Director’s Message

As of July 4, 2018

The PSI 2018 conference is over, and according to feedback we’ve received, it was both a profitable and pleasant time. We hope you enjoyed receiving the daily e-mails and in the near future we will have photos and presentation slides on the PSI website. Our sincere thanks to the planning committee, many of whom also served as volunteers, and our outstanding speakers!! And special accolades to Randy Fox, who headed the effort and spent many sleepless nights ensuring the conference would be a success. Our planning committee and on-site volunteers were David Burghart (chair), Wally Amundson, Janice Da Silva, Becky Becker, Breanna Bork, Carol Bradfield, Alphonce Brown, David Colwell, Nancy Gerard, Charlotte Henderson, John Huynh, Chris LeBrun, Andrew Lay, Ronnie Mills, Rob Raney, Audie Robinson, Kara Turpen, and Janel Ware. Additional planning committee members whom we also thank were David Faehner, Lou Gehring,  Volodymyr Grenchenko, Sharon Heinrich, Rick Remmers, Nik Satelmajer, Hal Thomsen, Kenny Turpen, and Darren Wilkins.

At the conference we exhibited an array of books, which many enjoyed reviewing and borrowing. PSI has an extensive library, including a special collection of leadership books, and we’re happy to lend these to you upon request. We try to keep the collection up to date while at the same time share timeless volumes and historic texts.

We’re very pleased to welcome our newest staff member, Joel Nuthalapati! (include photo, get paragraph bio).

The article in this link might be of interest to you. It mentions Giving USA and religious giving.  A growing social movement is trying to bring scientific rigor to philanthropy. Click to read: Can “effective altruism” maximise the bang for each charitable buck?

Another article worth noting is in the AFP eWire, Vol. 18, Num. 23, June 6, 2018, “Sluggish First Quarter Raises Concerns for Year-Long Giving Outlook.” The results are based on the noteworthy Fundraising Effectiveness Project of which PSI is a part. If you can’t access it, write me.

If you’re ever concerned about how to accomplish a face-to-face funding request, look up this article in the Chronicle of Philanthropy, “What You Should and Shouldn’t Do When Meeting With a Donor,” in the April, 2018 issue. Again, if you can’t access this valuable piece of information, write me.

We were pleased to pick up some new schools for the PSI Model for Academy Philanthropy (MAP) program. If you know of an academy or K-12 school that’s interested, please refer them to our website: Model for Academy Philanthropy.

Happy Fourth of July! As a refugee and immigrant, I’m particularly fond of this special holiday and wish each of our readers a pleasant and thoughtful celebration.

Until next time!

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

For archived messages click here.

First and foremost, of course, is one more reminder of our upcoming PSI conference, June 26-29.  You’ll find all the information you need on our website, but of course, write or call us at any time.

An interesting issue that surfaces from time to time, with fair regularity is the old idea that “if every person gives $100, and we have 250 members or friends, just think how much money we can raise!”  I heard about this twice last week.  I’m sure if you’re reading this you know this strategy was debunked as long as as in the sixties, when experts began writing professional books about fundraising as a formalized and organized activity, but perhaps others around you will urge you to think of this idea.  It doesn’t work, for both practical and human nature reasons.  Just fyi!

Early in 2018 the Giving USA annual survey of state laws was issued.  This is important information for us to know so that we’re all in compliance with what our individual states require.  If you’re not aware of this, write me.

Donor-Advised Funds are becoming more and more prevalent as a way for major donors to give.  The director of The Fund Raising School, Bill Stanczykiewicz, will be presenting a live webinar on the topic on August 1.  I also save the best articles and advice on this topic, so if you need some information, especially on how to access such funds, write me and I’ll forward either copies or links.

Speaking of webinars, check out the ones we have on our website, presented by top senior professionals in our field.  Mark Lindemann is continually adding to this set, which eventually will consist of  a full complement that matches our general version of our handbook, Successful Fundraising.  Just as a reminder, we have four versions of this handbook, the second revision of the original one designed for churches and church-related organizations, a Canadian version, and one in Spanish.

An informative article based on new research appeared in the Daily Update of the Chronicle of Philanthropy, April 17, 2018, “$9 Trillion Will Transfer From Americans’ Estates, New Analysis Says,” by Heather Joslyn.  It’s a good reminder of the mutual benefits to the donor and the organization regarding planned gifts, and how there is much room for growth in that area.

A personal note—I will be traveling for work in Central Asia from May 25 to June 8 and will be a bit slower in responding or sending news, but do keep in touch whenever you need to or wish to.  Until next time!

