Events / Keynotes
Keynote Speaking
Build your conference around fundraising success.
Talks focus on fundraising methods that are edifying for both the donor, the fundraiser and the organization built upon shared interests, a desire to provide a public benefit, and thoughtfulness about how best to deliver on missions in a way that is equitable and inclusive. They combine storytelling from many years in this work and evidence-based science from the field of philanthropy.
Inspire, Educate & Align.
Fundraising work is more effective, efficient, and enjoyable when it benefits from all the research conducted on philanthropy. Informed practice is a better approach than metric-driven models that turn fundraising into sales. Fundraisers pursue careers in philanthropy in order to do good in the world. They need the tools to facilitate successful fundraising that in a way that supports their professional goals and personal well-being.
Keynote Topics
The Social Capital Fundraising Model
The Social Capital Fundraising Model applies research about the impact of social capital on donor behavior to fundraising practice. This approach to fundraising retains donors over the long term, and it has been shown to increase giving. Trainings and talks break down the science behind the model and demonstrate ways to apply it in your fundraising efforts.
Nonprofit Organizations and Community Well-Being
Many nonprofit missions are intended to support and empower communities. Because providing public goods is part of the motivation for giving, many donors are interested in partnering with nonprofits in order to support communities. Trainings and talks discuss the research on factors that contribute to community well-being and demonstrate how cases-for-giving can be framed in that narrative for successful fundraising.
Philanthropy Ethics
Philanthropy is experiencing a period of scrutiny and calls to be more inclusive and equitable. Imbalances of power are a risk in giving and receiving, and fundraising requires a strong understanding and commitment to ethical practice. Talks and trainings go through some of the current trends related to philanthropic ethics including toxic philanthropy, decolonization of wealth, challenges to donor centric fundraising, harassment in the nonprofit workplace, and philanthropy as a contributor to structural racism.
Philanthropy in Libraries
There are more public libraries in the United States than McDonalds, and public support for local libraries is extremely high. However, giving to public libraries is in great decline, and public libraries are closing across the country due to loss of funding. Academic libraries are the engine that drives learning and research in higher education, yet it is the only academic unit where giving has declined over the last thirty years in the United States. Talks and training demonstrate the impact of cuts to library funding for communities and universities and offers solutions that support successful fundraising.
How the History of Philanthropy shaped the Nonprofit Sector and Philanthropy Practice
Philanthropy has a long and fascinating history, but most practitioners have never heard it. Knowing why we do what we do is critical to understanding donor motivation and focusing work in the sector that support philanthropy’s role in our economy and in civil society.
Why do People Give?
There are a variety of motivations for giving. Philosophical and religious frameworks function strongly in philanthropy, but even individual donors don’t always know what’s driving their motivation. Learn about the various moral codes that drive most philanthropic giving, so you can identify the ones at play in your engagement with donors and shape cases-for-support in a way that will align with what’s behind their urge to give.
Managing Fundraisers
The quantitative fallacies behind data-driven performance metrics are burning fundraisers out at an alarming rate. Successful fundraising requires highly developed skills in empathy and relationship-building, and these skills are not measured in data-driven performance models. Focusing only on visits, solicitations, and money-in-the-door is short-sighted, and unprofessional. Integrating and weighting measures that build authentic donor engagement and contribute to a culture of philanthropy will expand fundraising outcomes as fundraisers stay longer, work harder, build stronger engagement, and experience the level of well-being that should be expected in the field of philanthropy.
Ethical Fundraising Practice
Fundraising is full of ethical dilemmas. Issues related to paternalism, toxic workplaces, donor control, pathological altruism and inequality nuance what is often misunderstood to be transactional work. Ethical codes must be developed, promoted and deployed to protect individuals and philanthropic missions. This talk focuses on ethics from both an external and internal lens. Applying ethics is critical to success in building partnerships that support philanthropic missions and fostering a workplace culture that exemplifies philanthropic values.
Recent Talks
Western Social Science Association
Public Libraries and Community Well-Being
COmputers and Libraries and Internet Librarian
Reputation and Success with Social Capital
Cal Poly Alumni Leadership Retreat
How focusing on social capital can expend engagement and impact in alumni relations
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Let’s Connect!
Are you ready to try a fundraising model that actually makes you love your job? Having trouble keeping fundraisers? Are donors just not getting why they should support your work? Call us. We can help with that.