Technology and Marketing Course Welcomes Top Professionals

(AFPTeaches Instructor, Merritt Engel shares her thoughts as the semester wraps up)

Confession. Teaching a course with the word “Trends” in the title is intimidating. It’s an ever-changing fundraising landscape … what works one month can be passé the next … a great new technology emerges only to fade into oblivion. So I opted to go a bit untraditional: less emphasis on textbooks and theoretical lectures and greater focus on the best practices that are working right now (without overlooking strategies that will always endure).

To that end, this semester, we’ve welcomed some of the most cutting-edge marketers and fundraising this city has to offer:

Libby Knox, President, Knox Creative—A nonprofit web guru and content expert, Libby shared terrific examples of her work with Special Olympics and other usability tips.

Jessica Best, Marketing Director, emfluence—Kansas City’s go-to gal of email marketing, Jessica told our group how to send emails ethically, legally and effectively (United Way is among her key clients).

Monica Tiffany, Principal/Creative Director, Merrigan & Co.—A nonprofit copywriting expert who has written for organizations like Komen and Shriners Hospitals for Children, Monica explained her career path and how technology and message are perfect partners.

Chris Lakin, Social Media Advisor, Mailprint—Chris gave us the 411 on the increasingly sophisticated techniques in variable data printing—and how those new technologies are being used to help nonprofits better communicate with their constituents.

Annie Noll, Social Media Specialist, Ottawa University—How do you build a great nonprofit community and how do you grow it? Annie told us how to go viral, what missteps to avoid and offered great video examples.

Angie Olson, Web Content Manager, Unity— Angie manages the flow of information for an international faith-based organization. She gave us the behind-the-scenes view of balancing competing demands and a diverse constituent base.

Angela Ridpath, Experience Planning Director, Bernstein-Rein Advertising—A founding member of the national DMA’s Mobile Marketing Council, Angela gave us insights into the emerging world of mobile marketing.

Looking ahead, we’ll hear from:
Bob Merrigan, President, Merrigan & Co., and Angie Heer, Director of Development, Harvesters—They’ll present a great case study on integration.

Dawn Brelsford, Chief Strategy Officer, Brickmill Marketing (Baltimore, Maryland)—She’ll describe why data drives the best decisions for nonprofits.

A big thank you to all our speakers. I’ve learned a lot, as have the students!
Follow our class on Twitter, hashtag: #afpteaches.

Major Gifts & Capital Campaigns Course Wrap Up

From Steve Byers, Instructor

At the outset, I told the students that this wasn’t merely a class on major gifts, this was a class about life. The skills that make someone a successful major gift fundraiser are skills that make people successful no matter what they do for a living.

Being a good listener, for example, doesn’t just apply to meeting with prospective donors. Being a good listener is beneficial in developing any meaningful relationship, whether it is romantic, platonic or collegial. Persuasive speaking and writing, which are fundamental to major gift fundraising, are helpful in just about every other endeavor you could undertake as well. And understanding what motivates people will not only help you obtain major gifts, it will give you important insights in virtually every aspect of your life.

I don’t know how many of the students will go on to become professional major gift fundraisers. But I am confident that learning and practicing the skills that are covered in this class will have value for them wherever their career paths lead.

Here's what student, Janice Taylor had to share about Steve's class ...

"Instead of just lecturing about elements involved in asking for a major gift, we were able to demonstrate it. We not only used our writing skills in designing a case statement and understanding our prospects, but we actually practiced making the personal ask. This exercise was very beneficial. Videotaping it and learning with practice was just what I needed to give me confidence that I can do this."

Fundraising Concentration Becomes Certificate Program

A proposal to create a Fundraising Leadership Certificate program was approved by the undergraduate curriculum committee at Rockhurst. This means that students who take the fundraising concentration courses will now receive an actual certificate, granted by Rockhurst University, and they are eligible for financial aid as certificate-seeking students.

The certificate requirements mirror the concentration requirements, and students from any major (not just nonprofit leadership) and/or from the community may earn this certificate.

Our banner ads on selected websites in the nonprofit community have led to inquiries from prospective students, so we are gaining visibility!

As a recap, required courses for the Fundraising Leadership Certificate and/or the Fundraising Concentration within the Nonprofit Leadership Studies major total 18 credit hours and include:

NP 1110 – Intro to NPOs
NP 3050 – Foundations of Fundraising & Development
FD 4000 – Developing Annual Sustainability
FD 4100 – Major Gifts & Capital Campaigns
FD 4200 – Technology & Marketing Trends in Fundraising
FD 4300 – Prospect Research & Proposal Writing

On a related note, the committee also approved the creation of a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate program utilizing our existing NP/American Humanics courses. Because the University will award this certificate, students who pursue this program also will be eligible for financial aid.

Thank you for all your hard work!
Jenny

AFP's Diane Marty Named Rockhurst Adjunct of the Year

Diane's energy and passion for fundraising is being recognized by Rockhurst. She's the first adjunct to receive this prestigious award! Find out more about her work and the award here.

…And we’re off!

Greetings! I’m Jenny Rinella, Director of the Nonprofit Leadership Studies and American Humanics program at Rockhurst, where the AFP Teaches Fundraising Concentration is housed. Fall classes have begun and are kicking into high gear, as we welcome 30 students to the new fundraising concentration! I am thrilled about our new faculty, courses, and the quality of teaching and learning in this collaborative program.

Just a few tidbits since we announced the program start:

• Our very own Diane Marty, co-chair of the AFPTeaches curriculum development committee, was selected as the Rockhurst Graduate and Professional Studies Adjunct Faculty of the Year for 2009-10! The GPS Dean, Dr. Jeffrey Breese, presented this award to Diane at the all-faculty assembly last week.

• I recently enjoyed an opportunity to present our progress at the National American Humanics Professional Development Meeting, in successful conclusion of the 2009-10 Cohen Research Grant project, “Raising the Bar on Fundraising Education”

• Rockhurst has been invited to present on the RU/AFP partnership at the 2011 Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools conference in Milwaukee, “Creating Strategic Partnerships and Alliances to Advance Graduate Education”

I look forward to sharing more good news with you as the academic year progresses.

More Buzz as the School Year Approaches

Catch up with the latest on the AFP Mid-America Chapter and Rockhurst University's partnership: the offering of a new fundraising concentration within the Nonprofit Leadership Studies major. Did you know Kansas City is home to 7,500 registered nonprofit organizations that generate more than $9.5 billion and employ about 10 percent of our city's workforce? Read more here.

AFPTeaches in YIP E-Newsletter

Mid-America Chapter's Youth in Philanthropy chairman, Karma Vowell discusses how AFPTeaches will bridge the gap between fundraising professionals and students. Exciting coverage of our flagship effort! Read the interview here. Thanks, Karma!