March 31, 2006
In the flurry of activity that encompasses any fundraiser's average day, it is easy to neglect your own professional development. While seemingly insignificant, professional development plays a huge role in your ability to secure dollars for your nonprofit. Here are ways to increase your fundraising capacity.
Professional knowledge
You may have read every book published on fundraising, from grant making and annual fund to major gifts and planned giving, but oftentimes the best fundraising advice can be found in for-profit literature. Commit to reading at least one business, financial, sales, marketing or corporate management book each month. Throughout the week, read the business and financial pages of your local and national newspapers. Look for potential new donors and corporations, but look also for tips and trends in for-profit business practices.
Networking
While it is important to meet and dialogue with fellow nonprofit managers and fundraisers on a regular basis, plan also to engage in social functions at the community, political and corporate levels throughout the year. It may feel awkward at first, but you can learn about corporate and individual philanthropy and meet many contacts at these functions. Key donors, volunteers or Board members may be able to offer entrée into appropriate events.
Daily practices
Simple as it sounds, often fundraisers neglect themselves and their personal needs. When the focus is on raising money and the profile of your nonprofit, you may lose sight of your own physical requirements. An exhausted fundraiser running on coffee, Altoids or a curious combination of both is not as effective as one who has had solid rest, nourishment and can hit the ground running. Take care of yourself, know your limitations and set realistic personal goals. It can make a world of difference to your nonprofits' bottom line.
These suggestions work best when integrated together and implemented over time. Change and knowledge do not happen overnight.
- Jennifer Aday, MS, Vice President (Kansas City) jennifer@hartsookcompanies.com
In this issue: More than $104 million in new or recent gifts, including six of $1 million or greater.
• TLC for Children and Families' (Olathe, Kan.) "Bringing Our Children Home" capital campaign continues to enjoy strong success. Gifts and pledges to the campaign, which seeks a total of $8.15 million, now stand at $6.49 million and include the following: $590,120 from an anonymous donor; $250,000 from the Hodgdon Family Charitable Fund; $60,000 from the Victor and Caroline Schutte Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.); $25,000 from Optimist Youth Homes (Overland Park, Kan.); $20,000 from the Miller and Jeanette Nichols Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.); and $20,000 from Dennis Pugh Homes, LLC (Gardner, Kan.). Congratulations to Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs Terry and Peggy Dunn; Campaign Co-Chairs Jon Stewart and the Hon. Barbara Allen; CEO Bob Drummond, EdD; and Vice President of Grant Administration and Endowment Development Tim Keeton. - Matthew J. Beem, President (Kansas City)
• Camp Wood YMCA (Elmwood, Kan.) began 2006 with two new capital projects under construction: four new all-season cabin complexes and a new sewer system. These projects are part and parcel to a $3.9 million initiative to renovate current physical assets and add new facilities. The "Great Kids, Great Futures" campaign continues forward as the camp looks to raise an additional $1 million to construct a new lodge. Camp Wood is the only extended stay, accredited overnight YMCA camp in Kansas. The camp will celebrate its 90th birthday with an open house on Saturday, May 6th. - Robert G. Swanson, President (Wichita)
• Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital (Cleveland, Ohio) received a $20.6 million gift from the Rainbow Babies & Children's Foundation. The gift includes $5 million toward a $25.2 million neonatal intensive care unit, $5 million in matching funds to recruit and keep top physicians through 10 endowed chairs, $7 million for non-medical programs to help families and $3.6 million for clinical programs. The gift will be distributed over a five-year period. - The [Cincinnati] Enquirer
• African American icon Gordon Parks was laid to rest in Fort Scott, Kansas this month. The 92-year-old painter, director, poet and author became the first African American photographer for Life Magazine and his autobiographical movie filmed in Fort Scott, The Learning Tree has been honored as one of the top 25 most meaningful films in American cinema. Fort Scott Community College is home to the Gordon Parks Center for Culture & Diversity. Its annual Gordon Parks Photography Awards routinely draw entrees from around the world. The annual Gordon Parks Celebration in October honors nationally prominent individuals who have illustrated during their lives a commitment to advancing racial and cultural understanding in America and around the globe. - Terry Kyle, CFRE, JD, Senior Vice President (San Antonio, Texas)
