Session 1B: FIFTY & FLOURISHING: BUILDING AND EXECUTING AN ANNIVERSARY CAMPAIGN
(9:30 am - 10:30 am)

Presented by: Leanne Graham, Executive Director of Victim Assistance Program, and Ari Barrett, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Victim Assistance Program

         

Fundraising is better described as "friend-raising," and building an anniversary campaign is all about highlighting and deepening those established relationships while developing new ones. In 2022, Victim Assistance Program is celebrating 50 years of service to Summit County. This anniversary campaign is essentially an opportunity to continue serving the community for another 50 years, by inspiring new partners and increasing the depth of longstanding partnerships. This presentation will discuss primary considerations that are essential to planning and executing a successful anniversary campaign. These considerations include relationships, evidence, audience, and legacy. In addition, we will discuss the tools, materials, and collateral needed for carrying out a multi-platform, multi-media anniversary campaign. Along the way, we will share our own agency playbook of what has worked (and what hasn't) and what you need to know to increase donor and partnership engagement during your own campaigns.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the planning and development stages of anniversary campaigns.
• Identifying target audiences and developing cross-sectional campaign messaging to reach them.
• Understanding how to use deliver messaging across social media platforms to increase engagement and drive individual giving.
• Using storytelling to increase public engagement and deepen partnerships.
• Developing and sustaining relationships with prospective donors, current donors, and volunteers.
• Maintaining ethical practices and procedures in carrying out anniversary campaigns.

About Leanne and Ari: Leanne Graham, President of the Victim Assistance Program, has dedicated her life to serving those impacted by crime, violence, and tragedy. Leanne began her career as an advocate in the Children Who Witness Violence program. Earning her BA in Sociology, Criminology, & Law and MA in Justice Studies, Leanne served as both a shelter manager and resource developer. After serving as BWS's Director of Grants Management for three years, Leanne was appointed the Executive Director of the Victim Assistance Program in 2012. Leanne has greatly expanded VAP's service capacity to include educational programming and court advocacy during her tenure.

Ari Barrett is an engaging and creative nonprofit administrator who is dedicated to growing the fiscal sustainability and partnership infrastructure of small nonprofits. After serving in private business and administration, she saw an opportunity to combine her faith and business in nonprofit development. In 2016, Ari spearheaded the development of ARC Recovery Services, in Akron. She secured local and state funding for the new program and built a successful capital campaign for a brand-new recovery home. Now serving with Victim Assistance Program, Ari develops partnerships, funding, and outreach strategies that serve the needs of Summit County's most vulnerable residents.

Session 1C: DEVELOPING YOUR DIGITAL ACQUISITION STRATEGY
(9:30 am - 10:30 am)

Presented by: Danae Labocki and Chad Crawford, Founders of IMMIX Marketing

In this session you will learn how to:

• use the different digital platforms
• implement digital strategies on how to bring in new names and new donors into your organization
• develop congruent offers
• create a welcome and thank you communication stream
• measure the effectiveness of your campaigns

Learning Outcomes: We will equip you to leave this session so you can begin testing a digital strategy so you can acquire new names and new donors for your organization.

About Chad and Danae: Immix means “to mix in”– words that describe what they do so well. They are passionate about providing cost-effective strategic and creative solutions to help local organizations thrive. With their 30+ years of marketing and development experience, they have come to realize that these efforts are all about relationships. In fact, they would like to rename Marketing and Development to "Flirting, Dating, and Marriage for your Organization!" Their experience continues to help local organizations think outside the box so they can experience meaningful relationships and purposeful results.

FOR ALL ATTENDEES

SPECIAL MORNING SESSION PROVIDED BY AKRON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

"UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF PROFESSIONAL ADVISORS & PHILANTHROPIC ADVISING"
(10:45 AM - 11:45 AM)

Presented by: Karen Hrdlicka, Director, The Center for Family Philanthropy 
and
Laura Lederer, Senior Director of Development and Advisor Relations

        

As a fundraising professional you have heard the hype about donor-advised funds, maybe you received an unsolicited donation from one, but did you ever wonder why they are so popular? Laura Lederer and Karen Hrdlicka from the Akron Community Foundation will unlock the mystery of why professional advisors, philanthropic people and agencies are embracing this financial vehicle and why they are working with a community foundation rather than a commercial provider.

Learning Outcomes:
1. Understand why professional advisors work with community foundations.
2. Understand the many vehicles a community foundation offers that meet the needs of different donors.
3. Learn what philanthropic advising looks like and why donors are seeking to learn.
4. Introduce the Center for Family Philanthropy and how nonprofits can partner with the center.
5. Understand why agencies are partnering with a community foundation to build endowments and give donors options for their gifts.

