The Essentials of Fundraising Series

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Cleveland Chapter is again offering its popular education series designed to help cover the basics of fundraising for development professionals. The Essentials of Fundraising Series includes modules addressing five essential elements of fund development:

1. Corporate and Foundation Grantseeking
2. Development 101 and Special Events
3. Annual Giving
4. Board and Volunteer Development
5. Individual Major Gift Fundraising

Basic fundraising skills are the foundation of any successful organization. Many organizations have limited human and financial resources and are challenged to develop critical and effective fundraising skills and strategies. Development professionals are asked to manage more than their fundraising functions and have little time to evaluate their systems and fundraising fitness. The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Greater Cleveland Chapter is again presenting its popular education program that offers your organization, its staff and volunteers the essential tactics of fundraising theory and practice. This valuable program will put your organization on the fast track to successful fundraising. The Essentials of Fundraising Series is composed of five modules that have been designed by experienced fundraising professionals to meet the real world needs and challenges nonprofit organizations face every day. The benefits of participating can energize your current fundraising plan and transform a struggling development effort. The Essentials of Fundraising Series provides best practices that will make your future fundraising efforts clearer and more effective.

What are the Essentials?

This series is divided into five interactive workshops. These workshops will help you develop skills that can be tailored to your organization. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to network and develop relationships with some of the finest and most successful fundraisers in the area. You will receive useful tools and materials, including sample fundraising plans, solicitation letters, policies and guidelines and other relevant fundraising resources

How to Register:

Complete form (360K PDF) with credit card information, and:

• Fax: (216) 696-2582, or
• Mail: AFP, Attn: Nancy L. Fester, 1120 Chester Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114

The Essentials Curriculum

Each Course Module will be taught by experienced professionals in each area. Detail on each course module follows:

Module 1: Corporate and Foundation Grantseeking / April 11, 2008

Although 85 percent of U.S. contributions to nonprofit organizations comes from individuals, foundations and corporations are important complements to fundraising efforts. This course will instruct participants on how to fund their unique activities as well as impart effective grant writing and reporting skills. You will also learn how to identify foundations willing to fund your organization's activities. Again this year, an optional afternoon segment (1:30 pm - 3:30pm) will take you on a guided tour of the Foundation Center library and its comprehensive resources.
Presented by: Cynthia Glunt Bailie, Director, the Foundation Center - Cleveland and Michael J. Parry, CFRE, Senior Manager, Corporate and Foundation Support, American Red Cross, Greater Cleveland Chapter

Module 2: Development 101 and Special Events / April 18, 2008

This course focuses on the information and skills needed to establish an integrated fundraising program. During this session, participants will learn how to identify potential funding sources and how different types of fundraising fit into the bigger picture. This course will provide methods for assessing your institution's readiness, defining your case, developing resources and establishing basic policies and procedures needed to manage a solid fundraising program. Additionally, this course addresses the importance of special events and how they can be used as an effective entry point for donors into an organization.
Presented by: Constance S. Sipple, CFRE, President, Profile Solutions Inc. and Lauren P. Steiner, JD, President, Grants Plus

Module 3: Annual Giving / April 25, 2008

This course is designed to help you discover core constituencies and turn them into continuous annual donors. Knowing the range of techniques available will help you design a plan and develop strategies to move donors on the path of lifetime commitment to your organization.
Presented by: Amy Restorick-Roberts, CFRE, Director of Development, Jennings Center for Older Adults and Lisa Paul Sierk, Development Director, Neighborhood House Association

Module 4: Board and Volunteer Development / May 2, 2008

This course is designed to show you how to work with and energize volunteers to help your organization raise money efficiently and effectively. Participants also will learn how to recruit the best volunteer fundraisers as well as how to evaluate your current team.
Presented by: Deborah Osgood, Director of Development and Marketing, Achievement Centers for Children and Margie Wheeler, community board member and consultant to foundations and nonprofits

Module 5: Individual Major Gift Fundraising / May 9, 2008

This course explains how to engage donors at a deeper level so that their annual giving reaches maximum financial capacity. It will provide development officers, staff and board members of nonprofit organizations a framework for developing a successful individual major gifts program. Participants will learn how to lay the foundation of necessary attitudes, skills, insight and knowledge.
Presented by: Kristin Broadbent, CFRE, Director, Lakewood Hospital Foundation and Susan Ertle, Director of Development, West Side Catholic Center

Enrollment is limited, so register today. Complete the registration form (360K PDF) and fax it with credit card information to (216) 696-2582. You may also mail it to:

AFP
Attn: Nancy L. Fester
1120 Chester Avenue, Suite 470
Cleveland, OH 44114