Thursday, September 20, 2018

Apra-Great Plains 2018 Fall Conference


The regional APRA conferences are a great way to learn and network for a very reasonable cost.  Kudos to our friends at APRA-Great Plains for offering some great sessions for $60 total! 

“Corporations and Foundations”                                                                                                                                                                                             
Friday, October 26th, 2018
Location: Morrison Stadium
1804 California Street, Omaha, NE 68102
Time: 10a.m. - 4p.m.

Please join us in thanking RelSci for their generous conference sponsorship!

Overview of Sessions:
Brokering Connections: How Behind-the-Scenes Resources Lead to Frontline Giving
Andy Kammerer, Senior Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Creighton University
Dustin Mass, Prospect Development Specialist at Creighton University

When it comes to prospecting new major gifts, collaboration across divisions and departments is essential. This session will map how to capitalize on all institution resources—relationships fostered by Trustees, hidden gems discovered by Sponsored Programs and enthusiastic alumni cultivated by the Career Center. Learn how to integrate prospect researchers as project stakeholders and faculty members as full fundraising partners. Develop your CFR and Frontline Development programs by breaking down silos, increasing grant success rates and sowing strategies for growth.

Shedding Light on Corporate Research
Tessa Fjelland, Associate Director of Research Strategies at Iowa State University Foundation

Conducting research on corporations as prospects is not always a daily activity for prospect researchers. Confusing company structures, revolving executive champions, and nuanced development strategy makes corporate prospecting unique, and can lead to a 'blind spot' in the capabilities of many research shops. In this presentation, Tessa Fjelland from Iowa State University will cover commonly used resources, as well as her experience determining corporate prospect status. She will also share practices for providing support for an introductory call, 'ask size' research, and presidential/leadership briefing.

Lean Prospect Management for Small Development Offices: Simple Tools for Foundation Research and Cultivation
Charlie Olsen, Director of Donor Relations at the NorthStar Foundation

For development officers serving in smaller nonprofit settings, prospect research often represents only one of the many fundraising disciplines that fall within the ambit of their core position duties. Further, when compared to other essential fundraising duties –for example, major gift planning, proposal writing and development, event management, etc.— prospect research can be perceived as too technical and time-intensive to warrant meaningful attention and investment at the small development office. This presentation, offers a few simple low-cost tools and techniques, drawing on Lean principles in process optimization, for improving Corporate and Foundation donor research and management.

Investing in Community Organizations: Leveraging Cross Sector Relationships to Make the Best Appeal to Corporations and Foundations
Eric Crawford, CEO at Heart Ministry Center
Community organizations require cross sector comradery in building and supporting various initiatives to problem solve, fundraise and achieve shared goals. For over 40 years, the Heart Ministry Center in Omaha has provided basic needs in a personal and dignified manner to members of the community. Last year alone, the Heart Ministry Center provided services to roughly 8,000 people each month through their food pantry, the Porto Medical Clinic, the Gary L. Maag Dental Clinic, the Fresh Start job training and placement program, and through their extensive social work program. Each year, they also manage hundreds of community volunteers who help serve their clients. Currently in the silent phase of a capital campaign, the Heart Ministry Center facilitates alliances and pulls together various constituencies to continue garnering support for their cause and their community. In this session, attendees will hear how Eric Crawford, CEO of the Heart Ministry, manages key relationships to raise funds from corporations and foundations to create meaningful impact for those in need.

Hot Topic Discussion
Outside of the normal conference presentations, we want to give attendees more time to network. We have set aside time for Hot Topics during the conference for attendees to discuss questions or issues they are facing in their everyday work. Please bring any questions you have for the group or submit in the registration form. It does not have to focus on corporate/foundation relations; this is time set aside for you to utilize the expertise of your fellow members!

Conference Registration:
Please fill out the registration form and select your payment option below.

Registration Fees
Member fee                                                    $40
Non-member fee                                           $60
Non-member fee with new membership  $75

After registering, please pay online with PayPal via our website!

If you need to pay by check, please contact Lisa Hukill.
Registration will close Monday, October 22nd 

Directions:

Parking:
Morrison Stadium is located on the southeast side of campus (#53 on Creighton University Campus Map).  There is a parking lot directly south of the stadium.  Parking Map (#75)

Happy Hour (Friday, October 26th):
Join us after the conference at The Session Room for happy hour.
812 N 14th Street
Omaha, NE 68102

Thursday, October 25th Dinner:
3910 Harney Street
Omaha, NE 68131

Recommended Hotel:
Rooms are available at the Hampton Inn & Suites Omaha-Downtown.  The rate is $120 a night (available Thursday and Friday night).  Please indicate on the registration form if you need a hotel room and we will reserve the room on your behalf.  You will pay for the room once you arrive at the hotel.  The Hampton Inn has complimentary breakfast. Remember to bring your tax-exempt forms.

Apra-Great Plains Board of Directors
Sarah Clough, President
Lisa Hukill, Treasurer
Alyssa Norman, Education Co-Chair and Incoming President
Kelsey Parman, Communications Chair
Hilary Hoffman, Education Co-Chair
Lori Wellman, Membership Chair