Virtual Fund Development Institute, Fall 2021

Fund development is the lifeblood of nonprofits, yet many organizations struggle with creating a diverse and sustainable funding model. With the constantly changing landscape and resource challenges like urgent program needs, limited staff, and shifts in "best practices," it can be difficult to find the time to write a development plan, craft a compelling case for support, build relationships with donors, write effective grant proposals, and solicit for both annual and major gift support.  

The Fund Development Institute (FDI) is a 5 session, hands-on institute that builds basic fund development skills, introduces advanced techniques, and works with nonprofit leaders and development staff to focus time on the essential work of fundraising. The curriculum includes:

• Creating your Development Plan: Charting your Course of Success with timelines and specifics.
• Building your Fundraising House: Internal infrastructure foundations for success including roles, responsibilities and retention.
• Intentional Communication: Messages and marketing that raise money and keep donors engaged for the long haul.
• Relationship Based Fundraising: Cultivating and growing your best donors.
• Making the Ask: Practical ways to make the case for support and lay the foundation for success moving ahead.
• Giving Gratitude: Stewardship that works through building a culture of appreciation.
• Fundraising in the time of COVID-19: What's working and what's not.  
• Plus a few tips, tricks and tools of the trade that can make your life easier!

Each session includes instruction, discussion, and practical application to your own organization's actual materials, website, and calendar. This institute is designed so that participants walk away with skills and approaches that can be integrated into your current strategies and implemented immediately.
 
Who should attend?
Fundraisers, Fund Developers, Advancement Professionals and Executive Directors -- anyone tasked with generating resources for their organizations.
 
Structure:

• The Institute consists of five half-day sessions (9:00 a.m. - Noon): August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
• Sessions are held virtually via Zoom.
• Attendance is limited to 23 participants who commit to attending all sessions in full.

Guidelines:

• Participants must be a paid employee of a Nonprofit Connect member organization with 501(c) status. (Not yet a member? Click here.)
• Open to those tasked with generating resources for their organizations.
• Participants commit to attending all sessions.
• No refunds will be processed after July 23, 2021. Full payment of the program fee must be received by July 23, 2021 in order to reserve your place in FDI. 

Presenters:

Katie Lord is Vice President of Nonprofit Development at Proof and brings extensive background in nonprofit development and marketing. She has spent her entire career working in the social sector, first in fundraising and development then transferred her skills to nonprofit consulting with Byrne Pelofsky + Associates where she served as a Vice President and Consultant. Katie's strength and passion is working with nonprofit organizations to increase their fundraising and development success through strategic, donor-based long term planning.

Katie is a BoardSource Certified Consultant in board governance, as well as a speaker and trainer in the nonprofit sector. She serves on the Kansas City AFP Chapter Board. 


Merritt Neil is the President/Principal of M&C, a Kansas City marketing communications firm. As a direct marketing strategist, copywriter and trainer, she specializes in providing measurable results for clients through a range of marketing channels, print and digital. She regularly consults and writes for both for-profit and nonprofit national organizations. 

Merritt serves on the faculty at Rockhurst University  She is past president of the Kansas City Direct Marketing Association. KCDMA named Merritt "Direct Marketer of the Year" in 2012. Merritt currently serves on the Board of Directors at Nonprofit Connect and the Kansas City Direct Marketing Education Foundation.


Monica Tiffany is the Creative Director/Principal of M&C and specializes in developing effective communications strategy for companies and organizations. She has written for Shriners Hospitals for Children, National Geographic, Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the American Red Cross, to name a few. As a professional creative director and copywriter, she speaks to both local and national audiences about copywriting, messaging and creative strategy. Monica served as VP of Marketing and Communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals.


Luann Feehan is the President & CEO of Nonprofit Connect, a Certified BoardSource Governance Trainer, DiSC Behavioral Assessment Trainer, and an experienced nonprofit board member.  She brings over twenty years of experience in leading successful nonprofit teams.  Luann is a sought-after expert on nonprofit trends and best-practices, and a leading voice in Kansas City's nonprofit community.
 

Full participation in this training is also applicable for 15 points in Category 1.B - Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

Cancellation/Program Policies:

No refunds will be processed within 3 business days of the program date. No shows will be billed. Nonprofit Connect may take photographs, screenshots, or video recordings at public and virtual events, so we ask that you read our Privacy Policy for more information. Each registration is for one individual. We kindly ask that you do not circulate your webinar link with others who have not registered.

So that we can serve you better, we want to understand who is in the room. You will be asked two demographics questions as you register for this event. We will never share your individual information, and we will only report on demographics in aggregate. Any questions or comments? Contact us at info@npconnect.org.