Client Spotlight: LifeWire

Groundbreaking ceremony for construction and renovations to begin May 2022

LifeWire is a Washington-based nonprofit that provides compassionate services, safe housing and hope to domestic violence (DV) survivors, children and families in need. LifeWire is the largest DV housing provider in King County, providing emergency and relocation services for survivors and their children who would otherwise have to remain in an abusive home or become homeless. They are recognized nationally as a leader in providing innovative, survivor-driven, trauma-informed care. Domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness for women and children in the nation. Continue reading “Client Spotlight: LifeWire”

AFP Chicago Virtual Workshop: Building Resiliency, Recalibrating Mission, and Deepening Impact

Virtual Workshop | Online | January 21, 2022 | 12:00-1:15 p.m. CST

Building Resiliency, Recalibrating Mission, and Deepening Impact

As nonprofit organizations continue to adapt to the profound effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, strategic planning, collaborative relationships with board members, and a strong path forward is essential. Our panel of esteemed CEOs described their leadership journeys, shared how they have navigated their organizations to solid ground during the pandemic, and reflected on what is ahead for our sector. Attendees came away from this program understanding leadership principles that leverage change to advance mission and empowered to contribute to an organizational culture that overcomes challenges and articulates a clear, bold vision for the future.

Moderator:

Brenda B. Asare, President & CEO, Alford Group

Panelists:

Greg Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Joffrey Ballet

Jamal Malone, Chief Executive Officer, Ada S. McKinley Community Services

Bela Moté, Chief Executive Officer, the Carole Robertson Center for Learning

Giving USA 2021: Looking back to look forward

How things have changed a year later in the Pacific Northwest

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

Giving USA 2021 Overview: https://www.alford.com/giving-usa-2021-overview/

Giving USA 2021 Infographic: https://www.alford.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/GUSA2021_Infographic.pdf

Alford Group Applauds MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett for Donating $2.74 Billion in Transformational Gifts

June 17, 2021

MacKenzie Scott, author and philanthropist and Dan Jewett, educator and philanthropist announced this week another round of grants to 286 organizations across the country, totaling $2.74 billion. Scott granted 384 organizations funds totaling $4.2 billion in late 2020.

STATEMENT FROM BRENDA B. ASARE, PRESIDENT & CEO, THE ALFORD GROUP

Alford Group applauds MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett for their transformational contribution to the nonprofit sector. At an important time in our nation’s history as we take on social injustice, work to dismantle systemic inequities and create a world where ALL people can thrive, MacKenzie Scott and Dan Jewett are leading the way with their generosity.

We are proud of our clients and other worth organizations who are receiving these gifts and empowering change in communities across the country. Congratulations on being recognized for the deep impact being made every single day and the strategic pathway forward as you activate and strengthen a more just world for ALL people. Alford Group is proud to be your partner today and into the future.

It is not lost on me that Scott’s and Jewett’s announcement comes on the same day as the release of the Giving USA 2021 Annual Report on Philanthropy. The new report announced an all-time high of giving for the year 2020 at $471.44 billion, with 88% coming from individuals. The power of giving by individuals has fueled the nonprofit sector for generations and Alford Group is excited for our collective future together.

Full list of recipients

 

Giving USA 2021 Overview

Video overview (5 minutes) by Karen Rotko-Wynn, CFRE, Chief Business Enterprise Officer, Alford Group

Summary by Araceli Duran, Client Service Associate, Alford Group

On Tuesday, June 15, Giving USA released The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the year 2020. It was a much-anticipated report given the upheaval of daily life everyone has experienced in the past year and a desire to see how that upheaval has impacted the philanthropic space. Here is a brief overview following the release of this year’s report. Continue reading “Giving USA 2021 Overview”

Love in the Time of COVID

We’re talking about staffing, so what’s love got to do with it?

By Wendy Hatch, CFRE, Vice President and JoAnn Yoshimoto, CFRE, Senior Consultant

In the time of COVID, in the midst of so much change and uncertainty, let’s imagine that you’re faced with staff turnover in the development department. What shall we do? What will tomorrow look like? How can we predict the best possible course of action? Continue reading “Love in the Time of COVID”

Board Members and Nonprofit Leaders: It’s Time.

By Molly Hansen, Vice President

As we ask ourselves: Now What? What do we do in this ever-evolving “new normal?” It’s time to take action. Here are the five actions to take today.

As a consultant with Alford Group and former development professional with more than 30 years’ experience in the nonprofit sector, when my colleagues and I see what is happening all around us, we regularly ask “How might we have the most positive impact with our clients? How can we improve our work so that our clients can better serve their participants, members, families, patients, students, children and youth?” Continue reading “Board Members and Nonprofit Leaders: It’s Time.”

Planning for the New Normal: The 3 Cornerstones to Success

By Karen Rotko-Wynn, CFRE, Chief Business Enterprise Officer, Alford Group and Immediate Past-Chair of the AFP U.S. Foundation for Philanthropy

As I have stood side-by-side this last year with some of the brightest and most creative fundraisers that I know, I have continued to be amazed and in awe of the strength and utter tenacity of the individuals who lead our sector. It is an understatement to say it was an unusually challenging year. Continue reading “Planning for the New Normal: The 3 Cornerstones to Success”

Four Elements to Strengthen Your Planning

By Alexis Cooke, Senior Consultant

Organizations have been in constant flux to respond to 2020. Your organization likely implemented crisis response plans quickly after the onset of COVID-19. These response plans may have transitioned into scenario plans to navigate the ongoing crises of this year and/or your organization made substantial pivots or even pauses to your organization’s strategic plans. As the non-profit sector continues to respond to the devastating realities of the pandemic and our country’s social and racial injustices, Alford Group elevates four specific elements that will strengthen your implementation and positioning for success, if embedded into your planning processes – crisis, scenario or strategic.

#1 Be Analytical

Continue reading “Four Elements to Strengthen Your Planning”

Tomorrow’s New Normal: 4 elements of an action-forward approach to planning

MODERATORS:

  • Alexis Cooke, Senior Consultant, Alford Group
  • Jamie Phillippe, CFRE, Vice President, Alford Group

PANELISTS:

  • Felicia Davis, President and CEO, Chicago Foundation for Women
  • Darrin Goss, President and CEO, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina
  • Rachel Krinsky, Executive Director, LifeWire
  • Michele Stauff, Executive Director, Million Dollar Round Table Foundation

Slide Deck: Planning Webinar Presentation_Alford Group