On the cutting edge of fundraising techniques

Posted on August 3, 2020 by Andy Ware

The Fund Raising School loves working with partners across the country and around the world. The school can design custom programs, online or in-person, for organizations big and small. One such collaboration took place right in The Fund Raising School’s backyard in Indianapolis.

The Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF) and its two affiliates, the Indianapolis Foundation and the Hamilton County Community Foundation (HCCF), believe in investing in their organizations and communities. So, CICF found the opportunity to work with The Fund Raising School to deliver Certificate in Fund Raising Management (CFRM) training to 30 individuals and the organizations they represent.

We sat down with Robin Elmerick, director of effective philanthropy at CICF, and Brittany Rayburn, director of development at HCCF, to learn more the partnership and how they hope it benefits Marion County and Hamilton County nonprofits.

What was the impetus behind this partnership with The Fund Raising School?

(RE): We believe strongly that we need to invest in the organizations that we serve. We also know firsthand the crucial need for fundraising when it comes to nonprofits’ abilities to thrive and be sustainable, and we know that diversification of funding is critical.

We also recognize that it can be difficult for small and medium-sized nonprofit organizations to find both the time and resources to invest back in themselves. They’re often pouring everything they have into the community, and it can be difficult to find the resources to engage in professional development opportunities. So, we wanted to help shoulder that cost to give them this opportunity.

We want these organizations to be as sustainable and successful as possible, and we believe that a partnership with The Fund Raising School will give them rich knowledge and skills to help strengthen their organizations.

Brittany Rayburn (BR): When we look at the nonprofit landscape, we realize that support doesn’t always have to be in the form of a grant to an organization. Instead, we’re able to provide some funding assistance and find a way for these individuals to have an awesome professional development experience.

We also really loved that it allows for a natural cohort of participants to go through the training together. It’s a natural environment for organizations to meet, learn from one another, and collaborate in the future.

What is the critical need for fundraising and trained fundraisers in Marion and Hamilton counties? What challenges do they face?

BR: As we’ve mentioned, the funding landscape is constantly changing. Helping organizations across both counties realize and work on implementing different mechanisms for fundraising is so important.

As we’re working with these organizations, we’re looking into how we can branch out, be more creative, and be on the cutting edge of different fundraising techniques.

RE: The participants chosen cover a broad range of niches and focus areas, which we wanted to include.

The experience levels in the room also ranged from brand new to fairly experienced individuals. We did that purposely. No matter where you’re at in your fundraising process, you can always sharpen your skillset and learn more. You can learn from each other’s real world experiences of fundraising in Central Indiana.

So far, we’ve also seen that even though organizations are unique, many of them face the same or similar challenges. It’s nice for them to see that they’re not alone. They’re able to experience it and figure it out together.

How is the program set up?

RE: It’s spread out over the course of a year. We wanted to be respectful of the individuals and their time. We chose Principles and Techniques of Fundraising, Developing Major Gifts, Developing Annual Sustainability, and Managing the Capital Campaign.

What can The Fund Raising School learn from professionals working in the field?

BR: This is a great opportunity to continue to plug into some of the needs of local organizations who are doing the “boots on the ground” work, and learn about the challenges they face.

It contributes to a spirit of learning overall from one another.

What are your end goals?

RE: We know that the knowledge gained will enhance the nonprofit organizations represented in the room. Not only will the participants themselves learn, but they’ll also share those experiences with others in their organization. Thus, more people will benefit from the experience.

Long-term, we want to empower and add strength and capacity to these organizations to better serve the people that they’re working with and the communities that they’re a part of.

BR: We hope that these individuals give back to their organizations and continue to invest in the philanthropic landscape in both Marion and Hamilton counties. If we continue to train philanthropic professionals, we hope that the fruits of that training will continue to produce.

Find a Fund Raising School training course

Making a career of philanthropy

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Andy Ware

How did native Iowan Ellie Moore learn about philanthropy? How is she making a difference today?

We asked Moore, a current master’s in philanthropic studies student, about her early experiences with philanthropy, what she’s learned from the program so far, and her future goals.

How did you first become involved with philanthropy growing up?

