back when I first got into this. That was when I visited the garbage dump in Guatemala City. I saw children living there. It really touched my heart, and I had to do something about it. I found my purpose, and I felt grateful for the life I have. Two good things to think about when you are doing philanthropy. Yep, that's me and my kids. Hugh: What page is that on, Bob? Bob: Pages 48-49. Hugh: Love it. Great stories. Penny, where are you? Penny: I am in Naples, Florida. We work in Guatemala. My charity has built 57 schools in the mountains of Guatemala. We also sell handicrafts. We just sent an e-newsletter telling people to visit our store online. It's virus-free. You can go shopping for a greater good. If you want to go shopping, we have great things at Store.MiraclesInAction.org. Hugh: Good for you. I have been to Guatemala, and people are very poor. They have lots of wonderful natural resources. They do wonderful clothes with all these designs that are brilliant. What are you showing, Bob? Bob: This is Don Lueke's page. He is on pages 82-83. Hugh: Don, do you want to comment? Don Lueke: This is a great opportunity to showcase your work, Bob, and the work of everybody in that book. I appreciate the efforts on your part. Just want to add. We talk about having a purpose. I think that is what makes us get up every day, or at least get up quicker. I don't know if I have a lot more to add. I'm humbled by everybody's story in the book, so I think I am just one of many. Hugh: Thank you for sharing. I am humbled being part of Bob's network. *Sponsor message from Wordsprint* Bob, what is a parting thought you'd like to leave people with today? Bob: I am going to do another book called Philanthropy Understood. It's going to be new people. Some of the old people we want to expand upon, too. I'd like to do something with TAMS. I think TAMS is a great program that Eric Groover has been a part of before. There are so many people that I have been thinking about. That's what I'm doing right now, and that's why so many people are here who are in the book because I sent them a memo telling them all that we are needing to stay together on a monthly basis. We did have a man pass away yesterday in the book, Charles Lowe. He has spent 45 years working with the disease called neurofibromatosis, and I worked for them for eight years. I was able to tell all of the people in the book about his passing. So many people responded who didn't even know Charles, but did know his article in the book. I think the more we create this circle of influence around ourselves, the richer our lives are going to be. Also, the kinds of people we depend upon, I always try to find people who are smarter than you who have more things going on for them because they will lift me up instead of running around with people who will pull me down. My challenge to everyone is to continue these kinds of groups, and continue doing good together. That is the real fun about philanthropy and being volunteers. It's a togetherness thing. I did go with Penny to Guatemala, and I loved the experience. She is in the book. I went with her 20 years ago. I included her in the book because that experience changed my life 20 years ago. It's one of those many things that make up a person. It's so much fun going back in my history, in my family. My sister is the greatest philanthropist of our family. She is doing more than me even. I think that's the joy. I don't even say it's happy anymore; it's a joy to walk out on my front porch and say, “God, take me. What is my next step? What do I have to do next?” You know what. Somebody picks me up and takes me. I think that's the lesson I have learned more than anything: you have to be willing and tell people. Hugh: Bob Hopkins, you are a gift to humankind. Thank you so much for being our guest today. Bob: Thank you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Invitada: Mtra. Ana Luisa Ramírez.Presidenta de la AFP Capítulo GuadalajaraLa Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) representa a más de 31,000 miembros en 240 capítulos alrededor del mundo, trabaja para desarrollar la filantropía a través de apoyo, investigación, educación y programas de certificación. La asociación fomenta el desarrollo y crecimiento de los profesionales del fundraising y promueve altos estándares éticos en la profesión del fundraising.El fundraising se percibe como una profesión creíble y respetada para una mejora social alrededor del mundo.Contacto:afpglobal.orgPresidente@afpguadalajara.orgMembresíashttps://afpglobal.org/membresias
DeAnn Hazey, CFRE*, is the Executive Director of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of South Florida. Ms. Hazey is charged with insuring the continued vitality, growth and success of this Chapter by maximizing opportunities and securing sustainable support to increase community presence and access to free educational and financial resources for blood cancer patients, as well life-changing therapies and research for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Ms. Hazey has directed Non-profits and successfully executed fundraising campaigns for more than 25-years for organizations including 4KIDS of South Florida, Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, National Association of College Stores Foundation, The Cleveland Orchestra, TRW and the American Heart Association. She also managed her own fundraising consulting company, Innovative Resources, for nine years. She earned her bachelors degree from the University of Maryland University College Europe, is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE), and a graduate of Leadership Broward Class XXXVII. Passionate about helping at-risk children, Ms. Hazey is a foster parent, and is board president for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Broward/Fort Lauderdale Chapter.
