2016 NCDC Conference & Exposition

You are new to the Ministry of Fund Raising.   So where to begin? What is it that you really need to know as you embrace this ministry?  This session will present you with a solid blueprint of starting points - from planning, to basic facts, to donor cultivation to ‘landing’ the first of many gifts.  You'll learn the “A to Z” essential components of a comprehensive development program.  Included will also be mentoring from ‘seasoned’ fund raising professionals that will meet individually with you to ‘walk through’ the conference sessions so that you can “Invigorate Your Mission Through the Magic of Catholic Philanthropy”. 

We all know that campaigns are opportunities to focus your community around common goals and raise extraordinary support for key organizational priorities.  But campaigns have multiple benefits.  It can inspire leadership, elevate giving levels of current donors, and attract new donors.  But how does this really happen?  How can your organization use a campaign, especially in a challenging economic climate, to leverage opportunities to engage your board, revitalize alumni leaders, find new major donors, and motivate and empower staff?  This session will discuss best practices, innovations, and use real examples from recent successful campaigns.

Objectives:
1. Session participants will explore the art of cultivating lasting relationships with high-capacity volunteers, utilizing collaborative communications and developing a comprehensive strategy to support local opportunities.
2. Attendees will also learn how to use the affluence of their networks as well as innovative ways to celebrate and steward volunteer leadership.
3. Finally, attendees will discover the strategies and tactics necessary to empower their staff for success in their campaigns and beyond.

Take a different approach to establishing best practices in your development operation: by learning from the rich and varied experiences of two senior professionals with over 50 years (combined) working in leadership AND development for Catholic schools, dioceses and organizations. Our presentation will explore best practices for 2016 advancement through FIRST a review of what absolutely does not work -- in some cases, forever, in other cases in the 2016 world of development and fundraising

Objectives:
1. Share 2016 "best practices" for maximizing philanthropic dollars for your organization.
2. Walk through a thorough understanding of how a 2016 major gifts program must be vastly different from the program of even just a few years ago
3. Place an effective major gifts program within the context of an office stretched for dollars and personnel

Learn from a grant expert with over 30 years of experience a variety of ways to improve grant applications to ensure a higher success rate. We will discuss where to look for grant funders and items to consider as you work on the grant budget.

Objectives:
1. Educate participants about where to look for grant funding
2. Increase participant's confidence so they are not intimidated about applying for grant funding.
3. Share multiple ways to improve a grant application.

What is oftentimes the main reason fundraisers are afraid to ask for a gift? The fear of hearing the word “NO!” A donor objection is really a window of opportunity for the solicitor to listen and draw the donor closer to the mission. This interactive session will discuss ways to turn donor objections into wonderful gift opportunities.

Objectives:
1. Listening to donors’ objections and way to effectively respond
2. Overcoming donor objections: Is it the solicitor? The project? The timing?
3. Keeping the door open to donors that may decline a gift today—but may give a gift tomorrow

Americans are among the worlds most generous people, but some donors are more generous than others and some will give more now and others later. Understanding the characteristics of different groups of donors can help you be more effective in helping them to maximize their Philanthropy.

Objectives:
1. Correct common misconceptions about giving and donor behaviour
2. Give an overview on major trends in charitable giving
3. Provide actionable information to improve overall fundraisimg efforts