A leader is far more than a label - leadership is about taking actions to create sustained, positive transformations within an organization. Great leaders align their own values and vision with those of their business and help operationalize them for the future. The most meaningful way to demonstrate these skills is to passionately communicate your shared vision and practice what your company stands for. Leaders also cultivate committed employees who strive to lead as well. It is this approach to leadership that is responsible for The Walt Disney Company legacy known around the world today.
Disney Institute offers leadership development through a time-tested approach that demonstrates the values and behaviors of exemplary leaders. Leaders who intentionally nurture an environment of mutual trust and respect find that they create stronger employee performance, exceptional customer service and ultimately greater business results. Connecting great leadership to improved performance is just one of the ways that Disney Institute helps organizations reimagine their results.
Brand equity is used to estimate the market and investment value of a corporate brand. A nonprofit brand --- the promise you make to others – also has philanthropic value. Understanding and protecting that value can help predict the fundraising success.
Description: How many Apps do you use on a daily basis? Does your organization have an App? Do you know that "App" is not in reference to a conversation about appetizers? It's time to get real about Apps! You will learn what is the latest in community based technology, and discuss how App technology will continue to shift and influence donor engagement and activity. We will conduct an analysis of the App marketplace, including a review and live demo of the Spark Community App. We will also be discussing how an App might help streamline your communication process with donors, while helping your Development Office understand what is motivating donors in your community.
Imagine being able to leave your organization knowing that its work is deeply valued and understood in your community. In the process it would also be financially self-sustaining. In this inspiring keynote, Terry Axelrod shares her wisdom and lessons learned from guiding nearly 5,000 nonprofit teams to bring about and sustain this most coveted culture shift.
This fast-paced session introduces you to a systematic model for building sustainable funding for your Catholic organization. Learn to leave a legacy of passionate lifelong individual donors as you tailor this evidence-based model to your organization. Participants are encouraged to bring other staff, board, and volunteers to engage them in this practical and effective approach.
In this Session, you will learn:
Inbound Marketing is a proven strategy for leveraging content to attract and convert strangers into donors and advocates for nonprofit organizations. This session will explore how Catholic organizations can utilize blogs, social media, and their websites to engage existing and new prospects with “share-worthy” content. Learn how to get others inspired by your mission through powerful stories and peer-promoted campaigns. Achieve an in-depth understanding of the 4-stages of Inbound Methodology for donor development, specifically focusing on attracting and connecting with new visitors.
Ongoing listening to stakeholder groups can increase donors, contributions, and volunteer involvement. Efforts at the Archdiocese of Boston will be presented, with emphasis on what has worked well and what challenges remain.
Objectives:Stewardship is defined as “the ongoing relationship with a donor based on mutual respect for both the source and impact of the gift.” It is the very essence of the fund development process. However, what does this mean to a donor? In the eyes of your congregation and in your community? How do you put good stewardship practices in place now so you will reap the rewards for years to come? This interactive session will walk development officers through the steps they need to create and enhance their stewardship programs.
ObjectivesWhere have we been -- where are we today -- and what’s next? This popular session from 2014 returns to continue the discussion. All past winners of NCDC’s George Holloway Award, the panelist share their thoughts and experiences building support for a wide range of nonprofits. These experts will discuss their successes and challenges, answer your questions, and take a stab at predicting the future of Catholic DR fundraising, in a free-form format.
Credit cards are probably the most expensive way to process a donation. And as transaction activity increases,"merchants", like you, are under fire. On one side, banks and credit card companies are shifting their security risk to organizations like yours. One the other side, you can expect even more threats from "carders" and hackers. To top it off, it's almost impossible to figure out how much it costs to process a donation. Understanding the issues and your riskis the first place to start.
ObjectivesAttendees will learn and be able to take with them a comprehensive understanding of integrated marketing, how to plan their program, choose which marketing segments fit their needs, timetables for executing each step, themes most likely to succeed and how to set up an evaluation program to monitor their successes.
This session will present some practical tips on hiring and working with a fund development consultant so that your organization can grow in its capacity to secure charitable gifts.
