I am excited to announce my appointment as Director of Development for Habitat of Humanity Norhern Virginia (Habitat NOVA).  

Founded in 1990, Habitat NOVA is an independently operated affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International.   Habitat NOVA is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia and  serves the counties of Arlington and Fairfax as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax and Falls Church. 

Habitat NOVA provides a “hand up” to home ownership through sweat equity, donor generosity, volunteer labor and interest-free mortgages.  
Since 1990, we have built or rehabilitated 92 homes and repaired 33 homes,

As Director of Development, I am looking forward to helping Habitat NOVA to provide affordable housing to deserving families here in my "backyard."   

Vision: 
A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

According to a Lakeland, FL 7th grader, "Philanthropy Knocks Out Human Suffering."   


The student's art work was on display at this year's International Fundraising Conference held in Baltimore, MD last week.  In so many ways that summed up the conference for me!

We were a gathering of 4,000 fundraisers, sharing camaraderie and best practices; achievements and challenges.  We celebrated and sometimes we commiserated!  But, overall we basked in the sunshine of being fundraisers.  

I've raised funds for great organizations and many deserving human beings by planning and executing a variety of events from galas  to  masquerade balls and golf tournaments to final four watch parties and.... also by simply asking folks to help others.  Being a fundraiser is amazing!  

Two highlights of this year's conference - the keynote speakers: Whoopi Goldberg and Seth Godin.
Whoopi talked about her quiet philanthropy like sending books to prisons and paying commuter tolls for strangers.  Seth wowed us with his high-energy motivational talk that covered topics from his best-selling books like Dip, Tribes and Purple Cow and urged us to personalize the asks we make of donors. 

I had the privilege of serving as a Presenter for the second year in a row.  My session was titled "Stewarding Events Donors from One Transaction to Major Engagement & Major Gifts."  

I am hoping that by sharing the insights I have gained over my  20+ year career, I can help fellow fundraisers knock out human suffering.  It really is why we do what we do.

As a consultant and up and coming adjunct professor, it's a blessing to be able to help more than one organization at a time.  

Can we help your organization steward event donors or execute an event that will raise more money for your mission or provide a coaching workshop for your organization's staff or Board members? 

I hope we can! It would be our privilege to do so!

The Financial Industries Dinner that benefits National Jewish Health (NJH) - the leading respiratory medical & research center in the country - continues to draw a great crowd and raise critical funds for NJH.  

The 2015 Financial Industries Dinner was once again a stellar affair.  While many events struggle and even disappear this dinner marked its 36th year in 2015; had 700 in attendance and raised more than $500,000.

It was a privilege to be invited to attend this year!

What do you think is the key to longevity for annual fundraisers?  

I know one organization that had been hosting a food industry golf tournament for 26 years.  A few industry changes in 2013 made for a smaller tournament in 2014 and that was it! After 26 years - Poof!  - It was gone!

I managed the National Jewish Health Financial Industries Dinner for five years from 2002 to 2007 then passed the baton in 2008 when I hired Mattie Shepheard.  I went on to work for them for another 4 1/2 years, running the East Coast Regional office.  All total I worked for them for nearly a decade.   

Not only does  NJH still has a special place in my heart but they imprinted me with a great event formula!  One that I encourage organizations to emulate if possible.  

Here are two things NJH does that keeps this dinner going - along with others dinners and events that they host across the country:

1. Strategic recruitment of the Honorees & Chairs
First they identify the REAL movers and shakers in the commercial finance industry to serve as honoree. Often the REAL influencers in an industry are not in the spotlight. Keeping in touch with the industry is important.  Second the Dinner Chair is recruited with the thought that he/she will likely be an honoree two years in the future.  Third Honorees are asked to become Trustees 2 years after they've been honored.  Do you see the trend?  It's a great pipeline, that also creates a group of industry experts that will help keep staff connected to the industry.  It's BRILLIANT!!!!

2. Sticking with a tried & true annual campaign timeline and dinner format
Year after year, it's the same formula.  ID the next year's honoree & the Chair at the current year's dinner.  Plan the Kick-off with a fundraising goal of about 30%.  Recruit the remaining committee based on their commitment level.  Look to the honoree and the Chair to call on their industry colleagues.  Retain previous donors and participants.  (Their retention rate from year-to-year is incredible.)  And the dinner format has been the same for so many years.... a long cocktail hour to maximize networking and a very short speaking program during dinner.

With so many successful years under their belt, NJH's Financial Industries Dinner is considered a "must-attend" industry event.  I know most nonprofits wish they could boast about their annual gala or awards dinner that way.

What are your thoughts regarding event longevity?