DonorPath's Ask An Expert

Got a fundraising question? 

Ask An Expert is a new series where we answer your most pressing fundraising questions, in real-time on LinkedIn.

Simply post your question here, and check back on DonorPath's LinkedIn page for the answer. The next answering session is September 4, 12pm. 

Webinar: How to Engage Your Board in Fundraising

Mission Possible: How to Engage Your Board in Fundraising

Space is limited.
Price: $77
Date: Thurs, January 16, 3-4pm EST or Tues, February 4, 1-2pm EST
Course level: Beginner

Board members join your organization with the best of intentions. And can be among your most powerful assets. So how do you create an environment that causes board members to want to help with the important work of fund development? The key is to make the tasks of donor cultivation, donor acknowledgement and solicitation fun and easy to participate in so they become less scary or daunting. The truth? Your board members may need more clear direction and guidance about HOW to participate so it feels rewarding and is an integral part of their board involvement. In this webinar we'll discuss how the recruitment and onboarding of board members affects their willingness to help with fundraising. You'll learn communication and management tools and techniques to help make fundraising a rewarding experience for the entire board.

What you'll learn from this Live Interactive Webinar:

• When should the fundraising discussion begin with the board? 
• What is the difference between fundraising and development? 
• Whose responsibility is it for development outcomes? 
• Why won't the board be more helpful? And how to get them to be helpful? 
• What are ways the board can be involved in development and NOT have to ask for money? 
• How to measure & share activity that will cause the board to be more interested in their role in fundraising? 
• How to "train" the board to be an asset to your fundraising team? 

This Webinar includes the following supporting materials:

• The supporting slides from the webinar 
• A mini board self-assessment questionnaire 
• A simple Board Matrix Worksheet 
• 3 Sample Annual Board agreements 
• 3 Sample Board Dashboards 
• Recorded Version of Webinar 

REGISTER HERE

Presented by Lori L. Jacobwith. Lori L. Jacobwith has a passion for the positive. Her strategies & tools have helped nonprofit organizations to collectively raise more than $200 million from individual donors over the past decade. She has coached and trained thousands across North America to raise more money and powerfully share their stories. Lori is the founder of the Ignited Online Fundraising Community, the author of Nine Steps to a Successful Fundraising Campaign and the "must-read" fundraising coaching blog: Withism's From Lori: Boldness, Clarity and Wisdom for Fundraising Professionals. In 2013 Lori created the Imagine What's Possible Step-by-Step Storytelling System for nonprofits who want to raise more money from individual donors with ease. Lori lives in Minnesota and is a long-time member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals [AFP].

Upcoming FREE webinar and professional development workshop

SMARTies,

A couple of upcoming opportunities! Do not miss free webinar opportunities or workshops that often times offer reduced prices to nonprofit administrators. Please feel free to offer any advice or requests as to what else you would like see posted on this blog.

Proactive Approaches to Tough Times - Recessions, Sequestrations or Organizational Changes

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

2:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m.

Register

FREE

Speaker: Margaux Pagan, Director of Strategic Fundraising, DonorFuse

Info: The sequestration is but one financial crisis that has and will continue to impact the non-profit world. From the recession to the sequester and even staff turnover can negatively impact your revenue. Using proactive practices is a sure fire way to be ahead of the curve for any financial crisis your organization will endure.

-and-

How can I get my board excited about fundraising?
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m
The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management
Register
Cost: $64 for organizations with budgets under $1M
Speaker: Mary Morten, President, Morten Group

Info: If that's a question you have been asking yourself, this session is for you. Demystify the fundraising process and brush up on your skills through an interactive session designed for CEOs, development directors, and board members. Get practical tips on how to build a culture of fundraising at your organization.

FREE Webinar and Workshop reminder

Happy New Year! I hope everyone started the year on the right foot. There's a couple of webinars and workshop that may be of your interest.

1. This one is very last minute but it's FREE.
What's an Asking Style and How Do I Use Mine?
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 am
Info: Everyone has a unique way of asking for donations. At this webinar you'll learn why it's important to fundraise in your own style, how the Asking Style system will improve your fundraising results and how to choose the perfect prospects to solicit given your style.
Click Here for more info and to Register

2. Reminder: A&BC's workshop 
Building Cultural Corporate Partnerships
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Time: 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Columbia College Chicago
623 S Wabash, Hokin Hall, Rm 109
Price: $45 (npo budget < $250K), $65 (npo budget>$250K/for-profit)
Info: The arts community if aware of the value to form alliances with local businesses and worldwide corporations to build support and visibility. However, arts organizations are often uncertain of how or where to start in developing such relationships. Don't miss the opportunity to learn practical and useful information of how to develop your own prospect list and case studies.
Click Here for more info and to Register

Free Webinar: Growing Your Nonprofit List

Are you tired of being the 'best kept secret' in town? If so, then this webinar is for you! It is possible to grow a larger - and more engaged - audience to help you advance your cause. In this webinar, we'll be covering both online and in-person strategies for getting the word out and increasing your list size.

When: Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Cost: FREE
Register Here

What you'll takeaway:

• One often overlooked strategy to grow your list - just by making one minor change to something you're probably already doing
• Ideas for getting your organization in the paper more often
• Tips for getting the most out of the tree main social media platforms
• The importance of partnerships for list building (and program impact)

About the speaker: Kirsten Bullock, CFRE, MBA is an author and nonprofit coach who works with entrepreneurial nonprofit leaders to help them involve more people in their organizations and raise the money they need. Bullock Counsulting, Inc.

