YELLOW LEVEL SESSIONS offer more advanced instruction for those with several years of fundraising experience, looking to enhance specific skills and knowledge.

  RED LEVEL SESSIONS are for professionals at a senior level.They are an excellent forum for seasoned fundraisers.

CFRE Accreditation

Participation in Fundraising day qualifies for 5.0 points toward CFRE education requirements.

9.00 a.m. - 10.30 a.m. Sessions

 1.1. Small Shop Institute Part I (All Morning Session) 

Pati Greenwood, CFRE, Pathways to Education Canada

Emma Lewzey, CFRE, The Redwood

Donna Raetsen-Kemp, Station Gallery 

 

Fundraisers in small shops are sometimes referred to as the "Jack of all trades" – development experts who can do it all! Needless to say, this can pose some interesting challenges and opportunities. How do you manage competing demands and expectations? How to you prioritize your donor and prospecting activities? What are some of the best practices in small shop fundraising? Join this interactive two-part session focused on specific issues, themes and strategies for small shop fundraisers. 

 

Learning Objectives:

• Review key fundraising strategies and techniques for small shops
• Develop a toolkit to help you manage your time, priorities and fundraising goals
• Share your experiences with other small shop fundraisers, and learn about the best ways to juggle all the balls, all the time

 1.2. Philanthropy 101: The Nuts and Bolts of Fundraising

Suzanne Duncan, CFRE, The Woodgreen Foundation

This session provides an overview of the basic techniques, trends, and best practices in fundraising. Tailored for newcomers to the field or for people who would like a general primer on charitable giving, this session will cover a wide range of topics based on new research, best practices, and tried, tested and true giving models and approaches.

Learning Objectives:

• Become familiar with the key terminology and basic concepts in fundraising
• Understand new patterns and trends that are informing fundraising practices in Canada

 1.3. Win-Win Relationships with Key Volunteers

Wendy Cecil, St. Michael's Hospital Foundation

Alayne Metrick, FAHP, St. Michael's Hospital Foundation  

 

Alayne and Wendy will share their secrets to a successful and mutually beneficial working relationship. In this interactive session, you will get the answers to the following:

 

• How do you work with a key volunteer who is also a key donor
• How do you keep key individuals motivated so that they wish to stay involved with your organization
• How to manage your time and their time when they are committed to more than one organization

Learning Objectives:

• How to work with, motivate, influence and manage time with key volunteers
• How to make certain that the experience is beneficial for both the organization and the individual, so that they choose to stay involved

 1.4. Major Gift Fundraising: How to Make the Ask and How to be Ready for Any Situation

Harold Heft, Ph.D., Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation

As much as any fundraiser may prepare for a major gift solicitation, the truth is that no two donors are the same and no two solicitations will evolve in the same way. This interactive session will explore the different methodologies that a major gift officer can employ to ensure that they are prepared for any complexity and, wherever possible, ensure that their ask is successful.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Develop an understanding of the many different ways in which a major gift solicitation can evolve
• Learn some techniques to best engage donor prospects and be best prepared for any situation that may arise as a major gift solicitation evolves
• Participate in some exercises designed to challenge fundraisers to think through standard and complex situations that may arise over the course of a major gift solicitation

 1.5. Toronto’s Cultural Renaissance – Insights and Afterthoughts From its Leaders                                      

Rob Lamb, Canadian Opera Company     

Shawn St. Michael, Art Gallery of Ontario

Florence Minz, The Royal Conservatory of Music

Megan Campbell, CFRE, The Royal Conservatory of Music (moderator)

 

In the past decade, eight major projects have transformed Toronto’s cultural landscape forever. Our panel features leaders who saw a few of those initiatives from vision to reality. In this session, you will hear why Toronto’s cultural renaissance matters and how it is valued beyond the obvious benefit to the institutions themselves. The panelists will speak about their work to craft the vision for their organizations and engage leaders, donors and new audiences. Crucial topics will be explored such as the contribution to city-building, public funding, expanding the philanthropic base, developing new audiences, and the emergence of new philanthropists. Can the potential be realized? And has there been a sustainable public response to these transformations?

