I’ll be teaching in AFP’s First Course program in April. This is a super introduction to all the basics of fundraising. The early bird registration deadline is tomorrow!
Here are all the details:
April 15 & 16, 2010
8:00 am to 5:00 pm and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
SFU Surrey Campus, 250 – 13450 – 102 Avenue, Surrey, BC
The AFP First Course in Fundraising offers a complete overview of the development function, featuring state-of-the-art information and techniques. This two-day program includes case studies and projects for groups and individuals, making the learning experience both substantive and enjoyable. It is designed for fundraisers with less than 3 years experience in the development field, fundraising and board volunteers, individuals interested in pursuing a career as a professional fund raiser, and allied professionals who want a better understanding of development (i.e. special event planners, communication specialists, etc.). Participants will learn how to organize and manage fundraising programs, gain basic skills in a variety of techniques and prepare for a career in development.
The course introduces fundamental concepts and techniques including:
• Securing individuals as annual donors.
• Upgrading and securing major gifts.
• Conducting capital campaigns.
• Working with trustees, volunteers and CEOs.
• Obtaining grant support from foundations, corporations and government sources.
• Operating a development office.
Registration fees:
Member – Early Bird – $325.00 + gst
Non Member – Early Bird – $375.00 + gst
Member – Regular Registration – $375.00 + gst
Non Member – Regular Registration – $425.00 + gst
Early Bird registration deadline is Tuesday, March 30, 2010 – 9:00 pm (PDT)
Please note that the Regular registration deadline is now Sunday, April 4, 2010 – 9:00 pm (PDT)
It is great to see the Vancouver Foundation coming back to a regular schedule of grant making. Their 2010 deadlines have been announced here. First deadlines are for letters of inquiry for Arts & Culture, Education and Youth, Children & Families on February 10, 2010. Most the other programs have a deadline of July 23, 2010.
CNNMoney.com has an uplifting feature on Stressful Jobs that Pay Badly and fundraiser is number 7. We are in the company of social workers, special event coordinators, news reporters, assisted living directors and high school teachers.
Things have really changed because not too long ago, fundraiser made it on the 2009 list of America’s Best Careers, according to US News & World Report.
There is also a list of Least Stressful Jobs, just in case you are looking for a career change.
“It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
The Vancouver Foundation has just released Weathering the Storm, a look at the state of nonprofit organizations in British Columbia today.
So many organizations are feeling the strain of funding cuts and decreased giving — this report confirms just how hard the sector is being hit. It is very worthwhile reading, especially to understand the context for fundraising and organizational management these days. Even if the economy is improving, 2010 is not going to be an easy year. More layoffs, budget cuts, closures and mergers are on the horizon. Click here to download the full PDF report.
Key findings of the survey were:
“We chose the name of this report very deliberately,” said Faye Wightman, CEO of Vancouver Foundation. “The experience that charities, including ourselves, have been through this past year is equivalent to a hurricane plowing through the community. Now the storm may be passing but it has left a lot of devastation in its wake. There is much repair and rebuilding that needs to be done. And some structures are now so fragile they could collapse at the first gust of wind. We expect 2010 will be harder than this current year for many charities.”
Here’s a little video from The Onion, just in time for Halloween…
Anonymous Philanthropist Donates 200 Human Kidneys To Hospital
Canadian Heritage has officially named November 15th, 2009, National Philanthropy Day in Canada. There are celebratory events planned all over the country (and beyond). Read all about them.
If you are in the Metro Vancouver area, a Philanthropy Day lunch will take place on November 10th at the Westin Bayshore. Tickets and details can be found here. It’s a great event for saying thank you to your donors and volunteers.
I’ve always liked the slogan: “Change the world with a giving heart.”

If you work in the nonprofit world in BC (and if you are a person who cares about culture, the environment, seniors, homelessness, libraries, people with disabilities or just about anything else that matters in our community), you are probably worried about the massive cuts being made to gaming grants and other provincial programs.
I urge you to speak out and express your concerns to the government, through letters to politicians or through the provincial budget consultations on now. The deadline for public input on the budget is October 23, 2009. You can answer their survey, make an online submission or sign up to take part in a public hearing. All the details can be found on the government’s budget consultation page.
If you want to express support for arts and culture, here is a sample letter you could send. Here’s some news about the impact of cuts on the environment. And here’s the latest on cuts to domestic violence prevention programs. And here is an op-ed on how gaming was intended to support community organizations, but that promise is being broken.
The Association of Fundraising Professionals is offering a free 90-minute webinar presentation on “Understanding CRA Fundraising Policy & How it Impacts Your Fundraising” on Wednesday, September 23, 2009, at 1 p.m. Eastern time. This is a chance to hear some expert opinion on the recently released “Revised Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Guidance on Fundraising.”
Click here to find out more and to register.
The speakers, Ken Mayhew, a member of the AFP Canadian Government Relations Committee and chief development officer of the MS Society of Canada, and Terrance S. Carter B.A., LL.B., trade-mark agent, managing partner of Carters Professional Corporation and a member of AFP, will present material that will give participants a better understanding of the CRA guidance on fundraising process, purpose and application. There will be a Q and A session at the end.
I’m sad to report that WorkSpace, the shared office where I’ve been based for the last couple of years, is closing. So Blueprint has a new mailing address — please update your records:
54 – 1101 Nicola Street
Vancouver, BC V6G 2E3
Canada
Phone and fax remain the same.
Thanks for the coffee and conversation, Dane!