First Step in Fundraising!

Tools and Tips

Date: Thursday, August 16, 2012
Time: 12:00pm - 1:15pm
Location:  Donors Forum Library, 208  S. LaSalle, Suite 1540
Registration: Register for this event

FREE and open to the public but must register.

Alternate dates: Usually every other Tuesday. These workshops fill up fast; advanced registration is required.

About this event: You'll receive a tutorial on using prospecting databases, which you can access free in the library. You'll also receive an overview of the free reference collection of books and resources on grant-writing, individual fundraising, nonprofit management, leadership and governance. Plus, you'll meet our librarian, who is professionally trained to help you use these resources.

Direct-Response Appels that Inspire Donors to Give

Craft a Direct-Response Appeal that Inspires Donors to Give!

Thursday July 19, 2012

1-2 p.m

$75 Early Bird (Ends July 12)
$96 Regular (Starts July 13)


Direct mail and e-mail marketing remain vital sources of income for nonprofits. Keeping those appeals fresh and effective is a challenge for even the most experienced fundraiser, so join this one-hour webinar to learn how to:

• Develop powerful direct-response appeals and integrated print, e-mail, and on-line messages to generate stronger returns.
• Craft appeals that motivate mid-level donors to step up their giving, and produce a sound return on your investment.
• Raise more money using proven techniques
• Make the most of a shrinking budget

This Chronicle od Philanthropy webinar will arm you with the ideas and skills you need to attract more money from loyal donors and gain new supporters. It is designed especially for fundraising managers and directors, communications managers and directors and executive directors.

Speakers include

• Greg Fox, Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer, Merkle
• Lori O'Brien, Director of National Development, Youth Villages

BONUS: When you sign up for this webinar, you'll be able to continue the conversation with The Chronicle and speakers in a LinkedIn discussion group to continue learning long after this one-hour session ends.

Click Here for more information and to register.

Fundraising in the one-person development shop: making the most of a shoestring budget

At the best of times, fundraising can be challenging. But, fundraising in the one person development shop can be daunting, especially when one is working with a shoestring budget. The key situation like these is to know what areas to prioritize, and how to get the biggest bang for your buck because you can't do it all. This seminar will focus on the issues unique to one person fundraising departments, and will drill down in the following areas:

• Keeping your organization on track financially: create and maintain a year round fundraising plan
• Research: research your prospects on a shoestring budget
• Directmail: work with an established third party service provider to maximize your returns
• Major gifts program: develop and maintain a manageable high dollar giving club
• Planned giving: start simple with a will and bequests program
• Donor solicitation: make it easy for your donors to give and for you to receive donations
• Special events: conduct a unique annual event that makes efficient use of volunteers
• Leaderhsip involvement: find creative ways to get your executive director and/or board involvement in the fundraising process

Attendees will walk away with fresh ideas to take their one person development shop to the next level. This session is intended for Executive Directors, Director of Development and any fundraising staff who are working with a limited fundraising budget.

Details

Date: Thursday, July 12, 2012 (More dates are available on the registration page)

Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm

Price: $110.00

Click HERE to register.

Building a Solid Fundraising-Centric Mobile Website and App

2012 is the year of MOBILE fundraising! Today, 1.2 billion people in the world have an internet based smart phone or tablet accessing your website or downloading your app. Don't have one yet? Or have one and want to learn how to increase fundraising efforts? This webinar is perfect for you! We will discuss everything you need to get started with launching and supporting your fundraising-centric mobile website and/or application. Click HERE to register. Cost is FREE.

When:  June 26, 2012 from 2:00pm - 3:00pm

Takeaways:

• Why its a must to have a mobile website/application
• The difference in purpose of a mobile website vs mobile application
• Mobile fundraising best practices and tactics
• Integrating your new mobile channel with traditional direct response initiatives to increse response rates

Successful Event Planning: Friend-raiser vs. Fundraiser

Tues, June 26 from 9:30 – 12:00pm
Columbia College Chicago, 623 S Wabash Ave, Hokin Hall, Rm 109

Panelists:
Carolina Jayaram, Executive Director, Chicago Artists Coalition
Erik Schroeder, Director of Marketing, Lookingglass Theatre Company
Megan Smith, Executive Director, Sideshow Theatre Company
Stef Tovar, Founder/Artistic Director, Route 66 Theatre Company

What does it take to execute a successful  fundraising event and how do you define success? What's the difference between a friend-raiser and a fund-raiser? What are the advantages of each?

This workshop will discuss the benefits and challenges of different types of events, including budgeting, marketing, acquiring donations, and board engagement. Panelists will share their experience creating, managing and evolving their organizations' events and tips for fundraising success.

Who should attend:

• Organizations that are planning a fundraiser for the first time
• Organizatins that have had small, singular events and are hoping to plan 1-2 years ahead
• Board Members, Event Committee Chairs, and staff interested in innovative themes and programming for their upcoming fundraisers.

Price: $45 (npos under $250,000)/ $65 (for-profit/npos over $250,000)
(Nonrefundable)

Register: http://www.artsbiz-chicago.org/events/2012/06/successful-event-planning-friend-raiser-vs-fund-raiser/