We're In This Together

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Association of Fundraising Professionals conference in Dallas. Actually I was just there for one day, heard the opening session and toured the exhibit hall. But it was enough to make a big impression. I’ll definitely be going next year.

One of the amazing people that I met was Janet Ginn. She is the President of Heifer Foundation, the endowment and planned giving arm of Heifer International.

While many companies were at the exhibit all — it took all day to visit all the booths — Janet was there simply to publicize Heifer and give away copies of her book Circle of Giving: Donors’ Stories of Wisdom. Actually, when someone asked why they were exhibiting, she said, “I’m just here to encourage you, to know that we’re all in this together.”

More Photos from AFP

Holidays & Fundraising Don’t Always Mix

Last month I wrote a book review & case study about raising funds with a houseparty. One of the pitfalls that some organizers can fall into is trying to combine purposes, such as combining an open house with a fundraiser party. Now at year-end, some well-meaning hostesses are combining holiday parties with requests for donations to charity. [Read more...]

The Face of Fundraising

The defining experince that led me to a vocation in fundraising for non profit organizations was participating in the Team in Training program for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in 2001. As a member of the team, I trained to finish a marathon and did fundraising on behalf of the Society.

I knew before I joined, just from talking with people and hearing their stories, that this was an awesome organization. It has done so much to help people with leukemia and help find a cure. But I really became a true believer in the cause at our kickoff meeting. [Read more...]