We are pleased to announce two online workshops on key aspects of fundraising hosted by West Marin Fund and facilitated by Melanie Hamburger.
The first workshop is tailored for smaller nonprofits, and the second is for more established ones. However, everyone is welcome to attend all sessions! There is no limit to how many people from your organization can attend, so please forward this invitation to anyone on your board or team who could benefit from these free training opportunities.
”“Together, we’ll delve into the transformative power of building relationships with donors through consistent, straightforward communication and growing major gifts with organizations' existing resources. Using real-world examples, step-by-step guides, and practical exercises, we will develop a roadmap from surviving on a shoestring to thriving on a stable financial footing”
– Melanie Hamburger
Workshop 1: Fundraising for Small Nonprofits
October 11 & 18, 11:00-12:30, online
Small nonprofits do excellent work with limited resources. Hit the ground running in your fundraising, no matter where you are in the process! During this two-session workshop, you will practice how to:
- Develop language that appeals to donors and makes your work stand out
- Get board members involved in donor cultivation
- Practice conversations with donors and how to make an ask
- Track gifts and build a donor database
- Create a simple, annual fundraising plan that feels doable
- Create a year-end campaign
- Fundraise collaboratively and non-competitively in a small arena
- Get practical tips and free templates for program descriptions, budgets, and more!
Workshop 2: Leveraging your Staff, Board, and Systems for Financial Stability
October 25 & November 1, 11:00–12:30, online
You have a track record and proven programs and leadership. How do you get stable funding? Learn to grow donors and major gifts with the resources you have. During this two-session workshop, you will hone your skills to:
- Engage your board in donor cultivation and create a culture of ease around fundraising among your staff
- Move towards major gifts
- Understand the power of asking open-ended questions and listening to your donor’s values
- Create and get feedback on a “program pitch piece” for major donors
- Transition to a donor database if you’re tracking gifts in Excel
- Align your fundraising efforts around a year-end campaign
- Fundraise collaboratively and non-competitively in a small arena
About Melanie
Melanie is a seasoned fundraiser with decades of experience as a development director, major gifts officer, and fundraising consultant. She has done every fundraising aspect, from closing a $250,000 gift to the minutia of gift entries and acknowledgment letters. Her passion is seeing small nonprofits grow and succeed in fulfilling their missions. Melanie and her small, talented team at CommunityGrantwriters.us are committed to free, low-cost fundraising support for grassroots, social justice organizations. They have helped nonprofits double and triple annual revenue to support a wide variety of causes, including health equity, journalism, conservation, education, foster youth, survivors of domestic violence, veterans, LGBTQ+, African Americans, women, and Latinx communities. Read more and connect with her on LinkedIn. A longtime resident of Marin, Melanie has had a home in Inverness for 20 years, which has fostered a deep love and appreciation for the unique communities of West Marin.
