2012 NDOA Winter Conference

Keynote Speaker: Penelope Burk

Penelope Burk has over forty years of experience in not-for-profit management, fundraising, and research. A native of Montreal, Canada, Penelope began her professional career in market research, public relations and fundraising, becoming known as a “turn-around specialist” who advocated innovative solutions to improve revenue and institutional performance.

Penelope and her company, Cygnus Applied Research, Inc., are known for their leading-edge research with donors and their skill in helping clients adapt their fundraising operations to reflect donors’ changing needs and preferences.

Penelope’s innovative work, her advocacy for donors, and her passion for the philanthropic spirit led, in 2003, to the publication of her second book, Donor-Centered Fundraising. This best-selling text established her as the industry's foremost authority on fundraising research, training and strategic planning based on the principles of Donor-Centered Fundraising. The book is the only statistically-based research ever published on the effect of meaningful communication on donor retention and gift value.

Today, Penelope Burk is a highly sought-after presenter and researcher whose training sessions and forums are widely acclaimed as unique, engaging and among the most effective in the third sector. In addition to two books and a series of national research studies on donor behavior, she is also the author of more than sixty seminars, training programs, and dramatic plays, all written specifically for not-for-profit organizations. Penelope is currently writing her third book, Donor-Centered Leadership, on how to build and sustain a high
performance fundraising team.
 
Donor-Centered Fundraising
Donor-Centered Fundraising is the breakthrough concept in fundraising and communication that halts donor attrition while setting a new standard for fundraising success.  Based on over 7 years of research with hundreds of charities and donors from across North America, the findings have produced critically important information for charities and fundraisers about why donors stop giving or give less than they could and how retention and average gift value can be dramatically improved.

Penelope will be available for a book-signing immediately following her keynote presentation.

Session Descriptions

7:00 - 8:15 AM: SPECIAL PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION

WHERE PHILANTHROPY IS HEADED IN THIS AGE OF ANXIETY
...advice from thousands of donors in the 2011 Cygnus Donor Survey

This session will be limited to 50 attendees, so register for the conference early to reserve your spot! Registration fee: $50 Members / $75 Non-members. Continental breakfast will be served. Not an NDOA Member? Join Now!

In a rapidly evolving world, fundraising cannot shield itself from change. But making the right choices when resources are so limited and competition so fierce is the challenge that every not-for‐profit faces. Luckily, your donors can point you in the right direction.

Join author, speaker and fundraising futurist, Penelope Burk, as she unveils brand new research conducted earlier this year with thousands of American donors about what they want from their philanthropic relationships in 2011, what it will mean for your bottom line, and how you can help your organization get out in front of the trends.

AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
A program specifically designed for Development Directors, in this session delegates will learn:
•    how the recession has motivated donors to make permanent changes in how they give and what that means for you;
•    which fundraising methods are gaining and losing popularity with donors and how to shift budget resources to maximize profit;
•    where to focus your scarce communications budget to maximize donor retention;
•    how to position your not‐for‐profit to win the biggest gifts of all.

10:00 - 11:15 AM: ACCESS TO EXPERIENCE

Penelope Burk will lead a special Access to Experience session geared towards experienced fundraising professionals. You will have the opportunity to submit questions via email that you would like Penelope to address prior to the conference. This session will be limited to 30 attendees, so register for the conference early to reserve your spot! Registration fee: $50 Members / $75 Non-members. Not an NDOA Member? Join Now!