Become a CSR Champion

Posted on by LuCinda Vacura

April 11, 2018 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Participants in this session deepened their expertise in corporate social responsibility (CSR). The Baumhart Center together with Loyola’s Executive Education offered an immersive introduction to CSR strategy and to the latest innovations in the CSR field. Alford Group’s corporate partnership strategy expert Diane Knoepke was a panelist at this event.

The session objectives were to:

  • Learn how to co-create enduring value for your business and society
  • Examine Chicagoland case studies for insights on how to design high-impact CSR strategies
  • Gain tips from an expert roundtable on how to develop, measure, and manage CSR strategies

email Diane Knoepke, Vice President, Alford Group to meet about CSR and other corporate impact topics.

AFP Greater Arizona Chapter Presentation

Posted on by LuCinda Vacura

March 6, 2018

Not the Culture of Philanthropy you need? You can change it!

Presenter: Mary Kaufman-Cranney, CFRE, Vice President, Alford Group

Workshop Description:

A culture of philanthropy is essential in any organization to most effectively raise funds but what does that mean and more challenging is, how do you intentionally create such a culture? Mary Kaufman-Cranney, CFRE, will share her journey in taking an organization through a process to create a common language and implement a curriculum to create a measurable difference. She will engage the audience to measure their own organization’s culture and discuss key components and the ideas to make them real so that everyone in your organization appreciates donors as partners who share our goals and participate in achieving them. Participants will leave with a tool to measure philanthropic culture and ideas on how to effect change.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Understanding the why and what of the philanthropic culture
  • Measurable assessment of the philanthropic culture and how you can impact it.
  • Clear expectations of the roles of the board, CEO and CDO in a functioning philanthropic culture.

Take Aways:

  • Knowledge of the difference between fundraising as a function and a culture of philanthropy
  • A measurement tool to use in your organization
  • Practical tips on how to impact your organization’s culture

Meet & Greet: 7:30am – 8:00am
Luncheon/Presentations: 8:00am – 9:30am

Cost: AFP members $30 and non-members $45

Register here

Straight Talk: Unpacking the Power Dynamic between Grantseekers and Grantmakers

Posted on by LuCinda Vacura

Chicago Women in Philanthropy presented:

Straight Talk: Unpacking the Power Dynamic between Grantseekers and Grantmakers

Friday, January 26, 2018
Woman’s Athletic Club, Chicago, IL
8:30 AM – 10:30AM

The goal of this event was to foster an open, honest dialogue between grantmakers and grantseekers. By bringing both sides together, we aimed to create an environment where attendees can discuss ways to improve communication, reframe potential conflicts into constructive conversations, and essentially unpack the power dynamic that can impede productivity on both sides of “the ask.” The event began with a moderated panel discussion of both seasoned fundraisers and local Chicago grantors. As with all CWIP events, this was an opportunity for both networking and professional development. The moderator was  Diane Knoepke, Vice President with The Alford Group.

Luncheon Workshop: Major Gifts and Strategic Fundraising

Posted on by LuCinda Vacura

AFP Silicon Valley Chapter presented:

Leadership Triangle: Major Gifts and Strategic Fundraising

Luncheon + Workshop

Tuesday, January 16, 2018
11:30 AM – 3:45 PM

The most successful major gifts programs have strong volunteer leadership and engagement. Discover how you can strengthen your major gifts effort by engaging your board. Our speaker is Mary Kaufman-Cranney who brings more than 30 years of experience leading organizations to build their philanthropic capacity. She assists through the cultivation and solicitation process, and trains board members and staff on their roles.

Topics include:

  • Engaging your Board in building your Case for Support
  • Involving Volunteers in Building Donor Relationships
  • Engaging your Board in making the “Ask”

Learning Outcomes:

  • An understanding of trends and issues in nonprofit board development
  • Practical tools for prospect development and a rating exercise
  • Clear expectations of the roles and responsibilities of a Major Gifts committee.

WORKSHOP (optional add-on): Fundraising As a Strategic Priority of the Leadership Triangle
This workshop is directed to nonprofit Chief Executives, Board Chairs and Chief Development Officers. Is fundraising a strategic priority across your organization?  Is your development officer considered a key leader? Or are investments in fundraising an afterthought? Featuring discussion of the “UnderDeveloped, A National Study of Challenges Facing Nonprofit Fundraising” report, we’ll discuss critical success factors and optimal dynamics within this leadership triangle.

Learn to:
* Resolve any impediments to shared leadership for fundraising success
* Plan strategically for fundraising growth and investments
* Boost your organization’s fundraising performance
* Instill philanthropy as a value across your organization.

Register now