 

Learning Objectives:

  

• Develop an awareness of the effect of Toronto’s cultural renaissance beyond the institutions themselves
• Learn about strategies for new volunteer and prospect engagement in major capital initiatives

 1.6. Fundraising Locally, Nationally, Internationally

Sharon Avery, UNICEF Canada

 

The world is a global village. Many charities are expanding fundraising beyond their own locality and national borders as philanthropy thrives in a global setting. Sharon Avery, Chief Development Officer at UNICEF, Canada one of the world's leading global charities, shares her unique perspective on the opportunities and challenges, of fundraising locally, nationally and internationally.

 

Learning Objectives:

 

• Gain insight into UNICEF’s experience in raising funds from around the world to support children impacted by the earthquake in Haiti
• Learn how local charities can use their profile to attract donations from outside their present borders

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Sessions 

 2.1. Social Inclusion in Fundraising: Building a Common Language

Rahul Bhardwaj LL.B., Toronto Community Foundation 

 

As one of the most diverse cities in the world, Toronto is a great place to explore issues of equity, social inclusion, and diversity. But what do these terms really mean and why are they important for our work as fundraising professionals? Drawing on recent research and demographic data, Rahul Bhardwaj, President and CEO of the Toronto Community Foundation, will lead a discussion about the ever-changing face of Toronto and the impact it will have on non-profits and charities.

 

Learning Outcomes:

• Explore the latest information about Toronto’s demographics, emerging needs and areas for future expansion
• Understand what diversity and social inclusion mean, and why they are important for cities
• Begin building a toolkit for recognizing, celebrating and incorporating diversity in your organization

 

 2.2. Selling the Dream, Not the Product: Gift Planning-Different Structures to Meet Your Organization's Need

 

Michelle Osborne, University of Toronto

Lucia Stephenson, United Way Toronto

 

Hear two experts, with their differing experiences in the field of Gift Planning speak about how their organizations both achieve success,  University of Toronto’s Michelle Osborne and Lucia Stephenson from United Way Toronto work with organizations that have different structures—yet both share the same philosophies and take a donor centered approach to gift planning.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand  what opportunities exist in the gift planning field and what will ground your program
• Learn from case studies what you need to do to make this part of your fundraising program
• Gain a better  understanding of how you can incorporate a gift planning program that reflects the needs of your organization 

 2.3. "What Percentage of My Donation Will go to the Cause?"  

Heather Hurst, West Park Healthcare Centre Foundation          

Mary Koutsoubos, Soulpepper Theatre Company

Ken Mayhew, MS Society of Canada

Captain John Murray, The Salvation Army

Nicole Nakoneshny, KCI (Ketchum Canada Inc.) (moderator)

KCI has recently undertaken an in-depth review of the subject

of cost of fundraising and in this session, you will learn the results of their research. This is probably the most common question faced by charitable organizations engaged in fundraising.  Coming from a place of good intentions, it reflects donors’ desires that their charitable contributions be used in the best way possible to achieve their philanthropic objectives.  And for better or worse, this question has become synonymous with how a “good” charity is defined.

 

Learning Objectives:  

• Hear the latest research about Canadians’ attitudes toward fundraising costs and discover the factors that contribute to their creation
• Learn how to manage board expectations as well as how best to use the cost per dollar raised metric as a measure of organizational performance
• Discover tips and strategies for communicating your cost of fundraising with donors and volunteers  

 2.4. Women and Philanthropy

Margot Franssen, Canadian Women's Foundation

Kelly Meighen, T.R. Meighen Family Foundation

Mary Tidlund, Mary A. Tidlund Charitable Foundation

Avon MacFarlane, The Offord Group (moderator) 

This session welcomes a panel of women philanthropists who have, for many years, had significant and positive impact on the charitable sector. Today, more women have been making their own decisions around leadership philanthropy – both in their giving and volunteering. As donors and volunteers, women behave differently than men, and because of demographic shifts over the past 30 years, women earn more or have access to more wealth now than ever before. 

 

Learning Objectives:

• Secure an understanding of the unique characteristics women bring to philanthropy
• Learn demographic and psychographic features of female donors in North America
• Gain first-hand knowledge from Canadian women donors who are actively providing leadership in philanthropy

 2.5. Creating Value for Your Corporate Partners

Jennifer Kirner, TELUS

Victoria Littler, Royal Ontario Museum Governors

Sandra Palmaro, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation - Ontario Region

Mark Rittinger, Schulich School of Business, York University

Monique Giroux, CIBC (moderator) 

A panel of experts in the field of community investment  will explore what sponsors value including media, employee engagement and marketing benefits, reporting, client hospitality, behind the scenes tours/opportunities, information exchanges and creative recognition.