ObjectivesGrow Beyond – based on the popular series of articles in the Nonprofit Times, this highly interactive session will begin with the 5 most dangerous trends facing charities today and how to counter these trends with 13 proven strategies, which have been developed over the last 30 years.
If your organization’s revenue is flat or declining, you can’t afford to miss this session. If your charity is one of the fortunate few with income higher than the previous year, then come seeking to ensure you stay ahead of the negative trends facing our sector.
A small investment of time now will avoid a costly endeavor later. You owe it to yourself and to your charity . . . come and take part.
Interactive Session
How to effectively use social media and Facebook advertising to engage, excite, and expand your donor base. This session will examine the implementation of Facebook advertising and strategic social media tactics for the purposes of donor recruitment, engagement, retention, and giving.
ObjectivesThe top end of your file deserves the highest and best effort possible. At AKA we have worked closely with our clients over the past three decades perfecting techniques that increase the response rate and the average gift from the top end of your donor file. Maximizing the return on the investment to this critical segment of your file is a golden opportunity.
Objectives
Whether your role is to work with a development committee or a Board of Directors, you will face the challenge of members who expect you and your limited staff to raise all the money and implement all the programs. By creating effective relationships with key board members and introducing an active sub-structure in the form of committees or subcommittees, you will better partner with your dedicated volunteers. The result will improve efficiency in your donor relations and fundraising and satisfy your members' sense of stewardship to your organization.
Objectives17 Best Practices for Maximizing Gifts at that magical moment when donors are ready to give!
Your donor or prospective donor is about take that magical step: writing a check or making an online donation to your appeal. But are your reply forms and online donation pages working hard enough to make it easy for your donors to give and give generously? This fascinating session will be laser focused on the art and science of reply devices and online donation pages. Learn the best practices for reply forms: we’ll examine format, size, copy, design, and content. We’ll explore what to include on the front, what to include on the back, and what not to include. And most importantly, we’ll study gift array strategies: amounts, number of asks, order of asks, gift arrays for specific segments, gender based ask strategies, monthly giving asks and more. There has been tremendous testing in this area, with dramatic impact on results. Find out what works, and what doesn’t work, and how it can vary from program to program. This session will also include a rigorous review of online donation form best practices: static vs. variable gift arrays, leading with monthly giving asks vs. single gift asks, form design and content, what to ask donors upfront and what to avoid. Plus the latest lightbox designs and other new techniques that motivate donors to give – and give more.
ObjectivesThe terms swirl through the nonprofit ether…impact investing, venture philanthropy, venture funds, social bonds, MRIs, PRIs, nonprofit shark tanks. What are these mysterious new sources of nonprofit funding? Is all of this a good idea or a bad idea? How can you know? And what skills and relationships do fundraisers need to begin to bring innovation home to Catholic institutions?
The concierge at the Contemporary Resort is ready and at your service to help you make dining reservations, entertainment arrangements or to give guidance to how best to spend your evening. But here are some other quick, easy, and FREE ideas:
Hours: 10 a.m. -12 a.m.
World-class restaurants, dazzling entertainment and unique shops line the waterfront at the Downtown Disney area, a fun-filled district that includes The Landing, West Side and Marketplace! Here, you can shop in the world’s largest Disney store, dine amid prehistoric creatures, bowl a game at the 30-lane alley and so much more—over 80 venues and counting, featuring complimentary parking and admission.
Currently undergoing its largest improvement project ever, Downtown Disney will soon be known as Disney Springs.
FREE and easily accessible via direct bus from the Contemporary Resort.
Experience the timeless charm of Disney’s BoardWalk, a quarter-mile promenade of exquisite dining, unique shops and exciting nightlife. Stroll along the water’s edge, play afternoon midway games and discover evening street performers. Evoking turn-of-the-century boardwalks in such coastal cities as Coney Island and Atlantic City, Disney’s BoardWalk is a short stroll to Epcot and a breezy boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. FREE and easily accessible via bus from the Contemporary Resort.
Watch the Electrical Water Pageant
This floating parade is visible nightly, usually starting at 9:00, from Disney’s Magic Kingdom-area resort hotel docks and beaches. The pageant takes about an hour to move slowly around the lake, stopping at each resort in order: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and Contemporary. FREE.
