April eNewsletter - Please RSVP for the April Luncheon!
THE
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
Not Just Another Fundraising Letter
I don’t know about the rest of you, but this is the time of year when, typically, things seem to slow down just a tiny bit on the fundraising front. At the YMCA, our development staff has just wrapped up a successful annual campaign, and the annual golf tournament is still several months away. We usually take this time to focus on donor stewardship, major gift prospecting, development planning, endowment building, program grant writing and other things that are less energy intensive, but take a bit more time and attention.
After more than 15 years in this profession, I’ve been a part of this swing for a long time. Throughout that time, I’ve probably written hundreds, maybe even thousands of fundraising appeals, cases for support and such. So you would think by now I’m a pro and could do it in my sleep, right?
Wrong! I can write fundraising appeals to your typical donors about the Y fairly easily, but right now I find myself writing a fundraising appeal to FUNDRAISERS about their own fundraising association from me, the president of said fundraising association. Talk about your pressure to be good!
Don’t expect magical things to happen, but here goes….
I am a fan of AFP!
I hear you all saying under your breath right now, “Well, duh!” But, not necessarily would it be a duh moment. Some people get involved with professional organizations for different reasons: networking, career advancement, resource availability, resume fodder, etc. Hey, I joined AFP for all those reasons, but I’m leading this chapter, I’m involved at this level, and I’m taking the time it takes to write these monthly articles because I BELIEVE IN AFP!
I believe that it’s important to build the image of our profession in our community and throughout our state, nation and world. I believe that it’s important to share the story of the importance of philanthropy with our community and political leaders and to have a network to be able to do so. And, I believe that it’s important to encourage ethical and professional fundraising throughout our nonprofit world in order to prove our integrity to those who support our organizations. The Association of Fundraising Professionals helps with all these things.
For all these reasons and for so many more, I am a donor to the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy. And, each year, your AFP Oklahoma Board gives to the Every Member Campaign at the same level that we all expect our own organizations’ boards to give -- 100% of us make a charitable donation to this campaign so that we can set a powerful example for our members. I hope it does so.
Last year we had the most successful Every Member Campaign in our chapter’s recent history (could be entire history, but records don’t go back that far). The result is that your local chapter will have more resources to support our members through educational and networking opportunities. We’ll be able to provide more scholarships to those who wish to attend our National Philanthropy Day Conference. We’ll be better able to recognize significant philanthropy right here in Central Oklahoma. In addition, we’re making a difference on the national front, too. Our donations are helping AFP reach our national leaders with the message that philanthropy is good and an important part of having a strong nation. They can encourage those who make our laws to consider the role non-governmental organizations make in shaping and changing our world. WOW! That’s pretty cool, huh?
So, please, as you begin to hear about this year’s Every Member Campaign, either from one of us on the AFP Board (Johnna Walker of the Chickasaw Foundation is leading the charge) or from a phone call you might receive to ask for your support, consider the power of your donation and consider that your support for AFP is ultimately helping you. It won’t help just you, though. It will help all of us who have chosen this crazy fundraising gig for our life’s work.
That brings me to phase II of this appeal:
Like so many of you who have designated funds at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, the AFP Oklahoma Chapter has been given a tremendous opportunity from the Kirkpatrick Family Fund. In honor of Mr. Kirkpatrick’s 100th birthday, we can receive a matching gift up to $5,000 from the Family Fund to our agency fund held there.
I’m honored to say that I’m the first AFP member to make a gift toward meeting the requirements of this match, and I’m hoping you will join me. Though our endowment fund at the Community Foundation isn’t large by some standards, it does provide us with significant funds for our programs and projects each year that we can count on, no matter what. We’re doing so much with the small amount we have coming to us now. Imagine what we could do if we increased our fund by $10,000!
Join me, please, in securing the future of AFP-Oklahoma so that future generations of professional fundraisers can benefit from the mentoring, networking and educational opportunities that AFP provides.
You can make your gift directly to the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, PO Box 1146, Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1146. Or you can make a gift online at www.occf.org. Be sure to designate your gift to the AFP Oklahoma Chapter fund.
OK, so that’s it. Like I said, it’s not magical. However, I hope that my sincerity and passion for AFP are evident whenever I write or speak about it. Sincerity and passion, after all, are what truly make a good fundraising appeal.
Sally Ray
APRIL LUNCHEON - Please RSVP!