In this episode, Andrew visits with Tara Doyon, Director of Development and Mission Advancement at St. Paul Catholic Center at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN. Tara began her career in development at St. Paul in 2009 despite having no formal training in fundraising. She learned quickly the benefit of surrounding herself with great mentors and advisors and has had a huge impact on the Hoosier Catholic ministry. In this episode, Tara and Andrew discuss what she focused on in the beginning to be successful, her thoughts on Catholic stewardship and her current capital campaign project at St. Pauls.Show Notes:Tara had a great mentor from the very beginning who helped coach her in the best ways to fundraise. One piece of advice was that there are no donors sitting in your office, you have to get out of the office to meet the donors where they are.LAI Principle: Linkage, Interest and Ability - how is a donor connected to your organization, what is their interest in your organization and do they have the ability to make a financial gift to your organizationWhen your organization is just starting a development program, Tara recommends casting a wide net. You need connections with many people from many networks to build a strong development foundation. Development Office is responsible for maintaining the continuity of the message when leadership changes.Mentality of tithing is different from paying bills. It is an opportunity to participate in ministry and priests and lay ministers should not be ashamed to talk about giving and to ask for donations. Organizations need to be able to accept donations in the currency that their donors are using. St. Paul Catholic Center was the first church in the diocese to offer a giving kiosk in the church for parishioners and students to use for their tithe. Now, they offer Venmo as an giving tool. Tara prefers that because it integrates with their database and accounting software. Tara is currently working on a capital campaign to renovate the bottom floor of their parish hall. They went through a planning process whereby they developed a master plan, conducted a feasibility study and then launched a campaign. A previous diocesan campaign was not done well and made many in the community wary of supporting another campaign. St. Paul's learned how strong the feelings were during the feasibility study interviews and spent extra time explaining the case and specifics of the campaign. They recently launched the public phase of their campaign and donors are responding very generously. St. Paul's had a cash reserve when they began their campaign and Tara believes that was useful. However, she recognizes that not every organization can wait until they have savings. Sometimes, the situation requires that the institution move forward with a major initiative despite not having a reserve or despite not being 100% ready. Tara recommends reading articles from the Center for Philanthropy at Indiana University and Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). These articles can provide tips and advice but are shorter and easy to consume.Book recommendations: Imagining Abundance by Kerry Robinson
The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group: Final Major address as TD's CEO This will mark Ed Clark's last major public address as TD's CEO. Ed Clark was appointed Group President and Chief Executive Officer of TD Bank Group on December 20, 2002. On April 3, 2013, Ed announced his intention to retire as President and CEO effective November 1, 2014 at age 67, after 12 years as CEO. He will remain a Director until TD's 2015 Annual Meeting. Following TD's acquisition of Canada Trust Financial Services in February of 2000, Ed joined TD Bank Group as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TD Canada Trust. In this role he oversaw the successful integration of the TD and Canada Trust banking operations. He then served as President and Chief Operating Officer starting in July 2000. Before joining TD, Ed was President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Trust Financial Services. In 1985, he joined Merrill Lynch, and three years later Ed was appointed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Financial Corporation, a position he held until he joined Canada Trust Financial Services Inc. in 1991. From 1974 to 1984, Ed held a number of senior positions in the federal government. Ed graduated from the University of Toronto in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He earned his Master's degree and Doctorate in Economics from Harvard University in 1971 and 1974 respectively. Ed has also received honorary degrees from Mount Allison University, Queen's University, Western University and the University of Toronto. Ed serves as Chairman of the Board of TD Bank N.A. and its subsidiary banks, and also serves as Vice-Chairman of the Board of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. He was the 2010 Cabinet Chair for United Way Toronto, and is currently a member of the Chair's Advisory Council for Habitat for Humanity Toronto, and provides support to WoodGreen Community Services, an organization that delivers programs to build sustainable communities in the Toronto area. Ed is also chair of the Advisory Board for the School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Toronto. Ed has been honoured numerous times for his vision, integrity and strong leadership. He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2010 – one of the country's highest distinctions – for his "contributions to Canada's banking and financial industry, and for his voluntary and philanthropic endeavours." Ed has also received Egale's Leadership Award in honor of his leadership in supporting LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) communities, and the inaugural Catalyst Canada Honour, awarded to individuals who have made a critical and visible difference to women's advancement. In 2010, Ed was named Canada's Outstanding CEO of the Year – widely viewed as the most prestigious award in Canadian business. In 2011, Ed was named Ivey Business Leader of the Year by the Richard Ivey School of Business at the University of Western Ontario. He was acknowledged by GTA Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) with the "2011 Outstanding Philanthropist" award. In 2012 and 2013, Ed was named to Barron's prestigious annual list of the world's 30 best CEOs. Speaker: Ed Clark, Group President and CEO, TD Bank Group *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*