Ellie Moore (EM): My mom has been very involved in her community. When we were younger, we would visit nursing homes, serve funeral dinners, and work on other service-type activities.

At the time, I didn’t really think of it as service; I just saw it has something that we did.

When I went to middle and high school, I started running some one-off projects. I did school supply drives for kids in Afghanistan, and sewed dresses for kids in Africa. I found ways to get involved with people outside of my community who lived around the world. But I still didn’t see it as a career.

When I got to college, I was involved with volunteer experiences like Dance Marathon. I also was a member of a scholarship group where we did a number of service projects.

It wasn’t until I studied abroad in Ireland, though, and interned with Special Olympics there that I realized I could make service work a career.

With that knowledge, what did you do when you returned to the U.S.?

EM: I interned at a community foundation in Dubuque, Iowa where I went to school. I found a mentor in philanthropy and after I graduated, I followed her to a position at the Iowa Council of Foundations (ICoF), which is a regional philanthropy-serving organization.

What do you currently do?

EM: I currently serve as the director of grantmaking and strategic communications at the Community Foundation of Johnson County (IA).

How do you stay engaged with traditional nonprofits?

I worked part-time for Girls on the Run, where I served as northern program manager, coordinating the sites of our programs in my region and managing the volunteer coaches who deliver those programs.

Do you prefer working with a traditional nonprofit, or working on the funder-serving side?

It’s hard to say! One of the reasons I loved working at the community foundation was connecting nonprofits to each other and helping them share resources.

I also really like being on the ground and serving my community directly. However, I think we need to be better at sharing resources and connecting people in communities to those already doing great work. As a funder, you have a lot of connections to a large number of nonprofits on the ground in your community, so you’re able to connect organizations who might be running similar activities or programs, and help them collaborate. I hope we will see more collaboration in the future.

I enjoy being involved in a little way with a lot of different organizations, different types of nonprofits, and the incredible community leaders directing these organizations.

How do you balance all of your work with school?

I work flexible hours, which has been helpful when fitting in school. The organizations I’ve worked for believe the master’s degree program at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy is important not only for my own personal growth and development, but also to inform and support the organizations. Their flexibility and the experiences I’ve gained while in the program have supplemented my academic work, rather than hindering it.

What have you learned from your coursework?

I really enjoyed my gender and philanthropy course, because a great deal of my work has revolved around empowering girls and women. We learned about invisible history. We discovered women who have started charitable movements or raised millions of philanthropic dollars, even though we’d never heard about them prior. I’ve really enjoyed learning about people who have given back and learning from their experiences.

I’ve also worked with funders, and so I also really liked the grantmaking class. What’s the textbook way to read proposals, make grants, etc., and how does that play out compared to the reality for the grantmakers I work with? Are practices of openness and transparency in grantmaking being implemented, and if so, how?

Overall though, I’d say that I enjoy different pieces of each class that I’ve been in.

What advice do you have for potential students interested in philanthropy?

Be open to opportunities and try new experiences. One important part of my journey has been working in and volunteering with a wide variety of nonprofits; small and large, domestic and international, and funder and grantee. It’s helped me to be able to do my jobs better and understand multiple points-of-view.

Is it ever a bad idea to say ‘thank you’?

Posted on July 27, 2020 by Andy Ware

By Kelly R. Young

Patrick Dwyer, Ph.D., went to college to study math before becoming hooked on studying human nature through the scientific method, going on to earn his doctorate in social psychology at the University of Minnesota.

In 2017, he joined the faculty at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy as an assistant professor of philanthropic studies after completing a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Through his research–and with the students he teaches–Dwyer is seeking answers to the questions of why people help others, and when and why they look the other way. What are the benefits of gratitude, and is it ever a bad idea to say “thanks”? His research focuses on motivation, emotion, and social action.

Dwyer is a sought-after premier researcher in philanthropic studies. In his classroom, he educates his students on the deeper understanding of what makes donors tick and what drives their giving while motivating them to think deeper as well. He has profound knowledge on the art of philanthropy, combining motives of giving with practical strategies that result in helping donors engage in meaningful ways that sustain over time.