The cost for the luncheon is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. You will pay at the luncheon. Please RSVP by Monday, March 31st to Martha Stone at afpoklahoma@gmail.com.
As a CFRE Subject Matter Expert, Linda Hauser, CFRE, will provide her unique insight into the CFRE credentialing process and discuss the benefits and requirements of becoming a Certified Fund Raising Executive.
Currently a fundraising consultant, Linda works with nonprofit organizations to develop systematic grant writing programs and create successful board and donor development programs. In addition, she conducts needs assessments and creates effective strategic plans for her clients. She also conducts research and writes grants and proposals for government, foundation, corporate and individual funding for capital and annual campaigns. She has a 94 % success rate and has raised more than $3.5 million to date for her clients which include Associated Centers for Therapy, Volunteers of America Oklahoma, Big Brothers and Sisters of Oklahoma, Citizen CPR, St. Francis Children’s Hospital Foundation and Operation Aware.
Previously, Linda served as the Manager of Development for the Parent Child Center of Tulsa, Director of Financial Development for the Tulsa Area Chapter of the American Red Cross, and Development Director of the Tulsa Boys’ Home.
Linda is a graduate of the University of Missouri and received her MBA from Oklahoma State University.
AFP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT…Crystal Slater
Position & Organization - Director of Fund Development/Major Gifts - Girl Scouts - Western Oklahoma, Inc.
Years in Fundraising - 3 years
Best fundraising tip received - Fundraising is about people not transactions.
Most useful fundraising resource - People. Whether they are co-workers, fund development associates, volunteers, donors, family or friends. I am constantly in awe of the sense of community among fund development professionals.
Why I love non-profit work - Everyday is a new challenge. I enjoy the fulfillment that working in non-profit gives me. I have had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the most inspiring people in Oklahoma who care about our future.
Favorite quote - In every community there is work to be done. In every nation there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it. - Marianne Williamson
Hobbies - Well...before 3 kids I liked to read, play soccer and basketball, watch my husband race cars and loved to ride our horses. Now I run a taxi service...but when we have free time we spend it at the lake swimming, skiing, fishing and trying to teach my husband how to swim.
Family - I live in Deer Creek with my husband, Stevie and our three children: Sierra (9 yrs. Old), Caleb (5 yrs. Old) and Madison (3 yrs. Old). They are my greatest accomplishment and amaze me with their talent, knowledge and spirit every day.
Although the event is eight months away, planning has already begun for the 2008 National Philanthropy Day (NPD). This year’s Co-Chairs are Jennifer Harrison, Director of Development, Institutional Advancement, Oklahoma City Community College, and Stacey Weddington, Development Director, Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum. The committee held its first planning meeting in February to discuss exciting ways to build upon the success of previous NPD events. If you would like to serve on an NPD committee, please contact Jennifer at jharrison@occc.edu or Stacey at sw@oklahomacitynationalmemorial.org.
GIVING BACK
It’s not too late to order your copy of Giving Back – A Century of Philanthropy in Oklahoma. Written by Oklahoma historian Bob Burke, the book features interesting stories about those philanthropists who have supported Oklahoma cultural, historical, educational, health and human service charities for the last 100 years. Giving Back is scheduled for release this spring. Please visit the AFP Oklahoma website for details.
Job Opportunities
If you’re looking for a new challenge in the development arena, visit the AFP Oklahoma website at www.afpoklahoma.org/JobOpportunities.asp for a list of exciting opportunities and information on how to apply. Below you will find just a few of the development-related positions currently available.
Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma
Special Events Coordinator
Responsibilities include: planning and executing three large events annually, including food drives; managing committees; creating and selling sponsorships; coordinating Youth Leadership Board; coordinating event volunteers; and speaking to various civic/corporate groups.
Oklahoma Humanities Council
Accountant
Principal responsibilities include daily bookkeeping, payroll, benefits management for staff of seven, federal funds reporting and 990 preparation. QuickBooks knowledge required. CPA preferred.
Heartline
Development Director
Contributes to fundraising for the agency, including preparation and distribution of reports, creation of appeals, writing grant requests and following-up with donors and potential donors. Also works with a committee in coordination of the annual special event Festival of Hope. Bachelor's degree required, experience preferred. Job sharing option a possibility.
e-mail: afpoklahoma@gmail.com web: www.afpoklahoma.org PO Box 217 Oklahoma City, OK 73101 To stop receiving the AFP-Oklahoma eNewsletter, please reply to afpoklahoma@gmail.com.