As a Walt Disney World Resort guest, you are welcome to use complimentary Disney’s transportation. Ride the monorail to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom or to visit other resorts such as the Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian. Or take a boat ride directly from the dock at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to visit the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge hotel, or Ft. Wilderness campground. FREE and easily accessible from the Contemporary Resort.
Disney’s signature fireworks event over the castle at the Magic Kingdom. View the fireworks from the Contemporary, or visit the Polynesian or Grand Floridian resort beaches for another great view. FREE
Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can walk out to the viewing areas and see the exotic African animals roaming free. Note that the animals come out around dusk — you won’t see any during the day. (Please keep in mind that hotel guests’ rooms open right out onto the viewing areas, so quiet is very much appreciated.) FREE. Recommended transportation: walk to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom and take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Combining best practices, exploration of creative skills & techniques, and “what if” illustrations and scenarios, this session will encourage and motivate participants to meet more frequently with their prospects, develop deep and meaningful relationships with major gift donors, reconnect with the fulfilling aspects of their role, and raise more money for their organization’s mission.
We will look at the types of work we do, and question a lot of it. This is a session for those with an entrepreneurial spirit. And for those who lead or wish to lead a dynamic team. In 60 minutes, we will shake up our assumptions, look at the data to back up some theories, and plot a course to make sure we're always doing Work That Matters. And doing it on purpose!
Objectives
Rich Fox will show you step by step how to ensure your organization’s future by moving many of your donors to leave you a bequest.
Using his unique approach, he will outline what you will need to start a planned giving marketing program, how to target receptive donors, how to effectively communicate with them by mail and phone, and how to build a stronger relationship with them in order to maximize the size of the bequest that they will leave to you.
In this fast paced, fully interactive session, participants will see case studies showing how hugely successful this approach has been for other organizations (including Catholic), and learn how to have the same success themselves. If you are considering planned giving marketing, you won’t want to miss this special session.
Objectives:
1. To learn who to target for bequests
2. To learn how to effectively use direct mail and telephone to move many of your donors to leave you a bequest
3. To learn how to build relationships with your donors to maximize the size of the bequest they leave you
These days it seems like ‘grow’ is a four letter word when it comes to mature direct marketing fundraising programs. And this is a special challenge in the Catholic fundraising world. But there are ways the oldest and ‘flattest’ direct marketing program can become new and vibrant again – starting today. In this fast paced session you’ll see and hear how Catholic Extension has generated huge net revenue growth for their mature program by leveraging breakthrough strategies, insightful analytics, evolutionary testing and innovative creative approaches.
ObjectivesThis session will explore both the identification, cultivation and stewardship strategies of major donor and major donor prospects.
ObjectivesGrowing a successful strategic development operation requires maximizing the efforts of all who are involved in fundraising for your organization. This workshop covers what a successful development operation looks like including how much time should be spent on various activities such as fundraising appeals, grants, major gift development, communications, planned giving and management, the role of the board development committee and volunteers, and This session will guide you to:
There’s more to social media than just the ‘like!’ Content creation and incentivization is the first step, followed by social engagement… but then what? How is your Catholic organization encouraging its social followers to raise their hands and take the next step towards becoming engaged participants and key supporters? Join this session to hear actionable strategies for all phases of the social lifecycle, from producing highly sharable content and incentives, to measuring conversions from ‘like’/’follow’ to donor/volunteer, to driving strategy and making decisions based on social ROI.
Objectives
This session focuses on generating the Ultimate Gift of a Lifetime. For most Catholic donors, this is a bequest or other planned gift. It will address: Who makes these gifts, when decisions are made, what is an average gift and who tells you in advance, as well as why it is important to know. It will also explain how to ask, what types of marketing does and doesn't work and when you will actually get the money. Much about planned giving is counter-intuitive. This presentation is based on 50 years of proprietary research, facts and pragmatic experience from thousands of charities.
ObjectivesAn effective, integrated digital program enhances your fundraising and donor engagement. In this session, you’ll learn how to rise above the competition and increase overall donations and donor engagement through integrated email, Twitter, Facebook, other social media and digital tactics. You’ll leave with at least three new ideas you can implement right away.