• The University of Southern California (Los Angeles) received a $23 million pledge from local arts patrons and alumni Gayle and Edward P. Roski, Jr. (Los Angeles). The gift will be used to expand the School of Fine Arts' tenure-track faculty, significantly increase student fellowships for the school's two graduate programs and enhance technological support for innovative undergraduate teaching. In recognition of the gift, the university will rename the school the USC Gayle Garner Roski School of Fine Arts. - University of Southern California
• Camp Fire USA Heartland Council (Prairie Village, Kan.) received a $5,000 grant from the Oppenstein Brothers Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.) in support of the Hispanic Community Family Club (CFC) program. The council also received a $1,000 grant from JE Dunn Construction (Kansas City, Mo.) for repairs needed at the Heartland Council's residential and day camp - Camp Shawnee, which consists of 318 acres in the forested bluffs above the Missouri River and provides camping opportunities to all youth, not just members of Camp Fire. Congratulations to CEO Stacey Brown. - Tammy Grampsas, Senior Consultant (Kansas City)
• Marillac Center for Children (Overland Park, Kan.) has surpassed the $7 million mark in their $8 million "Brighter Tomorrows" campaign. The campaign will provide Marillac and its clients with a new building, facility renovations, a new school and a therapy wing. Congratulations to Director of Development Bridgette Brooks. - Susan Schneweis, Executive Vice President (Kansas City)
• Lithuania Christian College (Klaipeda, Lithuania) is grateful to those individuals who have agreed to serve on the U. S. Volunteer Campaign Leadership Committee for the $25 million "Transformations" campaign: Todd and Janet Gibson (Seattle, Wa.), Bill and Marilyn Goff (Atlanta, Ga.), Russ and June Michaelsen (Santa Barbara), Gerald and Ellen Neufeld (Los Altos, Calif.), Dennis and Janice Turner (Tulsa, Okla.) and Dwight and Cheryl Wyse (Harrisonburg, Va.). Current campaign commitments stand at nearly $14 million. - Vern Henricks, Senior Vice President (Wichita)
• The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis (Miami, Fla.) received a $1 million gift from the Gloria Estefan Foundation (Miami). The gift is earmarked to fund cutting-edge human clinical trials at the research center and will fast-track promising Miami Project findings to help hasten a cure for paralysis. This gift is an extension of the Estefan's generosity towards The Miami Project. Gloria serves on the Board of Directors of The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis (Miami), the fundraising arm of The Miami Project. As well, she served as Capital Campaign Director for the $40 million project to build the Lois Pope LIFE Center, home of The Project, and made a $250,000 gift to the campaign. Gloria has served as Chairperson for Destination Fashion, a fundraising event, and will serve as Celebrity Host for the Second Annual Mercedes-Benz Ace for a Cure Fashion Extravaganza. She also donates the royalties of two of her hit songs to The Miami Project. Including the most recent gift, the Estefans have personally given or helped raise more than $42 million for paralysis research. - University of Miami
• reStart (Kansas City, Mo.) received a gift of $75,000 from the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City for the Mental Health Services Program to help enhance the clinical services available to the 380 men, women, youth and families reStart serves each day. In addition, a $67,500 gift from the Hall Family Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.) earned Missouri Affordable Housing Association Program (AHAP) tax credits. - Jennifer Aday, Vice President (Kansas City)
• The Port Authority of Kansas City's Riverfront West project received a $200,000 grant from the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) which is designated for the Riverfront West Interpretive Center. The overall campaign is set at $4.6 million and is an excellent example of a public-private partnership. Congratulations to Executive Director Pat Sterrett and Board of Commissioners Chair Linda Ward. - Teresa Stohs, MS, Vice President (Kansas City)
• The Old Globe Theatre (San Diego) received a $20 million gift from Donald and Darlene Shiley (San Diego). The gift, the largest in the theater's history, goes toward the Globe's $75 million "Securing a San Diego Landmark" campaign to build a new second stage, create an education center and bolster the theater's endowment. - The San Diego Union-Tribune
