News/Blog

AFP-NYC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM
Thursday Morning, April 12, 2018, Scandinavia House, New York City

Who is the smartest person in the room when developing the strategy for a prospective major donor?

The Board member who introduced the prospective supporter to you?  Your CEO?  A key Volunteer who helps deliver the program?  The program staff member who wrote the curriculum or the one delivering the program? An Alum or Recipient of the services you offer?  A Philanthropist who is already supporting the program?  The C-suite Corporate Executive who is engaged?  A program officer from a foundation with subject-area expertise?  Your development counsel?  Or you, the development professional, perhaps credentialed with a CFRE, ACFRE, FHAP, MBA, MPA…

Director of Development, National Kidney Foundation

In her role as a Director at a premier non-profit consulting firm, Orr Associates, Inc. (OAI), Lisa Keitges works closely with clients in New York City and across the country providing development management and strategic planning assistance. It wasn’t the consulting, but rather the journey, that brought us together over breakfast on the Upper East Side.

AFP-NYC EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Thursday Morning, March 15, 2018, Scandinavia House, New York City

Benjamin Franklin was once asked for assistance raising funds to erect a new meeting-house in Philadelphia.  In what was the first recorded instance of a prospect offering advice instead of money and of capital campaign consulting, Franklin offered,  “I advise you to apply to all those whom you know will give something; next, to those whom you are uncertain whether they will give anything or not, and show them the list of who have given; and lastly, do not neglect those who you are sure will give nothing, for in some of those you may be mistaken.”

One definition of networking is to interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one's career.  I prefer to think of networking as an exchange of ideas and information to advance an entire profession.

Becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) is one of the highest levels of certification a fundraising professional can achieve. Fundraising professionals must demonstrate their ability to raise funds in the sector, participate in 80 hours of continuing education over the previous five years and pass a 200-question exam in order to be designated a CFRE.

President & CEO
Jacobson Consulting Applications, Inc

When I left the corporate world back in the mid-80’s (yes, I’m old), I started a computer consulting company with a friend of mine.  It seemed like the thing to do, given that businesses were hungry for PCs, computer networks and the latest software.  One of my first clients was NYU Medical Center and one of my first projects was to help them select and implement a new fundraising system.  I remember researching a lot of options – the old fashioned way, by perusing the ads in the back pages of nonprofit trade magazines.  Back then, who knew that there were actually publications for nonprofits?

My first fundraising experience was selling stuff—stuff that offered immediate, tangible benefits to the buyer.  First it was Girl Scout Cookies.  Then it was the Toblerone chocolate bars I sold for French club in high school.  My best customers: physics class, third period. 

Based upon the Giving USA 2016 Report, corporate philanthropy for 2015 reached $18.45 billion—an increase of 3.95% from the previous year. Of course, the big question remains—how can your organization connect with one or more of these companies to obtain a piece of those resources in the coming year? Because most corporations and large businesses are multifaceted, navigating their complex structure can feel like standing outside Fort Knox figuring out how to get inside.