What participants say...
"I think the nuts and bolts of being analytical about fundraising gave me a clearer idea of how to do it. The chart and steps involved in that is something that I can share with XYZ Fund and I can see applications for a modified version for building membership. The importance of listening emphatically and connecting all requests to donor interests and needs was important for me to hear as well. Something I can improve upon a lot."
What participants say about the Legacy Gift program...
"Some of the little tips that TREC shared regarding ways of helping boards become more involved with the issue of guidance in legacy giving. Also, hearing from other participants and some of the next steps they are going to take to implement strategies discussed."
Fundraising Assistance
TREC Fundraising for the Future Program
A distance-based learning program. Participation is limited to 8 groups.
The program begins each February.
In these uncertain economic times, it is more important than ever to use effective fundraising approaches, and to have ambitious, achievable and targeted fundraising plans.
TREC’s Fundraising for Future is a distance-based learning program for development and management staff members who are new to fundraising. The series consists of ten web-based training sessions, which will be scheduled monthly from February until November 2010. The sessions will focus on the fundamentals of fundraising, with a concentration on raising more money from more individuals. The logic of this emphasis is two-fold: 1) individuals contribute vastly more money to nonprofits than foundations and corporations, and; 2) a grassroots membership base not only supports the organization financially, but also buttresses environmental issue campaigns.
Fundraising for the Future is open to all Wilburforce grantees in
the U.S. and Canada (or Wilburforce applicants with an invited proposal
on the Foundation’s next docket).
As a building-blocks series Fundraising for the Future is best suited
to groups who have new staff (less than two years tenure) in fundraising
roles (membership manager, development director, or executive director).
Webinar Training Series
Our next sessions — with simultaneous web-based visual content and conference call discussions — will be jam-packed with practical how-to’s, examples from organizations like yours, collegial discussion, and role-playing.
Among the topics we’ll cover:
- Developing and managing a fundraising plan
- Attracting — and retaining — members
- Cultivating, asking, and retaining major donors
- Evaluating your fundraising database
- Initiating or expanding a monthly donor program
- Pursuing bequests and other legacy gifts
- Making smart use of special events
- Getting your Board to fundraise
- Fundraising online
- Motivating and engaging program staff in fundraising
- Other topics that you and your organization my need to diversify and stabilize your fundraising
Each participant group will assign a primary participant who will participate in monthly web-based training sessions. Up to three group representatives can attend specific sessions. For example, the Executive Director and Board leader can attend sessions on major gift fundraising.
Sessions will be led by TREC senior fundraising associates, Elizabeth Hospodarsky and Kim Gilliam.
Want to take part?
Fundraising for the Future Outreach Letter (PDF)
Application for Fundraising for the Future Program (Word)
Please send an electronic copy of the application to Elizabeth Hospodarsky, Senior Associate.
Contact: Elizabeth Hospodarsky (520) 299-1903. [Elizabeth at trec.org]
Elizabeth Hospodarsky, a Senior Associate with TREC, has worked as an organizational and development consultant since 1995.
Kim Gilliam, a Senior Associate with TREC, has been involved in the creation and direction of dynamic fundraising for more than two decades.
Legacy Gifts and Planned Gifts Series
A small group, four session series designed to lay the groundwork for understanding the role of legacy gifts (bequests and planned gifts) for environmental groups in the west. You’ll learn how to jumpstart your own legacy gifts work. Explore myths that can hamper the success of legacy gift efforts, the truth about the tremendous wealth transfer on the horizon, and other opportunities in coming years.
Find out what other successful organizations – small and intermediate sized – are doing right. Learn how to:
- Create a clear path to obtaining your next five legacy gifts
- Increase knowledge and skills so that you will be able to integrate legacy gift opportunities into your day to day work
- Build donor loyalty and trust – a critical building block for successful legacy gift fundraising
- Create the basic materials you need
- Set reasonable goals
- Understand the planned gift marketplace
- Find more help
This series is designed to give a strategic overview tailored for: executive directors, directors of development, board members and volunteers, and key staff members. Many nonprofits of all sizes miss opportunities that legacy and planned gifts present. Have you asked yourself, "Why not us?" This could be your answer.
This series does not have a scheduled start date at this time. Contact Elizabeth Hospodarsky (520) 299-1903. [Elizabeth at trec.org]