Finding Foundation Funders: the art of successful research | Cincinnati, OH

Finding Foundation Funders: the art of successful research

According to a recent survey of grantmakers, between 40% and 75% of the proposals that they receive do not fit their guidelines. It is now recognized that the more thoroughly you conduct your research, ask smart questions, and cultivate foundation contacts, the more your organization will stand out from the crowd.

This session will cover the following topics:

Prospecting for new money: how to find suitable grantmakers in expected and unexpected places
Computer resources and technology: where to find the best information on grantmakers on the web
Making sense of foundation guidelines: and how to read between the lines
Is there a fit: how to decide whether a foundation's priorities are compatible with your mission

This session is ideal for beginning grant seekers who are getting their feet wet, and need step by step guidance on how to find appropriate funding.

Speakers for this session:

Lynda Heyl

President

Advancement Counsel, LLC

Lynda has been involved in development for 25 years. In her current position, she is responsible for advising and assisting nonprofit organizations in all phases of fundraising. She provides staff training on prospect research and development processes. She also provides training for strategic planning, audits, feasibility studies, and campaign consulting. Previously, as Senior Director of Development at The Ohio State University, Lynda was responsible for the supervision and advisement for a team of development officers. She worked on the strategic team for a $1.2 billion campaign. Before that, she worked as Director of Development at the OSU College of Human Ecology where she was responsible for directing college campaigns, conducting research, and prospecting activities. She prepared campaign materials and conducted donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship. Lynda currently serves as a board member for the Madison County Chamber of Commerce and the Children's Hunger Alliance. She earned BS in Education and Human Ecology from The Ohio State University and a MS in Education and Human Ecology from OSU. She is a member of The Association of Fundraising Professionals. She is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). She has consulted with organizations in the United States, China, and the Dominican Republic.

Thomas Starr

Founder & CEO

Miracles for Life

Tom is a two-time liver transplants recipient and founder of the Miracles for Life Foundation, cofounder of the Sales Centre at Ohio University, and three other hi-tech startup companies. Tom is currently using different forms of media to spread the word and find funders for his organization. He is currently leading an international fund raising campaign to produce a documentary called "The Walking Cure". In the past he has found and reached funders by appearing on television and radio as a spokesperson for Hoxworth Blood Center, the American Red Cross, and Donate Life America. His creative social entrepreneurship and research strategies have raised millions of dollars. His success in fundraising has come from successful research of foundations and corporations through online resources, Charity USA, and other various databases. Tom serves on numerous boards at Ohio University and committees for Donate Life American and the United Network of Organ Sharing. An examiner for the ONE Award, (Organizations of Noteworthy Excellence) Tom is dedicated advocate of continuous improvement for non-profits. Tom earned a marketing degree in Business from Ohio University.

Andy Swallow

Chief Development Officer

Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden

Andy has been involved in development for over 20 years. In his current position, he provides leadership to development officers and grant writers engaged in foundation solicitation and has extensive personal experience in identifying and developing relationships with a variety of corporate, community, and family foundations. Previously, as Director of Development and Marketing at the Boy Scouts of America, Andy was responsible for all fundraising and brand promotion efforts. He earned a B.A. in Public Administration from Miami University. Andy is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and earned CFRE certification in 1999. His other areas of expertise include board development, capital and operating fundraising, planned giving, marketing and community relations.

Cincinnati Fundraising Summit

A relationship approach to fundraising
Nonprofit fundraising has become highly specialized, and each segment of your donor market requires a different set of relationship management skills. Whether you are reaching out to private foundations, wealthy individuals or your own members, you need to understand who they give to, and why. The Cincinnati Summit focuses on the relationship aspects of fundraising, and offers you several ways to enhance your relationship management skills:

Day One:
In the morning, listen to a panel of private, corporate and community grantmakers who will openly discuss their philosophy on grantmaking, how they operate, and most important, how you can build a more successful relationship with the grantmaking community. In the afternoon, participate in seminars led by experienced grant seekers who have successfully secured many corporate and foundation grants, and have built successful relationships with the grantmaking community.

Day Two:
Attend a series of fundraising seminars covering the hottest areas of fundraising (capital campaigns, major gifts, annual giving campaigns, and many more). Panels of experts will discuss the latest developments in these fields, and then enter into a dialogue with the participants that addresses their most pressing questions.

WHY ATTEND THE FUNDRAISING SUMMIT?
Fundraising is primarily a relationship business, and with increasing pressures facing all nonprofit professionals to build key relationships, it is becoming more important, though much more difficult to meet people face-to-face. Our innovative Summit format provides the most efficient and cost effective use of time away from the office by enabling attendees to interact with experts in the field, as well as other nonprofit leaders.

CAN ONE ATTEND SPECIFIC SESSIONS ONLY?
We understand the demands that are placed on you and on your time. That’s why you can attend only the seminars that are of interest to you. Come for the day or stop by for a couple of hours. You pay for only the seminars you wish to attend and only for the information relevant to you. It’s a novel approach to learning that allows you to get exactly what you’re looking for in a short amount of time. In 2009, we are introducing a two-day pass so that attendees can attend all sessions at a reduced price.

WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE SEMINARS?
Each seminar features a panel of 3-4 experts who will break down the fundraising process into a series of phases with measurable outcomes and action steps for each phase. During the seminar, panelists will engage with the audience in an interactive manner to ensure that the sessions are educational and also fun to attend.

ONE-ON-ONE MENTORING SESSIONS
In 2009, we are adding an exciting new component to our Summits: one on mentoring sessions. In these 30 minute sessions, you can sit down with an experienced nonprofit fundraiser to discuss specific questions not addressed by the seminars. Mentoring sessions will cover the same topics as the seminar topics.

HOW IS THE SUMMIT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER EDUCATIONAL EVENTS?
The Summit offers a unique format to help you accomplish the following:

Build relationships: to ensure maximum exposure to the experts and other nonprofit leaders, each seminar offers structured networking before the session starts
Hear different perspectives: the experts are drawn from different sectors of the nonprofit community to ensure cross-pollination of ideas and practices
Provide a global view: speakers give an overview of key issues so that you can eliminate any gaps in your understanding of the subject
Drill down to the specifics: speakers will also focus on providing specific answers to real-world questions that are common to most attendees
Obtain information you can use: the emphasis in all sessions is on avoiding theoretical discussions in favor of practical tools and techniques that nonprofit leaders can actually use

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUMMIT?
The Summit is organized by the Center for Nonprofit Success, a nonprofit organization that specializes in bringing highly relevant information that nonprofit leaders need to run their organizations successfully. We developed the Fundraising Summit series as a follow-on to the Nonprofit Success Forum, a highly successful educational series on grantmaking that has been taking place around the country for the past two years. The Fundraising Summit drills down into specific areas of fundraising to give nonproft leaders cutting edge tools and techniques.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR THE SUMMIT?
Simply click on the seminars listed below to learn more about the topics that will be covered in each seminar. Then select only those seminars that you wish to attend.

Location/Directions

Location:

The Summit will take place at the Tangeman University Center, which is located on the University of Cincinnati West Campus. The Tangeman Center is easy to reach by public or private transportation. The Tangeman University Center is located just minutes from downtown Cincinnati and 20 minutes from the airport. The full address is:

2766 UC Main Street
Cincinnati, OH 45221

Public Transportation:

Public bus transportation is provided in Cincinnati by GO METRO Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA). Metro Bus Routes 17, 18 & 19 from Downtown stop at the Main Gate of the Univeristy. The Metro stop at the Main Gate is at the intersection of Clifton and Calhoun. It is a five minute walk from the stop to the Tangeman Center. To get to the Tangeman Center from the Metro Stop, go up the hill past the guard’s hut, to where the hill crests, this is University Plaza. Directly in front of the plaza is the home of the president, University Pavilion. If you walk around this building to the opposite side, you will come to a Quad area. If you look diagonally to your right, you will see Tangeman University Center.

Directions By Car:

From the north or south via I-75

From I-75, take the Hopple Street exit (exit 3). (If you are traveling north, Hopple Street exits from the left lane).

Turn left off the exit on to Hopple Street. As you cross the first intersection (Central Parkway), Hopple Street becomes Martin Luther King. Follow Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Jefferson Avenue. Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue and follow to the second traffic light. Turn right onto Corry Boulevard and follow Corry to the 3^rd stop sign. At the 3^rd stop sign look to your right and you will see a grey slate building with a clock tower this is where the Great Hall is located. At the 3^rd stop sign bear slightly to the left and enter the CCM Parking Garage which is located underground. Park in the far right hand corner marked Electronic Media on any level and take that hallway to the elevator. Take the elevator to the 4^th floor and exit outside. Once outside take the walkway over to the grey slate building, Tangeman University Center (TUC).

From the west via I-74

Take I-74 east to I-75 south. Take the Hopple Street exit (Exit 3). Turn left off the exit onto Hopple Street. As you cross the first intersection (Central Parkway), Hopple Street becomes Martin Luther King Drive. Follow Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Jefferson Avenue. Turn right onto Jefferson Avenue and follow to the second traffic light. Turn right onto Corry Boulevard and follow Corry to the 3^rd stop sign. At the 3^rd stop sign look to your right and you will see a grey slate building with a clock tower this is where the Great Hall is located.

At the 3^rd stop sign bear slightly to the left and enter the underground CCM Parking Garage. Park in the far right hand corner marked Electronic Media on any level and take that hallway to the elevator. Take the elevator to the 4^th floor and exit outside. Once outside take the walkway over to the grey slate building, Tangeman University Center (TUC).

From the north via I-71

From I-71 southbound, take the Taft Road exit (exit 3).

The exit places you on Taft Road, a one-way street heading west. Follow Taft Road to the 5^th traffic light and turn right onto Jefferson/Vine Avenue. Follow Jefferson/Vine to the 1^st traffic light. Turn left onto Corry Boulevard and follow Corry to the 3^rd stop sign. At the 3^rd stop sign look to your right and you will see a grey slate building with a clock tower this is where the Great Hall is located. At the 3^rd stop sign bear slightly to the left and enter the CCM Parking Garage which is located underground. Park in the far right hand corner marked Electronic Media on any level and take that hallway to the elevator. Take the elevator to the 4^th floor and exit outside. Once outside take the walkway over to the grey slate building, Tangeman University Center (TUC).