• CareLink's (North Little Rock, Ark.) capital campaign is gaining momentum. Gifts and pledges to the campaign stand at more than $1 million and include the following commitments: $500,000 from an anonymous couple; $20,000 from Ann and Steve Leek; $8,000 from Myra Runyon; and $5,200 from Frank Wait. Congratulations to Campaign Co-Chairs Charles and Betty Hathaway and Alfred Williams; Cabinet members Sherri and Jerry Damerow and Edwina and Jerry Wilson; CEO Elaine Eubank; and Vice President for Development Ann Leek. - Matt Beem
• The Boys & Girls Club of Wichita celebrated their successful $8 million campaign with a groundbreaking ceremony in March. Russ Meyer, former head of Cessna Aircraft (Wichita), chaired the campaign to build a mentoring and education complex near Wichita State University. The goal is to guide children away from poverty, drugs, crime and teen pregnancy. Over 11,000 children live within walking distance of the new facility's site. - The Wichita Eagle
• Colby Community College Endowment Foundation (Colby, Kan.) received a $250,000 gift from the Pete Henry Foundation for the $5 million capital campaign, "Colby @ 50." The campaign seeks funding to construct a campus fitness/wellness center, establish new endowment and grow annual funding. This gift, along with other recently received gifts, brings the campaign total to $1.3 million. Congratulations to the staff and volunteer leadership of Colby Community College and the Endowment Foundation. - Jerry Clevenger, CFRE, Vice President (Sarasota, Fla.)
• St. Paul's Episcopal Day School's (Kansas City, Mo.) capital campaign has posted significant progress in recent weeks. Gifts and pledges to the campaign, which seeks a total of $12 million for capital and endowment, stand at $391,000 and include the following recent commitments: $75,000 from Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.); $10,000 from DST Systems, Inc. (Kansas City); and $5,000 from the estate of Mary Tucker (Kansas City, Mo.), one of the school's original founders. In addition, the campaign is proud to have attracted the leadership commitments of Tom and Jill McGee who have agreed to serve as Co-Chairs. Congratulations to the McGees, Head of School Liz Barnes and Director of Development Mary Kirkpatrick on the campaign's strong success. - Matt Beem
• The Meadows Foundation (Dallas) has pledged $33 million to the Algur H. Meadows School of the Arts and its Meadows Museum at Southern Methodist University (Dallas). The gift includes $25 million to support the goals and programs of the Meadows Museum. Within the $25 million is a $5 million challenge grant to match dollar-for-dollar new gifts for acquisition of additional works of art for their collection of Spanish art, the largest collection outside of Spain. The $33 million also includes $8 million for the Meadows School of the Arts for faculty support, student recruitment and enrichment and facility maintenance. This historic gift represents the largest single grant ever made by the Meadows Foundation and the largest single financial gift ever received by SMU. - SMU News
• Faith Mission (Elkhart, Ind.) continues to show impressive progress. Gifts and pledges in this five-month-old campaign exceed $1.4 million on a goal of $4.9 million to expand facilities and capacity. Congratulations to Campaign Chair Terry McKay and his cabinet members, Faith Mission Executive Director Tobe Swihart and Director of Development Mike Perez. - Ron Fredman, APR, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
• Kansas State University Foundation's (Manhattan) "Changing Lives" $500 million comprehensive campaign to infuse new funds into virtually every dimension of the university has received the following gifts: Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek (Wichita) have committed $675,000 to establish the Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek Chair for Genetic Studies of Fungal Plant Pathogens; Robert H. Smith (Overland Park, Kan.) committed $40,000 to establish the Robert H. Smith Chemical Engineering Excellence Fund; a $30,500 gift from the estate of G. Alden Krider (Manhattan, Kan.) to establish the Alden Krider Cancer Research Fund; and $30,000 from Mary Susan Vaught, Margaret Page Saunders and Rebecca Page in honor of their parents to establish the Leroy E. and Mary Sullivan Page Fund for Graduate Students in History. Salina Vortex Corporation (Salina, Kan.) made an in-kind gift of Vortex valves valued at $85,000 for the Hal Ross Mill in K-State's Grain Science and Industry Complex. The estate of Mary Jarvis (Omaha, Neb.) also has made a gift of $4,313,401 for the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. Jarvis previously established two faculty chairs at K-State: the Jarvis Chair of Landscape Architecture in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, and the Morgan K. "Al" Jarvis Chair in Veterinary Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Jarvis' cumulative gifts to K-State stand at more than $6.8 million. - Robert F. Hartsook, JD, EdD, Chairman and CEO (Wrightsville Beach, N.C.)
