Association of Fundraising Professionals
WASHINGTON CHAPTER
WASHINGTON STATE MEMBER E-NEWS UPDATE:
Summer 2005 edition
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Table of Contents
- From the Desk of the President
- Save the Date: On Nov 17, A Spirit of Philanthropy Will Fill the Room...
- Just in Time: A Brand New Tool for Every Member´s Kit
- AFP WA´s Monthly Fundraising Strategy: The Major Gift
- Online with AFP: Your Map to the AFP International Site
- AFP Focus on Diversity
- The Fall Program Slate
- Need a Job? Need an Employee? We Can Make it Easier.
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From the Desk of the President
, CFRE
Hurricane Katrina showed the power of the non-profit sector: focused, responsive, flexible and direct. Americans also responded immediately with over $1 billion in support to fuel non-profits ability to reach more people with what they need, when they need it. There is no doubt that the non-profit sector is a powerful force. And our potential is exponential. However, we need to address our professional challenges: diversity, ethics, the new donor, the role of the internet and technology. No one can do this alone. AFP is offering two approaches to strengthening your organization this fall: professional development for you and community recognition for your volunteers. I encourage you to come out of your office (the work will wait) and invest in yourself this fall. Join your peers for the variety of programming AFP offers. And bring a colleague - as the more members we have, the stronger our profession.
Sustaining, growing and nurturing volunteer leadership is one of the biggest challenges non-profit's face. With increasing demands on time, challenging jobs and families, our board members and volunteers are stretched. This fall, invest in thanking them in front of the community. National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 17 will be adding a "Community Stars" opportunity for non-profits to recognize as many volunteers as you want. While it is nice to thank them at your own annual events, think of how they will feel to be thanked in front of the community. I hope you build in National Philanthropy Day into your annual stewardship program...I promise you it will be worth it.
We are gearing up for change this fall: planning for 2006, nomination of officers and board members and focusing on growing our chapter. None of that is possible without clear communications. I am proud to unveil our new local website which we hope will become an invaluable tool to help you get more mileage out of our AFP website as well as build community with other AFP members. Thank you to Carol Borgmann, Elizabeth Purvis and Gabriel Rhoads for their hundreds of volunteer hours in completely reworking every aspect of AFP's communications.
Good luck as we close in on the final fall fundraising season. Know that your AFP chapter is here to support you with all of your professional needs and to help you connect with Washington State's leading fundraisers. We welcome your feedback and suggestions for 2006 programming.
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Save the Date: On Nov 17, A Spirit of Philanthropy Will Fill the Room...
National Philanthropy Day goes beyond honoring the incredible generosity that makes the entire non-profit sector possible. Come join us to be INSPIRED by the philanthropic spirit that makes our world a better place. We invite you to attend on November 17 to give thanks to your incredible donors and volunteers, be moved by stories of kindness, and be energized by the work we do as professional fundraisers. Come honor the *Stars* that make a difference.
*Stars*
This year, as we welcome you to National Philanthropy Day, we also invite you to recognize the contributions of your most important supporters. You know who they are: maybe it is an unsung hero, a board member, or a superlative donor.
Invite them to sit with you at the event and honor them with our *Stars* program for only an additional $10 plus the cost of a luncheon ticket. We will list both their name and your organization in the program and on a scrolling screen at the luncheon. They will also receive a beautiful leaf pin. Take us up on the offer, we'd love the chance to recognize the *Stars* of your organization, and to provide visibility for you! Stay posted for more information soon.
Save the Date - Stay posted for information about *Stars* and registration
National Philanthropy Day
Thursday, November 17, 2005
noon to 1:30 p.m.
Seattle Sheraton Hotel
To find out more about this 17th year of the National Philanthropy celebration in Washington, hosted by AFP WA, go to the website.
And as you join us to be inspired in November, also think about the nominating the *Stars* around you to be a Philanthropy Award Nominee for 2006. We'll look forward to seeing you on November 17.