About Karen Hrdlicka: Karen has spent her 30+ year career leading non-profits in Summit and Stark counties. Her past roles working with multi-generational families have prepared her for her current role at Akron Community Foundation. She currently leads the Center for Family Philanthropy which provides multi-generational philanthropic services to donor-advised funds and private family foundations along with public education on strategic philanthropy. Karen received both her BS and MBA from Kent State University. She is certified by 21/64 in evidence-based practices of philanthropic advising. She also practices what she preaches by giving her time, treasure, talent, and ties to community organizations.

About Laura Lederer: Laura Lederer is Senior Director of Development and Professional Advisor Relations at Akron Community Foundation. Laura meets with current and potential fundholders to discover their philanthropic passions while providing comprehensive charitable planning solutions. She also leads the professional advisory council made up of wealth advisors, trust officers, attorneys and accountants to increase the exposure of ACF and create giving opportunities that are simple and accessible to their clients. Laura’s favorite thing about Akron Community Foundation is the people she meets - learning where they came from, what motivates them, and the positive impact giving has made on their lives.

AFTERNOON SESSIONS

Session 2A: HOW TO KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON WITH YOUR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)

Presented by: Alex Coon, Executive Director of the Massillon Museum: Art & History

From saying the idea out loud to another human being to planning the dedication event, launching, and subsequently managing a successful capital campaign requires 100% buy-in from staff and board, a strong and singular vision, and an even stronger stomach. But your genuine belief in the vision coupled with a clear plan of action will inspire others to support it. This presentation will reinforce the importance of believing in your vision and its value, borrowing templates from your peers, and budgeting for the unexpected. Additionally, the presenter will share the Massillon Museum’s recipe for success, from selecting the right campaign cochairs, to identifying early donors and grant support, building a volunteer base to raise funds and awareness, and maintaining effective communication with your teams throughout the process. Particularly when it comes to navigating the complex relationships with contractors while meeting the expectations of donors, a strong support core is essential.

Learning Outcomes: Property and land acquisition, renovation, and new construction were all part of the Massillon Museum's process to launch a capital campaign to expand the facility. Establishment of a new endowment was another important facet. A public-bid process was engaged to select both the architect and contractors, and the Museum oversaw a multi-year campaign--with an early-giving phase and public fundraising phase--to gain community and government support in a strategic and effective manner. Budget revisions, flexibility in planning, volunteer engagement, fundraising for capital and endowment simultaneously, marketing, and staff resource evaluation will all be covered in this presentation.

About Alexandra Nicholis Coon: Alexandra Nicholis Coon, executive director for the Massillon Museum, holds a BA in art history from Kent State and MA in art history through the joint program at the Cleveland Museum of Art and Case Western Reserve University. She has been with MassMu since 2001, serving as curator from 2003 to 2010. Coon was the Ohio Museums Association board president (2017-2019) and is currently board chair for Visit Canton. She is active on the Cleveland Print Room, Massillon WestStark Chamber Foundation, Aultman Health Foundation, and Soroptimist International of Canton/Stark County boards. She has led two major capital projects for MassMu.

Session 2B: HOW TO ORCHESTRATE AN ACTIVE AND AMAZING BOARD
(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)

Presented by: Jeremy Lile, Executive Director of Heart to Heart Leadership

Whether you are just forming a board of directors, rebuilding a board, or simply wanting to be more intentional about the diversity of your board, this workshop will provide insights, perspective, and practical ideas for building a high functioning board of directors that supports the organizational mission and amplifies its message to the wider community.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Understand the qualities and characteristics of a high-functioning board of directors.
2. Evaluate the current strengths and opportunities for growth of your board of directors.
3. Develop an intentional plan to diversify and engage your board of directors.

About Jeremy Lile: Jeremy is the Executive Director of Heart to Heart Leadership Inc. Jeremy’s passion is to help people discover and deploy their purpose. For over 15 years, he has coached hundreds of individuals and teams to live out their core values and purpose. He believes that the foundational skills that come from the inner life have the most potential to inspire people in the work they do. He serves as the board Vice-Chair of the International Institute of Akron and on the committee for Leadership Akron’s “Leadership on Main”.

Session 2C: KEY ELEMENTS OF AN EFFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
(1:30 pm - 2:30 pm)

Presented by: Danae Labocki and Chad Crawford, Founders of IMMIX Marketing

In this session you will learn how to:

• use the different digital platforms
• implement digital strategies on how to bring in new names and new donors into your organization
• develop congruent offers
• create a welcome and thank you communication stream
• measure the effectiveness of your campaigns

Learning Outcomes: We will equip you to leave this session so you can begin testing a digital strategy so you can acquire new names and new donors for your organization.

About Chad and Danae: Immix means “to mix in”– words that describe what they do so well. They are passionate about providing cost-effective strategic and creative solutions to help local organizations thrive. With their 30+ years of marketing and development experience, they have come to realize that these efforts are all about relationships. In fact, they would like to rename Marketing and Development to "Flirting, Dating, and Marriage for your Organization!" Their experience continues to help local organizations think outside the box so they can experience meaningful relationships and purposeful results.