From the east via US 50

From US 50 westbound, turn right on Taft Road.

Taft is a one-way street heading west. Follow Taft Road to Jefferson/Vine Avenue. Follow Jefferson/Vine to the 1^st traffic light. Turn left onto Corry Boulevard and follow Corry to the 3^rd stop sign. Turn right onto Corry Boulevard and follow Corry to the 3^rd stop sign. At the 3^rd stop sign look to your right and you will see a grey slate building with a clock tower this is where the Great Hall is located. At the 3^rd stop sign bear slightly to the left and enter the underground CCM Parking Garage. Park in the far right hand corner marked Electronic Media on any level and take that hallway to the elevator. Take the elevator to the 4^th floor and exit outside. Once outside take the walkway over to the grey slate building, Tangeman University Center (TUC).

Parking:

Visitor parking is available in three garages near the Tangeman Center on West Campus: CCM Garage, Varsity Village Garage, and Clifton Court Garage. All University Garages have an automated Pay In Lane (PIL) attendant. This machine will be in your lane as you exit the garage. It accepts cash, change and major credit cards (visa, amex, mc & discover). Surface parking lots are for permit parking only. The CCM Garage is the closest parking garage to the Tangeman Center. Cost for parking in the three parking garages listed below is as follows:

1 hr - 1.5 hrs $5.00 1.5 hrs - 2 hrs $6.00 2 hrs - 2.5 hrs $7.00

2.5 hrs - 3 hrs $8.00 3 hrs - 24 hrs $9.00

CCM Garage (off Corry Blvd) (Auto Cashiering PIL - no attendant) Driving Directions to the CCM Garage: From Jefferson Avenue, take Corry Blvd towards the Gettler Stadium. Just past the Stadium take the round-about to CCM Blvd, pass the Varsity Village Garage and enter the CCM Garage. From Calhoun Street, take Varsity Village Drive past the Gettler Stadium. Enter the round-about to CCM Blvd, pass the Varsity Village Garage and enter the CCM Garage. Walking Directions to Tangeman University Center: Exit the CCM Garage and cross through CCM Plaza. Pass the Nippert Stadium on your right. The Tangeman University Center will be directly in front of you on Bearcat Way. Go to the 4th floor to our registration desk outside the Great Hall. This will be about a 5-minute walk.

Varsity Village Garage (off Corry Blvd.) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant) Driving Directions to the Varsity Village Garage: From Jefferson Avenue, take Corry Blvd towards the Gettler Stadium. Just past the Stadium take the round-about to CCM Blvd, veer off to the right into the Varsity Village Garage. From Calhoun Street, take Varsity Village Drive past the Gettler Stadium. Enter the round-about to CCM Blvd, veer off to the right into the Varsity Village Garage. Walking Directions to Tangeman University Center: Exit the Varsity Village Garage and pass between the Vocal Arts Center on your left and the Nippert Stadium on your right. Follow the path around the stadium to the right. The Tangeman University Center will be directly in front of you on Bearcat Way. Go to the 4th floor to our registration desk outside the Great Hall. This will be about a 5-minute walk.

Clifton Court Garage (off Clifton near Martin Luther King Dr.) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant) Driving Directions to the Clifton Court Garage: From Martin Luther King Drive, take Clifton Ave south. Turn left onto Clifton Court and follow around until you come to Clifton Court Garage. From Clifton Avenue heading north, turn right onto Clifton Court and follow around until you come to Clifton Court Garage. Walking Directions to Tangeman University Center: Walk past Rieveschl Hall and walk along the front of the Old Chemistry building to the right. Pass between the Old Chemistry building on your left and Braunstein Hall and your right. Continue walking straight ahead and past Swift Hall. The Tangeman University Center will be straight ahead. It is a circular shaped building. Go to the 4th floor to our registration desk outside the Great Hall. This will be a 5-10 minute walk.

Additional Parking Garage Options:

Calhoun Garage (off Corry Blvd. or Calhoun St.) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant)
Corry Garage (off Jefferson Avenue and Corry Blvd) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant)
Woodside Garage (off Martin Luther King Dr.) Auto Cashiering (PIL - no attendant)
Campus Green Garage (off Martin Luther King Dr.) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant)
University Ave Garage (off University Ave) Auto Cashiering (PIL-no attendant)

Hotel Accommodations:
Most hotels near the Summit venue are within the $103 - $169 per night range. The following hotels are within a 2.5 mile radius of the hotel.

1. Marriott Kingsgate Hotel at UC BOOK NOW .60 miles from venue

2. Springhill Suites by Marriott BOOK NOW .84 miles from venue

Midtown Cincinnati

3. Comfort Suites Newport BOOK NOW 1.92 miles from venue

4. Cincinnatian Hotel BOOK NOW 2.10 miles from venue

5. Holiday Inn Express Bellevue BOOK NOW 2.10 mile from venue

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