2005 Award Honorees
Corporation: Puget Sound Energy
Small Business: Canlis Restaurant
Foundation: Washington Dental Service Foundation
Organization: Community Voice Mail
Philanthropists: Paul and Debbi Brainerd
Family: The Milgard Family
Youth: Perry Ortiz-Williams
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Just in Time: A Brand New Tool for Every Member´s Kit
, CFRE
We´ve taken your advice. We read through all of your answers to our website survey, and put your great ideas into action. Just in time for the fall fundraising season, we at AFP are proud to announce the launch of our new website! It boasts many new features to help you make the most out of your membership. Just a few examples to entice you to find out more for yourself are included below. View the whole site at www.afpwashington.org.
- Code of Ethics - Read up on the guiding principles that are of paramount importance to AFP, including an introduction to the AFP International Ethics Center.
- About - Find out more about the AFP, and email a board member if you have a question.
- Events - Keep checking back to see our frequently updated list of AFP and partner events. The new section features online registration.
- Jobs - Stay updated on the current jobs available in the community, or recruit a great employee from the AFP network. Includes the ability to post jobs online.
- Resources - Keep your tools sharpened by browsing this broad and growing section. You can find archived ‘hot tips´ on Fundraising, resources on promoting diversity, assistance using the international site, and much more.
- Membership - Check out ways to get most of your AFP membership, including involvement in our many engaging committees.
- Thanks - A big thank you to all of the people that make the work of AFP Washington possible!
We know that the new site will be a valuable resource - don´t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or ideas. Simply contact us here.
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AFP WA´s Monthly Fundraising Strategy: The Major Gift
, CFRE
We are excited to unveil AFP Washington´s hot tip of the month. Each month we´ll be sending a new strategy to keep your tools sharpened and your ideas current. Do you have a question you would like to see answered by our experts? Feel free to drop me an email, and then look for it in a future edition!
This month, we ask: "what really works in major gift fundraising?" , the AFP Washington President, offers her answer.
Healthy communities need successful nonprofits, but it takes money to get there. When forming our development strategy, it´s important to remember that 80 percent of all gifts come from individuals. Most of them are regular people like you and me who want to help, but they have to be asked. The suggestions below help you lay the groundwork for achieving the best results.
- Establish the right mindset.
Remember: You aren´t asking for yourself, you´re asking for your mission. - Make the best use of your time for maximum return.
Focus on where the money is - individuals - and be sure to make direct contact. The more personal the ask, the bigger the gift. - Understand why your organization needs support in the first place.
Convey this message in your own words, in your own style. - Understand and believe in a compelling case for major gifts.
Know your organization´s relevance and express it with passion. - Take it seriously.
Casual requests = casual (small) gifts. - A donor-centered approach is the only way.
"When I´m getting ready to reason with a person, I spend one-third of my time thinking about myself and what I´m going to say, and two-thirds of my time thinking about her/him and what s/he´s going to say." - Abraham Lincoln, slightly paraphrased - Commit to all four steps of the ask.
- Preparation and practice.
- The call: Focus on the meeting, not the money.
- The meeting and request: 95 percent vision/mission, 5 percent ask.
- Follow-up: an effort most organizations skip.
- Ask for a specific amount or range.
Make sure the donor knows what you want. - Don´t hear no unless the donor actually says it.
"Wow, that´s a lot of money" means just that. Your answer: "I know it is - and our mission needs it." - Above all, stay focused on your mission´s importance.
The donor will be impressed by your conviction.
This installment features pointers from AFP Washington´s president, Sonya Campion, CFRE, vice-president of The Collins Group and a 22-year fundraising veteran.
Visit the AFP Washington fundraising strategies page section often for more tips for effective fundraising.
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Online with AFP: Your Map to the AFP International Site
AFP Web Team
Did you know that your AFP membership connects you to cutting edge research on baby boomer giving trends? How about the latest news on the increasing postage rates, which will impact all of our direct mail programs? Did you know that AFP provides you with updates on how Hurricane Katrina has affected the fundraising climate?
