Development Training for Nonprofits – Series Begins 3/23/16
The Individual Donor Development Institute (IDDI) is back, due to popular demand! You may wish for individuals to contribute to your nonprofit organization, but how do you make that happen?
One Participant’s Story – The Village Project
Regina Mason, a volunteer with Seaside’s The Village Project, Inc (TVP) shared some insights with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence about how IDDI made it happen for them.
Regina Mason, Village Project volunteer
What hats do you wear at TVP?
I currently wear any hat necessary, since I’m retired. I’m doing hands-on help with our after school tutoring program and the Community Leadership Project, specifically to do fundraising.
What community need does TVP address?
TVP offers mental health services for children and families that are culturally appropriate. (Learn more from this report on Kidsdata.org). Our after school tutoring program specifically needs donor support. One of our board members and respected community leader, the late Mae C. Johnson, was an educator and she spearheaded our tutoring program to get started. She believed all children could succeed if they had the right environment. She helped model it.
Development Training Benefits
You participated in the IDDI training a few years ago. What were some tools that you brought back and applied at TVP?
I learned a lot from the class that still applies today. Lisa covered the A-Z steps of donor development. I wasn’t a fundraiser at all before, but I learned about “linkages” and interest. It gave us some language for how to cultivate donors and who the players should be in setting up a meeting, and then asking for support. This approach was enhanced after taking the class.
What surprised you?
When we set-up meetings with donors, we were prepared, knowing their previous giving levels. People are generous and willing to give to people they have a relationship with. If you follow a model you’ve learned, it makes it much easier to implement a strategy.
The Motivation
What motivates you most about your work?
We’re seeing awful numbers in the data on how African Americans are disproportionately represented in Monterey County felony arrests of children 17 years or younger and school suspension rates. Serving our clients with respect to their cultural identities makes me more passionate about the work when we’re seeing these trends. At TVP we affect great changes for children and their families. I love seeing them get on track.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I think the world of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. We wouldn’t be as far along as an agency, especially as a grassroots organization from start-up to where we are today. We’ve been blessed to grow this agency. – Regina Mason, The Village Project, Inc.
IDDI Details & Registration
Individual Donor Development Institute
5-Part Series: 3/23, 4/27, 5/25, 6/22, 7/27
Begins Wednesday, March 23, 2016 4:30 – 7:30 PM
Community Foundation for Monterey County
2354 Garden Rd., Monterey
$400 registers up to 3 people and includes dinner (scholarships available).
Facilitator: Lisa Bennett (Certified Fundraising Executive and faculty with Indiana University’s Fundraising School)
Individuals attending all five sessions will receive a CFMC completion certificate.