Putting our fundraising cards on the table: A conversation with funders and practitioners on equity-centered philanthropy

Monday, May 2, 2022 | AFP ICON Conference | Las Vegas | 9am-10:15am

COVID-19 and the national dialog on social injustice have revealed deep gaps in health care, economic opportunity, quality of education, and access to justice for communities of color. Fundraisers are tasked to increase the capacity of their organization to bridge these gaps, in partnership with major donors, public and private foundations, and the corporate sector. This session will use Las Vegas, ICON’s host city, as an example in how philanthropy can be part of a community’s response to expanding inclusion, diversity, equity, and access.

Alford Group is proud to sponsor the ICON2022 IDEA workshop.

The Challenges Serving the Homelessness – From a Fundraising Point of View (The Giving Institute)

March 10 | Scottsdale, AZ | The Giving Institute Board Meeting

This panel included CEOs and CDOs of the region’s 3-5 leading homelessness serving organizations, funders, and government agencies. Participants reflected on the specific challenges and opportunities of serving the homeless from a fundraising point of view. We explored the complexity of today’s issues, including homelessness, housing insecurity, food insecurity, substance use disorder, domestic violence and trafficking, mental health, wealth inequality / distribution, racial and cultural inequality, social justice, COVID and more. We discussed how to build the case for support for a problem that cannot be solved by philanthropy alone, how to report impact when the long-term results are not known, and how to build the case for support for a problem that has no resolution (or at least one that has been achieved thus far).

Moderated by: Sharon Tiknis, Chief Client Experience Officer, Alford Group

Panelists:

  • Carla Vargas Jasa, President and CEO of Valley of the Sun United Way
  • Jacki Taylor, President and CEO of Save the Family Foundation of Arizona
  • Dede Divine, CEO of Native American Connections
  • Amy Schwabenlender, CEO of the Human Services Campus

 

AFP Webinar: Diversity in Philanthropy

July 24, 2019 | 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time | Online

The Future of Philanthropy and Why Diversity Matters


The IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released a new report called Women Give 2019: Gender and Giving Across Communities of Color. This report examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households and, in particular, explores the intersection of race, gender and giving. In 2019, Alford Group celebrates its 20th consecutive year as AFP’s diversity sponsor and partner. On this webinar, we spoke to the new report and contexted it with our history and first-hand knowledge/experience on this topic.

Moderator:

  • Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO, Alford Group

Panelists:

  • Lilliane Ballesteros, Interim Executive Director, Latino Community Fund
  • Janelle Choi, Program Officer, Marguerite Casey Foundation
  • Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Founder & Principal, Phila Engaged Giving

As Good as It Gives: America’s Philanthropy Today

Giving USA 2019 presentation and a celebration of Alford Group’s 40 years of impact

We loved co-hosting this event with William Blair, a wonderful celebration of Alford Group’s 40 years of impact.

Bringing together philanthropists and experts from all sectors, we presented the latest insights and trends around philanthropy in America based on the data in the newly released Giving USA 2019 report. We then heard from our expert panel on how to differentiate your organization and best articulate your philanthropic value proposition, followed by a robust Q&A session with the audience. We ended the day with a happy hour celebration of Alford Group’s 40th anniversary.

Key Speakers:

  • Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO of Alford Group will moderate the event
  • Jamie Phillippe, CFRE, Vice President and Sharon Tiknis, Executive Vice President of Alford Group will share perspectives on what is behind and beyond the Giving USA 2019 report findings
  • Laura Coy, Director of Philanthropy Strategy and Community Engagement with William Blair will moderate the panel

Panelists:

  • Daniel O. Ash, Associate Vice President, Community Impact, The Chicago Community Trust
  • Cate A. Fox, Senior Program Officer, MacArthur Foundation
  • Jill Zimmerman, Vice President of Development, Greater Chicago Food Depository

AFP Chicago Education Breakfast

June 14 | Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
Chicago, IL

We loved sponsoring this year’s AFP Chicago Education Breakfast!


Professional education and networking go hand-in-hand at AFP Chicago’s breakfast workshop series.  Several times per year, AFP Chicago brings together thought-leaders who share their expertise and insights on some of the most pressing issues facing fundraising professionals today.

The topic for June’s Breakfast Workshop is the Ethics and Economics of Diversity.

LeadingAge Washington 2019 Conference

June 9-12 | Semiahmoo Resort
Blaine, WA

Karen Rotko-Wynn, CFRE, Executive Vice President and West Division Manager had a blast as a guest speaker at this year’s conference.