In this session we plan to educate and collaborate with the audience on how to create a capitol campaign that integrates with their Catholic mission in a manner that both attracts and balances resources over time.
ObjectivesIn this session we will discuss the necessity of maintaining and growing the active donor file through new-name prospecting. Topics we will cover include: prospecting to obtain enough new donors to maintain or grow the size of the active file rather than to a budgeted dollar figure; using a formula to determine the number of new/reactivated names needed to maintain the size of the active file; suggestions to expand the universe of potential new donors (coops); suggestions to improve the functioning of the prospecting program (exchange optimization; list-specific modeling; limiting number of years names on file are suppressed for the merge-purge, etc.). Intended for organizations with a mature new-name prospecting program; boards and leadership of congregations that have a direct mail program.
Objectives
In this presentation, industry experts will present Donor Response Theory, which is a new framework for understanding the components of a successful development program. Using insights from Catholic anthropology and sociology as well as case studies from non-profit partners, session leaders will instruct participants about the components of Donor Response Theory, which is a method for increasing high-quality engagement with donors in order to build lasting relationships over time. Participants will see how this theory can shed light on the quality of all of their donor communications and interactions, from direct mail to planned giving.
ObjectivesThe field of development is facing unprecedented change and turnover. Catholic institutions are normally sheltered from a lot of the turbulence but this demographic shift is so large it's beginning to affect our sector too. The shift is leading to increased CEO/ED distrust in the development directors and never-been-seen-before levels of discontent with fundraisers.
In this session, Fundraising Coach Marc A. Pitman will facilitate a discussion around some of the key recommendations to stemming this tide and creating a more trusting and financially effective environment. Using the key findings of the UnderDeveloped study, he'll include discussions from a recent NCDC Leadership Summit, and his ongoing experience as a leadership coach.
You'll learn:
- Why CEO's don't normally have a clue about what the fundraisers are doing and why more fundraisers than ever are looking to leave their job
- A simple systems change that can smooth onboarding for both the CEO and the development staff
- How misperceptions about money -from you and your board- are negatively impacting your fundraising and how to change those
- And what our faith has to say about the great possibilities of fundraising that lie ahead of us!
Whether you’re a board member, an executive director, or a development director, you’ll leave this session inspired and equipped with concrete ideas you can immediately put into practice in your organization.
This session will focus on how to provide grant research, writing and finance skills for Catholic religious and lay missionaries in the developing world, with a secondary emphasis on skills for grantwriting in the US. The Missionary Oblate Partnership and Mission Project Service have developed a scaleable workshop format that is provided in several countries each year. Additionally, they publish a research and funding guide, AGENCIES FOR DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE, which is utilized by Catholic grantwriters in the US and representative countries in every Continent. Attendees to this session will learn the outline of the workshops, its component parts, and common problems (and solutions!) encountered by our brother and sister fundraisers in the developing world. Attendees will leave with information they can share with their colleagues and fellow religious,priests, brothers and laypersons addressing international project needs. www.oblatepartnership.org
ObjectivesCatholic Charities should be using analytics to better analyze marketing campaigns for better targeting. It's easier than you think. This involves using data charities have available today as well as other data and analytics, whether in-house or outsourced. Specific Catholic Charity examples will be discussed to show how effective and impactful analytics and data can have to improve results.
ObjectivesYour organization is just beginning their investment in digital fundraising – most of the work is being generated by ‘inside’ experts and mimicking what similar organizations are doing. You’ve seen some results but know they should be higher – more on line donations, testing audience messaging, growing your on line file. Where to start? Strategy, coordinated messaging, execution, testing, analysis – it’s all important.
Outcomes: This session will provide case study results and a deeper understanding of:
The typical planned gift is 200 to 300 times a donor’s largest annual gift. Planned giving is proactive and strategic. It sustains organizations over the long haul. Planned giving is where the real money is.
And yet, it’s the first thing fundraisers put on the back burner when other “urgent” stuff pops up. Everyone knows they need to do more with planned giving but can never seem to find the time or resources to start.
In this presentation, Viken shows you how to start. You’ll walk away with practical, simple tricks and tools you can implement right away to immediately invigorate your fundraising program. And you’ll begin to re-think the way you reach out to the people who support your organization.