 

Learning Objectives: 

• Engage with leaders in community investment to understand how to create a true partnership with corporations
• Learn how to develop long lasting relationships with corporate partners that are deep and mutually rewarding
• Understand the best practices that sponsors value

2:15 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Sessions

 3.1. Change Within Organizations: Moving from Wish to Reality

Gerald Hunt, Ph.D., Ryerson University  

This workshop will draw on a theoretical model of organizational change to help illustrate the steps that are necessary for achieving lasting and successful change programs in organizations.

Learning Objectives: 

• Understand when and why organizational change is necessary
• Learn how to plan and implement change programs effectively
• Learn how to overcome resistance to change initiatives

 3.2. The Annual Fund and Direct Mail Workshop

Chris Carter, Chris Carter Marketing

Annual fund programs fuel sustained fundraising success. Participants will learn how to prepare, build and launch the annual program from first steps to initial planning, testing, rollout, results analysis and benchmarking. Participants will explore opportunities in social marketing using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to update the program. You will also pick up ideas for integrating the program with your organization’s overall marketing plan. Participant's annual program challenges will be explored to help you blast your way to a new orbit.

Learning Outcomes: 

• Learn to plan a successful annual program tailored to the organization’s unique needs
• Understand how to leverage the opportunities offered by social marketing techniques 

 3.3. Intergenerational Fundraising: Appealing to the Hearts and Minds of Familial Philanthropists

Suzanne Ivey Cook, The Ivey Foundation

Marvi Ricker, BMO Harris Private Banking   

Allison Howell Quinton, United Way Toronto (moderator)

 

As charitable fundraisers we spend considerable time seeking grants from individual donors and family foundations. This interactive session will give you access to the experts who advise and make grants on behalf of private foundations. As a leading philanthropic advisor, Marvi will provide an overview of how and why families set up private foundations, and examine generational differences in families of donors. As a long-time philanthropist and Vice-Chair of one of Canada’s most established family foundations, Suzanne will offer her experience with the Ivey Foundation as a case study in the evolution of a multi-generational family foundation.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Understand why and how families set up foundations as vehicles for giving
• Recognize differences in generational values, characteristics and motivations - and how this impacts giving
• Stewardship issues for multi-generational families of donors
• Be more effective in working with private foundations 

 3.4. Secrets to Organizational Sustainability: Monthly Giving, Face-to-Face and Cutting Edge Stewardship Programs

Bryan McKinnon, Public Outreach 

Recruiting a new donor is not just about getting the first donation, but about starting a relationship that will benefit both the donor and the charity over many years. As charities see changes in the demographics of their donor base and the success of annual mail and telephone fundraising programs declines, face to face has emerged as the most reliable prospecting method for new monthly donors. But acquiring donors is not enough in today’s market, investing in analysis and innovative stewardship practices ultimately build greater satisfaction for your donors and result in more money for your cause.  

 

Learning Objectives:

 

• Key principles for a strong monthly giving program
• How to encourage board and leadership investment in monthly giving & stewardship
• Ways to further engage with monthly donors once they are recruited

  

 3.5. Valuing Donor Privacy and Confidentiality

 

Tad Brown, LL.B., University of Toronto

  

Why do charities need to value donor privacy and confidentiality? What are some of the best ways you can protect your donors’ information and interests? Drawing on examples from the University of Toronto, this interactive session led by Tad Brown will highlight several best practices in ensuring your donors privacy is safe and secure.

 

Learning Objectives:

 

• Understand why donor privacy and confidentiality is important for your organization
• Learn tips and techniques for implementing a privacy policy that serves your organization well and builds donor confidence and trust

 

 3.6. Measuring Return on Social Investing 

Greg Thomson, MBA, Charity Intelligence Canada

 

More and more donors are thinking of their giving in terms of “investing” in their cause, community, or country.  This session will examine some of the ways that donors are, or should be, thinking about measuring the returns that are achieved by investing in charities and other social enterprises.  With real examples from Charity Intelligence, this active session will help fundraisers establish new ways of thinking about their organizations with respect to measuring their performance.

