September 2024 Newsletter | |
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Happy September, Friends!
Last week I attended the National Community Action Partnership Convention which celebrated its 60th year of Helping People and Changing Lives across the 50 states and Puerto Rico. One of the keynote speakers was our old friend, Vu Le. If you recall, he was our keynote speaker at our virtual 2020 National Philanthropy Day during the pandemic. Love him or not, he always makes you laugh. So, I thought I would start this month on a lighter note and share some of his points:
- For profits are like food. You see it, taste it, experience it, and you eat it to sustain yourself. Nonprofits are like air: no one appreciates them. You can’t see it but you really need it to survive. Nonprofits need to be less invisible.
- He made up some funny show ideas like the “Nonprofit Amazing Race”: watch nonprofit staff race to the finish line to get a used metal filing cabinet!
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He talked about overhead and the donor wanting to restrict funding to “only go to the project” not for staff or anything else. He said it was like a donor only wanting to fund the water in a fire hose, not the hose or the firefighter, demanding that the hose-to-water ratio not exceed 15%. (Please join us on September 16 at the Palm Theater to see the movie Uncharitable, which discusses this a lot).
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He talked about answering the “sustainability question” on grant applications. You know the one, “how will you fund this project after this grant has ended….” He said, we are filling in gaps left by society. There is no such thing as sustainability - we are always going to be asking. (if you want some sample answers to this question, click here)
And, while there were many gems like these in his hour-long speech, I will leave you with this final one, paraphrased, “nonprofits need to understand our power.” He gave some numbers which I have updated: In California, 7.9% of people are employed in NPO’s, nationwide NPO’s employ 12.3 million people, spend $2 trillion, $1 trillion of that on goods and services and $826 billion on salaries. (link to source)
Together we are making a difference in our community. Let’s work together to be more visible!
Hope to see you all on September 16th!
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Join the SLO Chapter of AFP Today! | |
Are you employed by, donate to, or serve on the board of a San Luis Obispo County nonprofit? If so, please consider joining our chapter. With your membership, you will enjoy a wealth of career-building programs, educational resources, networking opportunities and exclusive member discounts. Learn more.
For our nonprofit friends with small operating budgets under $2 million with less than 2 full time fundraising staff, you may want to consider a Small Nonprofit AFP membership. It’s only $125 plus a $60 chapter dues and is transferable if your development professional leaves, as opposed to the Individual Professional membership, which is $290 plus $45 in chapter dues.
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Coming Up This Month
September Mixer: Movie Night - Uncharitable Screening
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Monday, September 16, 2024
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
*movie will be followed by an optional group discussion
Please note that a prior newsletter stated the incorrect start time. The screening will begin at 7:00 p.m!
Palm Theatre
817 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo, CA
Tickets
General Admission $20
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Please join us for a local screening of the film Uncharitable. We encourage you to invite your friends, family, colleagues, and even board members! This will be an amazing opportunity for our community to come together. All are welcome.
All proceeds will benefit the Association of Fundraising Professionals SLO County Chapter.
“This is a movie that everybody who gives, volunteers or works at a non-profit organization needs to see at least once.” Loren Leidinger, President, AFP-SLOCO.
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A Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
*For more information on program sponsorships, please contact Loren at lleidinger@capslo.org
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Recap of Our August Program
Success in Q4: Planning Effective Giving Tuesday & Year-End Campaigns
The August AFP SLO monthly luncheon offered a dynamic and insightful session focused on maximizing fundraising efforts during the crucial fourth quarter. Attendees gained valuable strategies for planning and executing successful Giving Tuesday initiatives and end-of-year (EOY) campaigns. The event featured an esteemed panel of experts: Emily L'Heureux, CEO of Woods Humane Society, Debby Nicklas, a seasoned local fundraising executive, and Michael Kaplan, Community Engagement Director at Transitions-Mental Health Association. Their engaging and electric energy made the session approachable and informative for all.
A memorable moment occurred when Michael Kaplan humorously shared his reasons for opting out of Giving Tuesday, sparking a lively discussion. Emily L'Heureux countered with an endorsement, highlighting Woods Humane Society's impressive $125K raised on Giving Tuesday last year. This exchange underscored the diverse approaches to fundraising within our small, interconnected community of nonprofit organizations.
Attendees appreciated the ample time for questions, which facilitated a rich exchange of ideas across organizations. The session’s collaborative atmosphere provided valuable insights, reinforcing that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution in fundraising. Participants left with actionable strategies and a renewed sense of community support, ready to tackle their fourth-quarter fundraising goals.
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National Philanthropy Day 2024 | |
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Join us for a celebration of philanthropy within the
San Luis Obispo County Community!
November 14, 2024
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Every year the Association of Fundraising Professionals celebrates National Philanthropy Day to recognize the generosity in our community and the work of fundraisers like you.
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Thank You Sponsors!
Becoming a sponsor for National Philanthropy Day 2024, is a great way to not only show support of our chapter, but also support our community. Click below to learn more about the variety of sponsorship opportunities and benefits.
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Member Updates
We welcomed the following new and renewed members to the chapter since August 1st:
Hayden Gardner, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art
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Free Webinars Hosted by AFP this September
AI Myths Debunked: How to Grow Innovations in Your Fundraising Program
September 5, 2024 10:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more
Unlock More Good: Innovative Ways to Amplify Engagement on Giving Tuesday
September 11, 2024 10:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more
Mind the (Generational) Gap: Data-Backed Strategies to Engage & Inspire Donors of All Ages
September 18, 2024 10:00 a.m. PST
Click here to learn more
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AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter proudly connects individuals and organizations through job opportunities in development and fundraising on the Central Coast. Click here to learn more about each posting.
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People's Self-Help Housing
Donor Relations Manager
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AFP General Chapter Support Fund | |
Your donation to the San Luis Obispo County AFP General Chapter Support Fund will support a variety of initiatives aimed at fostering professional growth and networking opportunities for fundraising professionals in our community. If you'd like to support our chapter financially, please see the donation link below for more information. Thank you for your generosity! | |
Invite Your Board Members | |
This month we are so excited to be showing the film Uncharitable! This is a must-see for every board member. Make it a point to invite them to attend this approachable inroad into how to think about philanthropy. (include link here again) | |
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AFP San Luis Obispo County Chapter
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