Cost
AFP Members: $15
Non-Members: $25
Monthly giving has long been known for its ability to sustain nonprofit revenue and to strengthen relationships between donors and their nonprofits. But did you know that monthly donors also hold one of the keys to predictability during anything-but-predictable times like COVID-19? In this panel discussion, you’ll learn from three greater Kansas City development professionals on how they’ve helped grow their organizations’ monthly giving programs; how to start small and to set goals for the next two years with your monthly giving program; and how to identify monthly giving prospects in your donor database. And, if you already have a thriving monthly giving program in place, you'll learn about how to continue to refine and to grow your program even during the most challenging of situations.
About the Moderator
David M. Fulk, KCUR 89.3
Prior to joining the KCUR staff in October 2014, David was an active KCUR volunteer for about ten years. He loves asking listeners to become members during membership drives. In 2010, he was named KCUR Volunteer of the Year.
Combining his passion for KCUR with his more than 25 years of professional fundraising experience, it was only natural to pursue a development position at KCUR. David’s prior experience is from Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation and William Jewell College, where he received his undergraduate degree in history. He also holds a master of religious education degree.
David currently serves on the board of AFPKC. He enjoys singing, playing piano, acting, and lending his voice to other community endeavors such as host of the Liberty Summer Band. He is the elected City Clerk of Liberty, Mo., where he resides with his wife, son and dog.
In his leisure time, David is an avid reader, historian, golfer, and puzzle solver.
About the Panelists
Adrianne DeWeese, Linda Hall Library
Adrianne DeWeese joined the Linda Hall Library as its Development Associate in September 2017. Adrianne oversees the Linda Hall Library Foundation's annual giving program, including the Science Sustainers monthly giving program; donor database activities; and prospect research.
Beginning her professional career in journalism, Adrianne worked as a newspaper reporter on nearly every beat at The Leavenworth Times and The Independence Examiner from 2008 until 2013. Her reporting earned recognition from the Kansas Press Association, the Missouri Press Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists, Heart of America Chapter. Storytelling remains an important part of Adrianne's career as a fundraiser, and she is committed to telling the stories of donors in hopes of inspiring others to share why they give.
Adrianne earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Sociology from Kansas State University in 2008 and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in 2018. In 2019, she completed the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership's Professional Fundraising Series. She is a member of AFP-Kansas City, serves on the UMKC Henry W. Bloch School of Management Alumni Association Board, and plays clarinet in the Overland Park Civic Band.
Marie Dispenza, KC Pet Project
Marie Dispenza joined KC Pet Project as its chief development officer in October 2018. Marie oversees all KC Pet Project development activities including solicitation of operational support, major gift prospecting, donor stewardship and recognition programs, monthly giving programs, and planned giving opportunities in an effort to raise $2.2 million through philanthropy each year.
Marie’s professional career has exhibited her being a champion of and for the nonprofit sector including her experience through fundraising, development, marketing, public relations, and grant-making. Her development career began at Wayside Waifs and continued to Rose Brooks Center. Most recently, Marie led the charitable foundation of the Kansas City Royals, Royals Charities, as its director focused on oversight of the $3.5 million public foundation. Marie is an alumna of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce's Centurions Leadership Program and represented the Royals as a Most Wanted Honoree in 2016 selected by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Kansas City. A personal advocate within the Kansas City animal welfare community since she and her partner adopted an energetic terrier in 2009, Marie has also served Legal Aid of Western Missouri, where she previously worked as a staff attorney representing indigent clients in Kansas City.
Marie earned a B.S. degree in journalism with an emphasis in sales and marketing at the University of Kansas. A member of the Missouri Bar, she graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law where she was the president of the Sports and Entertainment Law Society. She resides in Kansas City, Missouri, with her partner, Buddy, and their two adopted terriers, Tobin and Lincoln.
Bill Sundahl, KKFI 90.1
Bill Sundahl is Development Director at KKFI 90.1FM. Bill joined Kansas City's Community Radio in May 2014 as Events and Volunteer Coordinator and became Development Director in July 2017. He was previously the owner of Spice of Life Productions, which produced the Crossroads Music Fest and many more great Kansas City events. He is also a working musician, playing bass and singing in the Starhaven Rounders.
In 2016, Bill completed the Professional Fundraising Series at the Midwest Center for Nonprofit Leadership, and he has recently joined AFP. Since becoming Development Director at KKFI, the monthly giving program has grown by 388% in monthly donors and 428% in revenue.