• The New Community Center for Claremont, Inc., a newly formed nonprofit to raise funds for a community center in Claremont, N.H., has received its 501(c)(3) designation from the IRS. The organization is charged with raising $3 million, part of a public-private partnership that collectively seeks to raise $7 million. Congratulations to Campaign Chair Jim Feleen, Honorary Chair Candy Crawford, Director of Claremont Parks and Recreation Scott Hausler and their entire team. - Ron Fredman
• Marillac Center for Children welcomes Rachel Larsen to the position of Special Events and Volunteer Services Manager. Rachel was Director of Development for Cedar Rapids Symphony (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) prior to coming to Marillac and has been in development for three years.
• Kim Gattle has been named Director of Development and Communications for the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University (Indianapolis, Ind.). Gattle is the first alumna of the Center's Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies degree program to head its development efforts. She is a member of that program's inaugural graduating class and a graduate of The Fund Raising School at the Center. From 2002 until 2005, she was a member of the Center's Board of Governors. Before joining the Center, Gattle was Executive Associate Director of Major and Planned Gifts for the Indiana University School of Medicine.
• Camp Fire USA (Kansas City, Mo.) National President and CEO Stewart Smith announced that after 23 years of exemplary service with Camp Fire, he will step down on May 31, 2006. Upon Smith's departure, the office of National President and CEO will be filled by Jill Pasewalk, a 17-year veteran of the Camp Fire USA system - her last four years of service with National Headquarters. To assure a smooth transition, Pasewalk will have the advantage of Smith's counsel and support as Senior Advisor through September.
• DST Systems, Inc.'s (Kansas City) CEO Thomas McDonnell has been elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.). McDonnell has been a trustee since 2003. Established in the mid-60s by the late entrepreneur and philanthropist Ewing Marion Kauffman, the foundation is a private organization that works with business partners to advance entrepreneurship and improve the math and science education of schoolchildren.
• Bernie Marcus (Atlanta, Ga.), noted philanthropist and businessman, received Georgia's most prestigious honor, the 2006 Shining Light Award from Atlanta Gas Light and News/Talk 750 WSB. Marcus is known as a philanthropist for founding the Marcus Institute to help children suffering from catastrophic illnesses and his $250 million "gift to Atlanta" in the form of the Georgia Aquarium - the largest aquarium in the world. As a businessman he co-founded The Home Depot, an Atlanta-based home improvement chain, with Arthur Blank.
• The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation has surpassed a billion dollars in total assets and ranks sixth in total assets out of 635 community foundations nationwide. Topping the list is the New York Community Trust, Cleveland Foundation, Tulsa Community Foundation, and Marin County (Calif.) Foundation. The Greater Kansas City Community Foundation ranks among the top 10 nationally in terms of total assets, gifts received and grants distributed.
• Lori Jones Bramlett has joined the CareLink (North Little Rock, Ark.) staff as Development Officer. Lori recently earned a masters degree in public administration with emphasis in nonprofit management. Her background includes special events and annual giving. She recently served as Director of Special Projects for the CARTI Foundation (Little Rock, Ark.).
"Building Hope" is one in a series of success stories from the ASR Philanthropic Publishing Reference Collection. This four-page, full-color presentation highlights the successful completion of the $3.5 million capital campaign of YWCA Cass Clay (Fargo, N.D.). Through highs and lows, the dedicated volunteers, Board and leadership of YWCA Cass Clay persevered in raising funds to construct a new emergency shelter for women and children. This endeavor taught them the importance of sharing their story, building relationships and never accepting 'no' as the final answer to a solicitation.
If you would like a free copy (or a list of all Success Stories from the ASR Reference Collection), contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.
"Take a best practice/success from the past, add variable twists, refine and reintroduce. Success builds success." - John Velde, Pearl & Associates (Peoria, Ill.)