What if we were more passionate?
What if we embraced new Ideas without any reservations?
What if we freely considered different perspectives?
What if we empowered our teams to take more strategic risks?
What if we could achieve more with new partners?
What if we had the confidence to step outside the box, out of our lane and beyond our comfort zone?
What if we dreamed without limits?
What if we focused on our missions instead of our tasks?
What if we helped people find passion and purpose?
What if we made life better for older people, our staffs, our communities, and our STATE?

AFP Advancement Northwest Forum on Strategic Fundraising 2019

June 6-7, 2019 | Meydenbauer Convention Center | Bellevue, WA

 

Question of the Day! Alford Group Booth

Each day of the conference, we posed a key question to the audience at our booth. Meant to get your gears turning, there was no right or wrong answer. Fundraising leaders from around the region stopped by to cast their vote for: “Restricted or Unrestricted?” and “Stories or stats?” At the end of the conference, we tallied the votes, compiled all of your comments, and are sharing it here with you!

Download: Question of the Day Results

 


The Future of Philanthropy: The Intersection of race, gender and giving

Thursday, June 6, 2019 | 11:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

The demographics of our nation are becoming more and more diverse. As a sector, we must crack the code to diversifying the philanthropic donor base. The IUPUI Lilly Family School of Philanthropy released a new report called Women Give 2019: Gender and Giving Across Communities of Color. This study examines the giving patterns, priorities, and attitudes of America’s wealthiest households and, in particular, explores the intersection of race, gender and giving. Brenda B. Asare  walked us through the latest findings from the report and our expert panelists discussed what it means for the future of philanthropy.

Moderator:

  • Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO, Alford Group

Panelists:

  • Lilliane Ballesteros, Interim Executive Director, Latino Community Fund
  • Janelle Choi, Program Officer, Marguerite Casey Foundation
  • Stephanie Ellis-Smith, Founder & Principal, Phila Engaged Giving

Download the presentation slides: WomenGive2019AFPNorthwest_Final


Alford Group is Inducted into the AFP President’s Circle

Alford Group was inducted into the AFP Advancement Northwest President’s Circle at this year’s conference. We are so proud to have supported the chapter every year since 2006 (13 years) and look forward to continuing to work together in the future!

 

Watch Karen Rotko-Wynn’s acceptance speech

AdNet 2019 Conference

New Orleans, LA | April 7-10, 2019

We had a blast sponsoring this year’s AdNet conference in New Orleans! Download our session’s slides below.

New Megadonor Archetypes – A study of the donors from the Giving Pledge

Presenters:

  • Jamie Phillippe, CFRE, Vice President, Alford Group
  • Sharon Tiknis, Executive Vice President, Alford Group

High net worth individuals are growing in number and are increasingly in the public eye. Some are inclined to give, and their support can make a transformational difference. But how do they approach these decisions? And what might all donors see in the examples set by these high-profile, high-impact donors? New research by Lipman Hearne analyzes the first-person statements of 150+ billionaire households taking part in the Giving Pledge since 2010. We’ll share the key take-aways, including profiles of five new Megadonor Archetypes, and discuss the implications of this research and what it means for growing philanthropy.

Download Slides: Megadonor Archetypes – Alford Group

Global Board Leaders’ Summit

Alford Group was proud to present at this year’s conference!

Global Board Leaders’ Summit | National Association of Corporate Directors

September 29, 2018 – October 2, 2018 | Marriot Marquis, Washington D.C.


The Future of Nonprofit Governance

Monday, October 1, 2018 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Nonprofit boards face an increasingly challenging environment. Shifts in social demographics, changes in the economy, and disruptive technological innovations will continue to alter how nonprofit organizations work and thrive. At the same time, nonprofit boards are experiencing higher expectations of their governance, transparency, and long-term strategy than ever before. Join experienced nonprofit leaders and directors as they explore what’s on the horizon for nonprofit board leadership. You’ll learn how to safeguard your organization while maximizing its potential in a new era of nonprofit governance.

Speakers:

  • Drumm McNaughton, CEO of The Change Leader, Inc. (moderator)
  • Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO of Alford Group
  • Kari Stoever, Chief External Relations Officer of Leiber Institute for Brain Development
  • Wendi Wasik, President of Wasik Consulting LLC
  • Gerry Czarnecki, CEO of The Deltennium Group