October Professional Development | The Ethical Challenges of All Positions in a Fundraising Shop: Annual Fund, Major Gifts, Grant Writer, Planned Giving, Director of Development, Event Specialist (and Consultant)   The recording of this session is available HERE.   In this session, Alex Comfort, CFRE, is going to share a true  story he has never told publicly – not in his book or in his Fundraising Boot Camp. He says people in his past have told him that the story is “life changing”, and he wants us to tune in and consider it. The session considers the [...]

January Professional Development | Mobilizing Your Agency with a Tactical Calendar The recording of this program is available HERE. Have you ever wished you could improve coordination and collaboration across your organization? What if you could leverage advocates throughout the operation to share key messages and reach your audiences? Join Jim Brewer for an overview of how to set up a tactical calendar to strategically mobilize different departments and/or locations so that you can share your message and mobilize your donors. The objectives of a tactical calendar are to provide an overall framework for the organization, promote monthly themes, clarify communications and [...]

March Professional Development | Non-profit and Local Government Relationships: A Conversation from Both Sides of the Table Critical to our success as fund raisers is understanding the dynamics of how non-profits can build better relationships with their local government and elected leaders. Presenter Amanda Edwards is in a unique position serving as a Buncombe County Commissioner and fundraiser simultaneously. Join us for inside tips and a conversation with Amanda about how to strengthen your case for support and build lasting relationships with your local government and elected leaders. About Amanda Edwards Amanda Edwards, CFRE, is the Executive [...]

June Professional Development Privilege, Power & Philanthropy: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Fundraising World The recording of this event is available HERE. The goal of fundraising is to raise money for good causes. In our effort to do “good work”, might we also be causing harm? In presenting Privilege, Power & Philanthropy, Danae Jones Aicher will guide us in thinking more deeply about who we approach for fundraising and how, and how -- without an understanding of power and privilege -- we might be upholding and maintaining old systems of oppression. Presented [...]

September Professional Development | Crypto Philanthropy The recording of this presentation is available HERE. The slides for this presentation are available HERE. With the massive surge in valuations over the last few years, cryptocurrency is gaining popularity among a rapidly growing number of investors who hope to cash in on its phenomenal growth. As cryptocurrency assets rise, many investors are opting to donate crypto to reduce their tax burden. In this session, we will: 1. Decode what cryptocurrency and blockchain technology is 2. Discuss why crypto donations matter to your organization 3. Outline steps that will prepare [...]

January Professional Development | Prospect Research The recording of this program is available via YouTube HERE. The slides for this presentation are available for download HERE. Despite what the big vendors may want you to believe, basic prospect research can be done on a budget of absolutely nothing at all. Prospect research relies on information that is by definition public, and there’s more of it than you might realize! In this session, we’ll go step-by-step through a basic prospect profile template to learn about freely available resources to fill in each area. Bring your Google-fu, your curiosity, [...]

February Professional Development | Why a Gift Acceptance Policy Saves Embarrassment and Reduces Confusion The recording of this program is available HERE. The slides for this program are available for download HERE.   Every not for profit no matter what its size needs a gift acceptance policy. Why? To protect you from having to receive gifts you don't want (are there such things???? Yes!!!) and to ensure the donor is aware of your organization's values. Our Zoom session will cover such topics as what are our organizations' blues? How do I discover them and who codifies them? What is an example [...]

May Professional Development | The Annual Fund - Unsung Hero of Fundraising A recording of this program is available HERE. The slides for this program are available for download HERE. The annual fund is the building block for all fund raising. It can create a base of donors who consistently demonstrate their commitment to the mission of an organization, give those treasured unrestricted gifts and respond to simple but heartfelt solicitations. This program will focus on the practicality and math of a solid and successful annual fund program. Presented by Kimerly Hinkelman Kimerly [...]

August Professional Development | Quantifying Connection: The 5 Evolutions of AI in Philanthropy The recording of this program is available HERE. The slides for this program are available for download as PDF HERE.   Nonprofit organizations are facing an ongoing Generosity Crisis as the pool of potential donors continues to shrink. However, advanced technology is the only scalable solution for reversing downward trends in charitable giving. By leveraging AI technologies like machine learning and generative AI like ChatGPT, fundraisers can create efficiencies while prioritizing relationships over revenue and target the best donors with the greatest long-term value. [...]