VIRTUAL LUNCHEON - Now More Than Ever: Strategic Thinking by Nonprofits, Fundraising for 2020

Why is thinking strategically so instrumental to successful fundraising?  Our panel will discuss the essential nature of strategic planning for nonprofits and, in light of the current crisis, the undeniable need to think strategically about all aspects of development to support nonprofit organizations of all kinds.

This event is being co-sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Golden Gate Chapter.  Come join us for this virtual Zoom meeting (details to follow). You'll be in for an interactive, engaging, and lively session!   Our panelists will be Eric Ryan, Founding Partner, Mission Met, Laura Sears, Co-founder and Development Director of Vida Verde, Michael Allison, Principal of Michael Allison Consulting and Debi Harris, Director of Development of Public Advocates, Inc. and moderated by James Lee, DER Board Member and adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco Graduate School of Management.

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Eric Ryan, Founding Partner, Mission Met
As a national expert in nonprofit strategic planning, Eric Ryan provides strategic planning services to organizations nationwide. In addition to his consulting work, Eric has been an executive director, program director and board member for several organizations. He has repeatedly seen how strategic planning can dramatically benefit fundraising success.  
 

Laura Sears, Co-founder and Development Director, Vida Verde
Laura Sears is a co-founder and development director for Vida Verde Nature Education, a Bay Area nonprofit. Under her leadership her organization has met or exceeded their fundraising goals annually for over ten years. A key element of her fund development success has been Vida Verde's dedication to strategic planning.  
 

Michael Allison, Principal, Michael Allison Consulting
Mike Allison has led strategic planning processes for nonprofits for more than 25 years, and is co-author of “Strategic Planning for Nonprofits,” John Wiley and Sons, 2015 3rd Ed.  He previously served as Director of Consulting and Research at CompassPoint Nonprofit Services. 

Debi Harris, Director of Development, Public Advocates, Inc.  
Deborah (Debi) Harris joined Public Advocates as its inaugural Director of Development in 2014.  She is responsible for developing and leading strategic donor giving programs that increase Public Advocates’ engagement with individuals, law firms, corporations and foundations.  Debi is known by family, colleagues and friends for her passion in raising awareness and funding for women’s rights issues. In January 2019, she was named to a three-year term as a board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Golden Gate Chapter. 

James Lee, DER Board Member and Director of Business Development, Revolution Foods

James has an extensive track record as a leader in both the nonprofit and business communities. He has led innovative education-focused organizations, built multiple businesses as a private sector entrepreneur, and developed strategy, programs, teams, and organizations as a senior executive, board member, and sought-after consultant, successfully helping to transform organizations as they move from good to great.  A graduate of Princeton University, James began his career at McKinsey & Company and then founded and helped run several multi-million-dollar businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area before shifting to the nonprofit sector. James currently serves as an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco Graduate School of Management, advises a number of mission-driven organizations, and serves on multiple boards.

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Registration for this event is required.  Registration is $20 for DER members and $40 for non-DER members.

(NOTE: To receive the discounted members' rate, you must sign in to your account before registering.)

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Venue: This will be a virtual Zoom meeting.  Zoom deatils to follow.

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Cancellation Policy: If you contact us to cancel your registration before the deadline (04/15 at noon), you may receive credit towards a future event. If you cancel your registration after the deadline, the payment will be considered a tax-deductible donation to DER.  Thank you for your support!