Neither did I. But, our job as the local chapter is to keep you informed, and in touch with the immense amount of information stored on the AFP International Site. The site offers a phenomenal collection of news that affects you, studies about your donors, connections to useful resources, and more. Ever been daunted when accessing it? How do you make the most of this spectacular tool? We have the answer.
We´ve compiled a list of the sections that our members have told us they use most often, along with quick descriptions and links. If you spend a few moments to check it out, it could save you some time, or maybe even let you know of a resource that you did not yet know about. Visit our Using the AFP International Site page to read about:
- The 24 Hour Resource Center
- The Directory or Consultants and Resource Partners
- The Education and Career Directory
- The Marketplace and Bookstore
- The Member Gateway
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AFP Focus on Diversity
, CFRE
It is almost a sold out event, but there is still time to sign up for the AFP Washington´s 5th annual Diversity Workshop on September 29. The social demographics of our community are rapidly changing. Is your organization riding the crest of change or continuing to do business as usual? Does it matter? Join your AFP friends and colleagues for a luncheon panel discussion to explore the provocative issues around diversity and philanthropy, and their implications for you, the fundraising professional. Three leaders in philanthropy will consider how diversity shapes their giving, why diversity is important to the organizations they represent, and how fundraisers can become involved in their own organization´s journey toward diversity.
We invite you to attend the Diversity Workshop on the 29th. For more information, visit this event´s page. For those unable to attend, stay tuned for a synopsis!
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The Fall Program Slate
Spend the fall with AFP. Join us as we stay informed about issues affecting us as professional fundraisers. Our exciting programs of local, statewide, and national significance culminate in National Philanthropy Day, on November 17. Find out more about our exciting programs, including the cutting-edge eTour, the almost sold out diversity workshop, and the special rate on the Donor Centered Fundraising Conference.
Sep 29 - Diversity Workshop, Seattle
Almost sold out! Grab seats fast for this event. Read more in this issue of e-news, in the Focus on Diversity.
Oct 05 - Conflicting Values: Solving Ethical Dilemmas, Seattle
Review contemporary case studies and learn a process of solving ethical dilemmas in fundraising, such as incentive compensation, donor relations and unpaid pledges, and tainted money.
Oct 12 - Program Planning Meeting, Seattle
Share all of your ideas, and help us plan the 2006 program calendar. We want your input!
Oct 14 - Donor-Centered Fundraising, Seattle
Great special rate for AFP members! Back by popular demand, Penelope Burk of Cygnus Applied Research presents Donor Centered Fundraising.
Nov 09 - Nonprofit Internet Strategies eTour, Spokane
Nov 10 - Nonprofit Internet Strategies eTour, Seattle
Do your donors know how to find you online? Are you effectively reaching younger donors with your website? This great opportunity to attend an intensive four hour session by the ePhilanthropy foundation will give you the tools to make the most out of your internet presence. The eTour is appropriate for all levels of web sophistication.
"It was a great way to build a strategy for how our website would support ALL of our fundraising functions!" - Attendee from previous eTour
Nov 17 - National Philanthropy Day, Seattle
Invite your organization´s *Stars*, and join us as we celebrate the spirit of philanthropy that makes our work possible. Read more about this celebration in this issue of e-news.
Be sure to stay posted, as our program calendar is updated frequently.
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Need a Job? Need an Employee? We Can Make it Easier.
AFP Web Team
Attention job-seekers and employers! Get results with openings posted online in our new job section. AFP is the connection between Washington´s finest fundraisers.
Making it easier for employers
New jobs are easy to post online, and are frequently checked by our membership (we know, we asked).
Making it easier for job seekers
The postings change frequently. If you´re in the market for a new job, be sure to come back often to look for new openings.
Connecting Washington´s Professional Fundraisers
We´re making it easier for everyone by connecting professional fundraisers. Be sure to check out our programs for great networking opportunities and professional development. Want to keep informed or take the next step? For information on certification, strategy tips, and continued learning, don´t miss our resources page.