All fundraisers, including well-seasoned gift planners, have a lot to gain from this presentation.1.Give people the confidence to start a planned giving conversation with anyone
2.Show people easy ways to raise more and larger gifts
3.Give them specific things to say to donors to get the visit, and have the conversationIt’s the point of everything we do as fund raisers. It’s also the most complex part of our jobs; and for some, it is the most anxiety-ridden. From acquisition to renewal, from involvement to cultivation, it all leads up to The Ask. What does it take to be successful? In this session, you will be taken quickly through the steps and strategy leading up to the moment. Then we will break down the key components of the best practices in Asking. There will be examples (both good and bad, anecdotal and live) to illustrate the principles and techniques of Asking for a Major Gift. Audience participation (questions and comments) is encouraged.
The concierge at the Contemporary Resort is ready and at your service to help you make dining reservations, entertainment arrangements or to give guidance to how best to spend your evening. But here are some other quick, easy, and FREE ideas:
Hours: 10 a.m. -12 a.m.
World-class restaurants, dazzling entertainment and unique shops line the waterfront at the Downtown Disney area, a fun-filled district that includes The Landing, West Side and Marketplace! Here, you can shop in the world’s largest Disney store, dine amid prehistoric creatures, bowl a game at the 30-lane alley and so much more—over 80 venues and counting, featuring complimentary parking and admission.
Currently undergoing its largest improvement project ever, Downtown Disney will soon be known as Disney Springs.
FREE and easily accessible via direct bus from the Contemporary Resort.
Experience the timeless charm of Disney’s BoardWalk, a quarter-mile promenade of exquisite dining, unique shops and exciting nightlife. Stroll along the water’s edge, play afternoon midway games and discover evening street performers. Evoking turn-of-the-century boardwalks in such coastal cities as Coney Island and Atlantic City, Disney’s BoardWalk is a short stroll to Epcot and a breezy boat ride to Disney’s Hollywood Studios. FREE and easily accessible via bus from the Contemporary Resort.
Watch the Electrical Water Pageant
This floating parade is visible nightly, usually starting at 9:00, from Disney’s Magic Kingdom-area resort hotel docks and beaches. The pageant takes about an hour to move slowly around the lake, stopping at each resort in order: Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge, Ft. Wilderness and Contemporary. FREE.
As a Walt Disney World Resort guest, you are welcome to use complimentary Disney’s transportation. Ride the monorail to Epcot or the Magic Kingdom or to visit other resorts such as the Polynesian Resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian. Or take a boat ride directly from the dock at Disney’s Contemporary Resort to visit the Magic Kingdom, Wilderness Lodge hotel, or Ft. Wilderness campground. FREE and easily accessible from the Contemporary Resort.
Disney’s signature fireworks event over the castle at the Magic Kingdom. View the fireworks from the Contemporary, or visit the Polynesian or Grand Floridian resort beaches for another great view. FREE
Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
At Animal Kingdom Lodge, you can walk out to the viewing areas and see the exotic African animals roaming free. Note that the animals come out around dusk — you won’t see any during the day. (Please keep in mind that hotel guests’ rooms open right out onto the viewing areas, so quiet is very much appreciated.) FREE. Recommended transportation: walk to the front gate of the Magic Kingdom and take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
How does your Catholic fundraising program stack up against others?
Return on Investment and Cost to Raise a Dollar are two important measurements of effectiveness of fundraising programs. Over the years, several surveys have confirmed that donors, especially major donors, consider how non-profits manage, use and invest their gifts to be among the top influences of their philanthropy. For religious congregations, many who have only ventured into professional development over the past 10 or 20 years, these measurements provide valuable insights and assurance that significant financial commitments to these programs are producing the results needed to support and advance mission and ministry.
As the leading Catholic Development Association in the U.S., NCDC is committed to setting the benchmarking standard for Catholic fundraising organizations. This panel discussion and presentation lays out a common standard that we can all use to compare the effectiveness of our development programs. A call to all NCDC Members, this presentation will show you how Return on Investment, Cost to Raise a Dollar, and Institutional Fundraising Value must become integral components of our institutional due diligence as a means to facilitate growth and mission-focused best practices throughout the industry.