Chapter Update
March 22, 2023
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Membership Event & Webinar Watch: "Board Bloom"
Free April Education Session
Thursday, April 27, 7:30 am - 9:30 am
New Berlin West Performing Arts Center Foyer
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Join us as we kick off the 2023 mentor/mentee program, talk membership benefits, network over coffee, then watch the webinar “Real Life Strategies to Empower Board Members to Get Involved, Impact, and Influence Others,” followed by a discussion. |
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BE the CAUSE is Coming Soon!
Donations Will Be Matched During ICON
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BE the CAUSE, an annual campaign of the AFP Foundation, supports us in different ways. It funds scholarships, leadership development, education, and much more - at the local, national, and international level.
Donations of at least $20 to this year's BE the CAUSE will be matched to our Chapter by $10 for the first 1,000 donations during ICON, beginning on April 16!
When you give to the BE the CAUSE campaign, benefiting both our Chapter and the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy, you are investing in the future of our profession and advancing philanthropy for the greater good.
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Become a Certified Fund Raising Executive
CFRE Application Deadline is 4/15
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If it’s your goal to become a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), submit your application by the April 15 deadline and have up to one year to sit for the exam. Enjoy the flexibility to test when it works best with your schedule.
Our members save 20% off the cost of CFRE certification. To enjoy the discount, select “Association of Fundraising Professionals” from the dropdown menu of organizations inside your CFRE application. The discount will be automatically applied. Please note: Your membership with us must remain active through your exam date.
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Mentor/Mentee Applications Open
Apply by 4/15
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Are you at a point in your career where you feel you have the ability to share your journey and the lessons learned along the way?
Are you new(ish) in your path to becoming a professional fundraiser and would like to ask questions and seek advice outside of your own organization?
Now is the time to enroll in our Mentorship Program! Applications are being accepted now through April 15, and matches will meet at the Membership Event & Webinar Watch on April 27!
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Nominate an Outstanding Donor, Volunteer, Organization, Young Person, or Fundraiser!
NPD Nominations Due 4/28
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This year's National Philanthropy Day (NPD) is on Wednesday, November 15 at the Pfister, and award nominations are now open! NPD is a special day to recognize and pay tribute to the impact of philanthropy. AFPSEWI hosts a luncheon event to honor people active in the philanthropic community who have made our lives, communities, and our world a better place. Show appreciation for all your organization's donors, foundations, corporations, and volunteers by nominating them for a National Philanthropy Day award. The deadline to submit nominations is 5:00 PM on Friday, April 28, 2023. |
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RECAP: CRAFTING A WINNING SPONSORSHIP
3 Questions to Ask
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Sponsorships are an important part of fundraising efforts, but how can we maximize sponsorship revenue? Over 65+ attendees learned the ins and outs of producing winning sponsorships at our "Crafting a Winning Sponsorship" event last week at the St. Vincent de Paul Meal Program Site. Stefanie Ahrens, Director of Corporate Engagement at Children's Wisconsin and Ann Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer at the University Wisconsin - Whitewater, shared wisdom gained over their 45-combined years of experience. |
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Presenters Stefanie and Ann noted that the term "sponsorship" is outdated and the current preferred term is "partnership." This gets to the heart of their presentation – it’s not about asking for money as much as it is asking a business to partner with your mission in a way that is meaningful to them. Developing, securing, and funding a successful partnership requires asking the following questions:
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Who are we talking to? This can be broken into two segments – people we are already engaged with (board, vendors, committee members) vs new prospects (found through monitoring trends, news articles, and Google).
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How are we talking to them? A generic letter is ‘fine,’ but success hinges more on a personalized, unique ask. It might not even be cash; it could be an in-kind gift, space, or awareness. If doing a cold call, make sure you do your research! Who are the people, what is the mission, and what is important to them? Have a list to respond to the word no (provide an alternative).
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When are we talking to them? Oftentimes, we make an ask in the months leading up to the need. However, keep in mind the budget cycle of a prospective partner. A business may budget in September and you MUST be included in that budget to be funded the following year. Find ways to have touch points with a partner year-round to stay on their funding radar.
Key throughout all of this is doing your research and knowing your audience. Building a long-term partner relationship can take time – months, or even years. Diversify your requests and be sure you are giving them a REASON to give to you - how will they benefit? Most of all, trust is critical. If you don’t deliver on what you are promising, trust may be broken and future funding jeopardized.
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More Chances to Learn and Connect...Register Today! |
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