 

Learning Objectives: 

• Achieve a greater understanding of what return on social investing is
• Learn what social investing means to Canadian donors
• Understand the new methods and tools used to evaluate the Effectiveness and Efficiency of charities 

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sessions

 4.1. Free Help: How to Motivate, Recruit and Retain the Best Volunteers Out There

Ruth MacKenzie, Volunteer Canada  

Never managed volunteers before? Are you overwhelmed by the number of people offering to help but do not know what to do with them? Is there room for improvement in your volunteer program? Ruth MacKenzie, President of Volunteer Canada will take participants through current trends and best practices in volunteer recruitment and retention, offering guidance on how to create and manage a successful volunteer program. Understand what today’s volunteer is looking for and how staff-volunteer relations are pivotal to program success.

  

Learning Objectives:

• Apply the Canadian Code for Volunteer Involvement and understand volunteer screening
• Create effective volunteer job descriptions
• Evaluate your organization’s volunteer program
• Develop a volunteer recognition program 

 4.2. Special Events 101

 

Denny Young, MA, CFRE, Toronto Symphony Orchestra 

 

In this entertaining and informative session, Denny Young will help you to identify your target audiences and then create events that enhance your short and long-term development goals. You will learn how events can: attract new supporters, deepen the commitment of existing donors, involve volunteer leadership and program staff, and build passionate and high-functioning committees.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Develop events that raise money, build profile, and deepen the commitment of your supporters
• Create events that fit your mission and build your unique brand
• Maximize connections with guests – use events to create long-term, ongoing donor relationships
• Make events an integrated player in your development program –positively impacting on everything , including annual campaigns, major and legacy giving, and leadership recruitment

 4.3. Building Your Career by Staying Put

Sherri Freedman, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation 

Some people believe that building a career in fundraising involves moving from organization to organization.  Participate in this interactive session which will outline the benefits of “staying put” and growing within an organization. 

Learning Objectives:

• Gain tips and tools for developing your own career path
• Discuss ways that management can create a culture that fosters retention
• Learn to identify the signs that tell you when it really is time to make a change

   

 4.4. Going Digital: Online Fundraising in the New Technology Age

Mike Fuhrmann, United Way Toronto

Taslim Somani, Stephen Thomas Ltd.

 

Drawing on case studies from the field, our new technology fundraising experts will show you how you can use new media to attract new audiences and advance your cause through exciting online channels.

Learning Objectives: 

• Hear specific examples of successful online fundraising campaigns, and the key components that catapulted them to success
• Learn how to find new audiences online and engage your existing donors in an exciting new way
• Discover tips and strategies for communicating online in a relevant and valuable way 

 4.5. One-on-One with a Donor: How an Idea Became a Reality

Paul Alofs, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

Emmanuelle Gattuso, The Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation

Paul Alofs, President and CEO of The Princess Margaret Foundation and Emmanuelle Gattuso, major donor to the Gattuso Rapid Diagnostic Clinic will engage in a conversation that will elicit the motivation behind Emmanuelle Gattuso’s gift and how she became involved with the Foundation. This session will provide a lively and interesting discussion on how to keep major donors engaged.  For more information visit www.onedaypmh.ca

 

Learning objectives:

• Learn about motivating donors
• Learn about the importance of listening
• Hear about great stewardship 

 4.6. DiverseCity on Board

 

Marilyn Emery, Women's College Hospital

Frances Lankin, United Way Toronto

Ratna Omidvar, Maytree Foundation

Barbara Track, CFRE, Woodsworth College, University of Toronto (moderator)

The Toronto area is one of the most diverse regions in the world, with a thriving not-for- profit sector that values inclusion.  However, ethnically diverse people have been underrepresented on the boards of many not-for-profit organizations.  Through its unique DiverseCity on Board program, The Maytree Foundation connects qualified candidates with governance positions in public sector agencies, boards, commissions and non-profit organizations across the GTA.  Since its launch, the DiverseCity on Board program has successfully facilitated over 300 appointments to boards in the GTA.

 

Ratna Omidvar, President of Maytree Foundation, will share some of the factors that have led to the unprecedented success of this pioneering program.  Marilyn Emery, President and CEO, Women’s College Hospital and Frances Lankin, President and CEO, United Way of Greater Toronto will talk about how they have used the program to enhance their respective organizations. 

 

Learning Objectives:

• Hear successful strategies and ideas for developing a successful diversity program
• Learn practical steps you can take to implement a strong diversity strategy within your own organization