Dwyer inspires his students to appreciate the complexity of gratitude; how it is expressed and received. One theme in all his courses is motivation, and the idea that there are several kinds of motivations that can underlie someone’s philanthropic activity. He uses research findings and research-based strategies to encourage students to think of philanthropic concepts in new ways.

In and outside of the classroom, Dwyer continues to focus his research efforts on gratitude and the influence of expressions of gratitude on people’s behavior. This is a relatively new area of research. He is driven by the exploration of both the positive and negative aspects of gratitude expressions, along with the dynamics of other emotional expressions in people’s everyday interactions.

Dwyer believes there are a variety of expressions and emotions of gratitude, which is something he likes to analyze with his students. He has written about gratitude and the implications of saying “thank you,” and how it can be studied from three different perspectives: the individual perspective, relationship perspective, and group perspective. Dwyer helps his students–and others–put the “you” in “thank you” by understanding the multiple expressions of gratitude.

Kelly Young, president of Baise Communications, is an award-winning public relations counselor with 25+ years of experience in working with nonprofit and small businesses. She has worked in nearly every capacity of public relations throughout her career and has a proven track record of success in media relations, social media, brand management, communications planning, and community relations. She has built a strong reputation within the community and is sought after for her industry expertise and thought leadership. Kelly is a natural storyteller and an enthusiastic advocate for causes.

Making her passion her profession

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Andy Ware

In previous blog entries you learned that Kelsey Harrington, B.A.’19, has dual degrees in philanthropic studies and business, completed an internship in South Africa, and has a passion for education.

Recently, Harrington, program assistant for the George and Frances Ball Foundation, updated us through videos about her current position and how she’s using her degrees to make a difference in her community.

Learn how her previous internship experiences helped her earn an internship, and then job, at the George and Frances Ball Foundation.

Learn what Harrington enjoys the most about her current position.

What advice does she have for current students?

Learn more about our bachelor’s program

Earning a master’s: My journey of discovery

Posted on July 20, 2020 by Abby Rolland

How do you earn a master’s degree in philanthropic studies?

There’s the obvious. You learn about the school, you apply, you’re accepted, you enroll, you take classes and an internship, you graduate. Simple enough, right?

Maybe. But what do you really learn?

Well, I can show you my journey as an example. It will hopefully give you an idea of what this school offers. However, my journey is my journey. I lived in Indianapolis, so I could decide whether I took in-person, executive, or fully online courses. I took classes at my own pace. The semester I got married, I took one. Most times, I’ve taken two, which has worked well with my full-time work schedule.

I’ve taken the electives that are interesting to me (there are so many other fascinating ones as well!). I’ve completed internships (one for credit, one for interest) that were tailored to my interests. So this will vary for you, but I hope to show you the value of the degree and what I’ve learned.

My first semester was a nerve-wracking one. It was that feeling of “I haven’t been in school in a while and I’m not sure I can do this well.” Don’t worry, that feeling will pass, and you’ll learn and apply more than you ever anticipated.

First Spring

Principles and Practices of Fundraising – In-person. I do not intend on being a fundraiser (although some academic and non-academic coursework suggests otherwise, and who knows where life takes you). However, I found this class interesting, useful, and engaging. I worked with a local nonprofit to discuss their fundraising plan, and compared my analyses of their work with best practices in the field.

Civil Society in Comparative Perspective – Online. What is civil society, and how does it relate to philanthropy? How do other countries’ civil societies inform our work of philanthropy in the U.S.? For someone interested in different countries, international issues, civil society, and philanthropy, this was right up my alley.

First Summer

Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector – Executive. I took this course mostly online, but with a week at the school in July. It was exhausting, but well worth it. We went on site visits, had people from different nonprofits come and speak to us, and talked broadly about the role of nonprofits in society. I really enjoyed this week with classmates and learned about some amazing nonprofits in Indianapolis.

Applying Ethics in Philanthropy – Online. Ethics sounds boring, right? It’s not. What stands out to me were the simple and practical ways that ethics impact philanthropy. We also read two amazing books, which highlighted course concepts that I continue to recommend to people working inside and outside of philanthropy.

