Insights

SEATTLE, August 2, 2021 – Alford Group is pleased to welcome Greg Whitney, as a vice president of the firm effective August 2, 2021.

“We are very excited to welcome Greg to Alford Group,” said Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO of Alford Group. “He brings 25 years of experience in nonprofit management and fundraising. His knowledge in this field is tremendous and will significantly benefit our clients across the country.”

Throughout his career, Whitney has had hands-on experience in major gifts, planned giving, annual campaigns and events. He has deep knowledge of fundraising proven practices, relationship building and collaborative leadership.

Prior to Alford Group, Whitney served as the Director of Major Gifts & Individual Giving for Food Lifeline, a nonprofit providing food to more than 300 food banks, shelters and meal programs across Western Washington. In this role, Whitney led the department to triple its major gift support within three years.

In addition to Food Lifeline, Whitney has held numerous leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. He strengthened the development and implementation of the planned giving program at United Way of King County, directed all aspects of the fundraising and communications departments at Uplift Northwest (formerly Millionair Club Charity), spearheaded the planned giving program at YMCA of Greater Seattle and doubled giving during his time with Harvest Against Hunger (formerly Rotary First Harvest).

“I am thrilled to join the top-notch team at Alford Group,” Whitney said. “I look forward to building off my background in fundraising and philanthropy to serve and strengthen nonprofits across all sectors. I am excited to share my expertise and assist organizations in deepening their impact to create a better world for ALL people.”

Whitney serves his community in a number of ways. He is a past president and former board member for the Washington Planned Giving Council, served as the WPGC Conference Committee Co-Chair for two years, is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), past member of Childhaven’s Planned Giving Advisory Committee and current member with the West Seattle Rotary Club.

About Alford Group

Alford Group is a national, full-service, equity-forward consulting firm specializing in the social sector. Our work empowers organizations to reimagine what it means to make a difference – to aim higher, reach further and dream bigger. Services include fundraising, strategic planning, culture of equity assessments, governance, data analytics, interim staffing and more.

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Read Greg Whitney’s Bio.

Free Virtual Event | Online | July 13, 2021 | 12:00 p.m.EST

The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Alford Group presented the just-released Giving USA 2021 report looking back at philanthropy for the year 2020. A panel of community leaders spoke on how the philanthropic landscape has and will continue to change since COVID-19. We discussed how the upheaval of daily life has impacted the philanthropic space.

This free webinar was approved for 1.5 points toward CFRE certification.

PRESENTER:

Sharon Tiknis, Chief Client Experience Officer, Alford Group

MODERATOR:

Vicki Pugh, CFRE, CAP, Vice President for Philanthropic Giving, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

PANELISTS:

Danita D. Nias, President & CEO, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties

Patrick McNamara, President & CEO, Palm Health Foundation

Sabeen Perwaiz, Executive Director, Florida Nonprofit Alliance

Cathy Brown, Associate Director, The Fund Raising School at the Indiana University – Lilly Family School of Philanthropy

Free Webinar | Online | July 13, 2021 | 1:00 p.m.EDT

This past year has been like no other. The events of 2020 will forever change the social sector and philanthropy.

On Tuesday, July 13 Alford Group presented the recently-released Giving USA report looking back at 2020 giving, which will inform our look forward. How has COVID-19 impacted giving? Are funders changing priorities based on current events? We discussed these questions and more during our time together.

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding of the data and trends around giving in America in 2020
• Information on how COVID-19 impacted giving last year
• Tips for how to apply this research to your organization’s strategy and approach

Giving USA Report Details

First published in 1956, Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy is the longest running, most comprehensive report on philanthropy in the United States. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. The Giving USA 2021 report will be released June 15th by The Giving Institute. Alford Group is a longtime supporter of Giving USA and member of The Giving Institute.

How things have changed a year later in the Pacific Northwest

Free Webinar | Online | July 14, 2021 | 9:00 a.m. PT

Following a presentation of the new Giving USA data outlining 2020 results, a panel of experts revisited where they were this time last year and what has changed. The discussion included how COVID has changed fundraising; how this data and information will impact fundraising going forward; how the social unrest this past year has impacted philanthropy; and what are the lasting trends that viewers should be prepared for.

Giving USA Report Details:

First published in 1956, Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy is the longest running, most comprehensive report on philanthropy in the United States. It is researched and written by the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and released by The Giving Institute.

GIVING USA REPORT PRESENTER: Karen Rotko-Wynn, CFRE, Chief Business Enterprise Officer, Alford Group

MODERATOR: Brenda B. Asare, President and CEO, Alford Group

PANELISTS:

• Robin Callahan, CFRE, Vice President of Philanthropic Services, Greater Tacoma Community Foundation
• Elena Fracchia, CWS, AVP, Wealth and Philanthropic Advisor, Columbia Bank
• Bernadine (Bernie) C. Griffin, Managing Director, The Fifth Avenue Theatre
• Asa Tate, Chief Development Officer, Wellspring Family Services

Led by the Planned Giving Round Table of Northern Nevada (PGRT) and the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Sierra Chapter

Virtual Speaker Program | Online | July 27, 2021 | 11:45 a.m.PT

This past year has been like no other. The events of 2020 will forever change the social sector and philanthropy. During this program, Alford Group will present the recently-released Giving USA report looking back at 2020 giving, which will inform our look forward. How has COVID-19 impacted giving? Are funders changing priorities based on current events? We will discuss these questions and more during our time together.

Key takeaways from this session include:

1) An understanding of the data and trends around giving in America in 2020;

2) Information on how COVID-19 impacted giving last year;

3) Ideas and tips for how to apply this research to your organization’s strategy and approach for working with donors and clients.

For more information and to register, email inquiries@pgnv.org.

SPEAKER:

Karen Rotko-Wynn, CFRE, Chief Business Enterprise Officer, Alford Group