If you are interested in Best Practices, check out these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:
• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing). The book features great ideas, insights and lessons learned through hundreds of best practices from nonprofit professionals nationwide. To order the book, follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com
• "Best Practices Coast to CoastSM," a compilation of best practices from every state in the union
• "Another Two Dozen Best PracticesSM," a special edition featuring suggestions from 24 Hartsook Companies consultants
• "Hartsook Best Practices CollectionSM," our original collection of 250 best practices and great ideas
For a free copy of any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com
Each year the consultants and staff of Hartsook Companies nominate peers for internal Hartsook Awards. The following were recently honored as 2005 Hartsook Awards recipients:
• 2005 Outstanding Fundraising Consultant - Norma Murphy, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
• 2005 Outstanding Fundraising Manager - Susan Schneweis, Executive Vice President (Kansas City)
• 2005 Client Service Center Employee of the Year - Annette Lough, Vice President of Client Services (Wichita)
(Note: Annette was honored with this award for the second year in a row.)
• 2005 New Business Development Leader - Ron Fredman, APR, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
• 2005 Leader in Professional Development - Ron Fredman, APR, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
Congratulations to each of these outstanding professionals for their exceptional performance and constant commitment to Hartsook Companies and the success of our clients.
Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. Visit the Speakers page of our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com to read more or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com.
• Jerry Clevenger presented "Cultivation: The Foundation to Campaign Success" to the Rural Community Development Council on March 15 in Colby, Kan.
• Ron Fredman will present "The Case for the Case for Support" during the AFP International Conference on Philanthropy in Atlanta on April 2. On April 4, he will present "Friendraising and Fundraising for Capital Projects" during the New England Park & Recreation Training Institute in Newport, R.I. On April 20, Ron will present "In Control. Out of Crisis." and "Building a Powerful Brand" to the Arkansas Chapter of AFP in Little Rock.
• Emily Aldrich Barbour, Senior Vice President (Raleigh), will present "Building a Powerful Brand" on April 24 during the United Way Florida Statewide Conference in Orlando. On May 9, Emily will present the same topic to a consortium of nonprofits in Knoxville, Tenn.
• Norma Murphy, Senior Vice President (Kansas City), will present "Grantsmanship: The Groundwork and Stewardship" on April 25 and "Transformational Gifts: Who Gives Them and Who Gets Them" on April 26 during the United Way Florida Statewide Conference in Orlando.
• Matt Beem will deliver the keynote address, "The Next Generation Campaign," during a conference of nonprofit organizations from western Louisiana on April 25 in Shreveport. Matt will also present "Entrepreneurs as Philanthropists" on May 16 in Wichita during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference.
• Bob Hartsook will present "New Trends in Effective Fundraising" during the Central Region Food Bank Training Day in Kansas City on April 27.
• Terry Kyle will present "Balancing Current Gifts with Planned Gifts" during the Texas Baptist Development Officers Association Conference on May 1 in Arlington, Texas.
• Robert Swanson will present two sessions on May 15 during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference in Wichita: "How to Get Million Dollar Gifts and Have Donors Thank You" and "Fundraising in a Rural Environment."
• Vern Henricks will present two sessions on May 16 during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference in Wichita: "Maximize Your Annual Fund - Ideas from A to Z" and "Would You Please Consider a Gift…Board Members Making the Ask."
So far in 2006, Hartsook Companies is serving 110 contracts on behalf of clients in 68 cities in 18 states and the nations of Lithuania and Kenya with Campaign Assessments, Development Operation Reviews and ongoing campaigns. Recent new clients and contract extensions are listed below representing 23 organizations in 18 cities in 10 states and the nation of Kenya.
• American Red Cross Catawba Valley Chapter (Hickory, N.C.)e-Hartsook on Philanthropy covers news of client successes and advancements in philanthropy, connecting with more than 10,000 persons monthly. We welcome your contributions. Please send brief news of success or good ideas you'd like to share to Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com, by the first of each month.
If you'd like a free subscription to e-Hartsook on Philanthropy - or its companion publication, the free, bi-weekly Strategies for Success - visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/subscribe.shtml or contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.
Visit our web site: http://www.hartsookcompanies.com.
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