Sessions I
10 AM - 11:30 AM
- Thursday May 17th 2012
How a struggling nonprofit surpassed its fundraising targets by creating a compelling case for donor support and how other nonprofits can do the same
The presentation will use a 2011 case study of Parrott Creek Child & Family Services to illustrate an effective approach to fundraising. Melissa will be joined in the presentation by two consultants retained by Parrott Creek in the execution of this approach: Rich Bruer, a Portland, OR branding and communications advisor, and Jay Rymeski, a Portland, OR video producer and writer. They will speak to how an organization unprepared for fundraising was able to surpass critical fundraising targets in 2010/11. They will break down their successful approach and show how it can be adopted by other nonprofits in making their case for financial support.
Learning objectives:
- Preparing board and key staff members for their fundraising role and responsibilities
- Building an emotionally compelling case statement that inspires board and staff as much as donors
- Bringing your case statement to visual life and drawing donors into your story
Presented by: Melissa Thomsen, Director of Development - Parrott Creek Child & Family Services.
Rich Bruer, Principal - R. Bruer Company.
Jay Rymeski, Founder - Current Communications.
What do I do with the donor prospects now? - brainstorming, interaction, ideas and a review of Creative Cultivation
Throughout 25 years of development work, I've thought of and implemented template cultivation for a more generalized use, very specific cultivation (e.g. when we asked a donor for a "top off" gift to a match, I presented him with a top hat to celebrate his saying 'yes') to truly out-of-the-box cultivation/stewardship (a bathrobe competition while donors stayed overnight in the dorm rooms they "sponsored" which had 40 participants!). This session will be fully integrated and participants will be creatively "divvied up" in small groups that will consider general (such as a presentation by a faculty member at your institution), cultivation of "those around the donor" such as flowers for the assistant who helps arrrange things, "touches" such as sending an article or quick e-mail link, exclusive personalized cultivation (such as having a personalized cake made for the occasion of a visit) and out-of-the-box cultivation that will surprise the workshop participants. Small groups of participants will generate their own ideas to share, after hearing some "words of inspiration" from me, then the whole group will hear all the best ideas.
Learning objectives:
- How to distinguish various types of cultivation and why they are important
- Fresh ideas for cultivation and stewardship
- Why thinking "out-of-the-box" in particular is important for donor acquisition and retention
Presented by: Lori Sweeney, Director of Development, Neurosciences - OHSU Foundation.
Two development professionals, who have more than 20 years combined experience raising funds from local and regional corporations and businesses, will share habits, systems, and best practices that will lead to more effective proposals, better relationships and stronger partnerships with businesses of all sizes. Participants are asked to bring one challenge that they have been facing in the pursuit of corporate support for their organization. A case study from a local corporate representative may be included in this session.
Learning objectives:
- Best practices and regular habits of effective Corporate Relations Managers
- Why it is important to put yourself in the “shoes” and “minds” of the corporation when approaching them for any type of support
- Relationships matter more than anything else
Presented by:
Cynthia Thompson, Director of Development & Marketing - Macdonald Center.
Jane Morrison, Corporate Relations Manager - Oregon Humane Society.
Trends in high net worth philanthropy and why (and how) WE need to keep up
Recent research on high net worth philanthropy and philanthropic trends shows in no uncertain terms that donors are demanding a new level of connection to the cause and are looking for giving opportunities that accomplish a number of new objectives. They are also seeking advice from new sources and trending away from the traditional planned giving channels. In this presentation, we will outline those trends and highlight ways to accommodate them through donor-centered fundraising.
Participants will:
- Learn how women, baby boomers and other factors are changing the way affluent donors give
- Learn what research shows is what high net worth donors "expect" from both their advisors and their gifts
- Understand better the unique place that the nonprofit can fill at the donor's planning table
Presented by: Tracy Love-Silver, President/founder - Shared Legacy Resources.
Insights into what engages visitors and makes gets them to donate and how good user experience ties into strong Search Engine Optimization
This workshop will examine nonprofit websites. We’ll look at key principles of information design in relation to goals. We’ll share new findings in neuro web design that offer surprising insights into what engages visitors and makes it more likely they will donate. And we’ll demonstrate how good user experience ties into strong SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
Learning objectives:
- specific, concrete advice on improvements they can make in wording, design, layout, and structure to their organization’s website
- Clear and effective strategies that can be applied to any organization’s website
- Common misconceptions about website design will be revealed
Presented by:
Julia Stoops, Owner and Creative Director - Blue Mouse Monkey Inc.
Shelise Gieseke, Studio Manager - Blue Mouse Monkey Inc.