Internship (not for credit) – Johnson County Community Foundation. I did an extra internship. You only need one (I promise!) but I wanted other experiences. I’m really glad I did. Community foundations are fascinating engines, and I got to step in at the end and see the execution of this foundation’s first 24-hour giving day. Community philanthropy is an empowering, collaborative experience, and can really help build community. Cliché, but true.

First Fall

Law of Nonprofit Organization – In-person. Law honestly takes everything you know, twists that up, and dumps it on its head. However, it also offers an important history and understanding of how law shapes philanthropy and nonprofit organizations. If you had told me before this class that knowing about cy pres and deviation, as well as the duties of care and loyalty would be important, I would have laughed. Yet, they’ve informed my knowledge of philanthropy ever since.

Second Spring

Grantmaking and the Role of Foundations – In-person. This class looks at (*shockingly*) the role of foundations, specifically private foundations (i.e. not community nor operating ones). Foundations are fascinating, yet controversial, engines. You most likely have your own opinion now, but this class gives you the opportunity to explore, both in theory and in practice, why foundations exist and how they affect nonprofits and public policy today.

Institutional Fundraising – Online. My first elective! Again, I don’t foresee myself being a fundraiser (at least at this point) but I do believe it’s important to understand as many aspects of nonprofit work as I can. So, since I had to take a class about the role of foundations and grantmaking, I wanted to learn about the flip; how to fundraise and write grants from foundations (as well as corporations, government entities, and other organizations). For this class, I learned about institutional fundraising, and had to write a standard grant proposal. In three words? It’s not easy. I have a new level of respect for grant writers.

Second Summer

Study Abroad in Berlin — Abby and her study abroad classmates in Berlin.

Philanthropy in a Comparative European Perspective – In-person (mostly). Another elective. I love learning about other countries and their politics, cultures, history, and society, so I knew I had to take a course about philanthropy in Germany and the Netherlands. Not only did I learn about how philanthropy differs in those countries compared to the U.S., and why we should care about philanthropy in other countries, but I also was able to visit those countries and talk to academics and practitioners working in the field. Amazing experience.

Internship (for credit) – The West Foundation. I learned about local, place-based, community philanthropy in one internship, and then went to learn about philanthropy in a small, private foundation that gives grants internationally. The foundation has really emphasized giving operating support and flexible, multi-year grants to its partners, which is something I’ve grown to really admire and respect during my learning experience.

Second Fall

Economics of Philanthropy – Online. I won’t lie and say that understanding economics is never a struggle. However, it’s one of those courses that again, helps you understand the sector and why taxes, the stock market, and the three failures theory matter. I dreaded this course when I started the master’s. If you try to learn and engage with the material, I promise you’ll learn something worthwhile.

Community Foundations – Online and in-person. My final elective! I had the thrill of taking most of this course online, and then attending the Growing Community Foundations conference in Wichita, Kansas, where hundreds of community foundation leaders and practitioners gathered to discuss research and trends in community philanthropy. Community foundations can bring out the best in philanthropy, and the attendees at this conference showed that they and the organizations they represented were no exception.

Third Spring

History of Philanthropy – Kind of in-person. My last course, which ended up being half in-person and half online because of the COVID-19 pandemic. History is one of those subjects that helps you learn why things are the way they are today. This course taught me, or emphasized again that 1) philanthropy has been around in the U.S. before the country existed as a country, 2) philanthropy has marginalized at best and terrorized at worst minorities in this country. To learn from the past, we must do better in the future, and 3) you’ll see themes running through philanthropy now that existed before. In other words, trends aren’t always new.

So as you can see, the degree is 1) personalized, 2) useful, and 3) manageable and flexible. I worked full-time, got married, ran a half marathon, started a move across the country, traveled nationally and internationally, and still had time to relax.

Is the degree rigorous? Of course. Will you spend countless evenings and weekends completing assignments, projects, and papers? Yes. But to me, it’s been 1,000 percent worth it.

See the full list of Fall 2020 master’s level courses

Abby Rolland has her master’s degree in philanthropic studies and her Certificate in Fund Raising Management. She currently serves as a fellow at The Patterson Foundation.