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

For archived messages click here.

• ATTENTION!! Important opportunity!
• Remember that Awards will be given in recognition for outstanding service, volunteerism and generosity in K-12 education, higher education, healthcare, and supporting ministries at the PSI conference in late June. Submit your nominations NOW for someone who has volunteered or given to your organization. See PSI’s website for forms.
• WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU AND RECEIVING YOUR NOMINATIONS!

Just want to remind you of two special services PSI can offer through its staff or experienced consultants which may be valuable to your operation.  First is planning assistance; we can come on-site and train, sit down with you and help you with your plan, or provide you with materials.  Second is an assessment, a procedure that is positive and not punitive, and frequently provides substantive information on what’s what, how can fundraising be improved, and what recommendations can be made from a professional viewpoint.  Just contact us.

Which reminds me—don’t forget our excellent library with timeless and up-to-date books that you can check out!

We just held a webinar on corporate giving, including in-kind gifts.  An upcoming webinar will be on Donor-Advised Funds, given by Bill Stanczykiewicz, Director of The Fund Raising School, which many of you have attended, at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.  This will be on August 1.  Watch for further notice!

Wealth Engine just produced a 2018 U.S. Millionaire Report, which you can download from their website, https://www.wealthengine.com/.  Also, an interesting article appeared in The Chronicle of Philanthropy Daily Update, Chronicle of Philanthropy Daily Update, April 10, 2018, “’Modern Donors’ Are Changing How Charities Should Raise Money,” by Nicole Wallace.  If you don’t get the Chronicle, ask us for a copy of this article.

Until next time, which is approximately in two weeks!  See you by e-mail as well (we are now sending these News and Notes by e-mail to our constituents).  Remember to nominate someone worthy for an award and honor that person as well as your own organization!

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

For archived messages click here.

Do you wish to honor someone who has helped you with your fundraising and therefore your organizational development? Now is the time!! Please notice on our website, upper right-hand corner, the notice about the PSI awards. Several are awarded each time PSI has a conference, and the list of illustrious recipients of the past is something the NAD organizations can be proud of. Nominate someone to join that list.  If you need help or information, contact me.

At the same time, see the PSI conference notice right below the awards information box. We’re getting close to this special event. Randy Fox, the planning committee chaired by David Burghart, Lorena Hernandez and other PSI staff have been working hard to provide you with a valuable and memorable experience. You will learn a lot when you attend, but will also enjoy networking and leisure activities. Register now!

The Education Department of the NAD is planning for a convention in August, and PSI has been invited to present on relevant topics. It will also be a good time to connect with PSI staff, ask questions, have one-on-one or small group meetings, and to see how fundraising fits, or should fit, into the entire organizational context. We urge you to invite your colleagues from educational institutions, and we look forward to seeing you there.

We’re sorry to lose one of our fundraisers. Patrice Hieb recently passed away and a memorial service was held at Southern Adventist University on April 7. Patrice worked at SAU and also helped some other organizations.  Our condolences to family and friends, and we have good memories of having her in our ranks.

A very valuable resource is the Philanthropic Landscape Report 2017 issued by the consulting firm, CCS. It can be found here:  info@ccsfundraising.com.

Do you know what motivates major donors to give to your cause? An article in the Daily Update of the Chronicle of Philanthropy (March 26, 2018) offered some research insights.  Among these were:

• More than half the pledgers expressed gratitude for the good fortune they’ve experienced.
• Twenty percent of the statements said the example set by their parents inspired them to also give to charity.
• One in three statements cited joy and happiness as a motivation for philanthropy. Only one statement out of all 155 mentioned tax incentives.

Look up the article and if you don’t get the Chronicle, we can share more information about the contents.  Sometimes we put too much emphasis on major donors and forget the mid-level and small donors, but we also don’t always understand how to best interact with those who can offer us the largest gifts.

Remember to nominate someone for a PSI award—it will mean a lot to that person or donor!

Until next time,

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

For archived messages click here.

Thank you to those of you who responded to PSI’s communications survey. We’re pleased that a significant number of you said you appreciate receiving items from PSI by e-mail.  We will do our best to not inundate you with messages and mailings, but will selectively send you items that we believe are helpful for you or at least interesting.  From now on, this News and Notes column will also be e-mailed to you. As usual, this column will not be lengthy, and we carefully choose what might be of most value to you as we communicate with you. Watch for an e-mail that mirrors this column!  The e-mail will be sent to those whose information we have in PSI’s database.

PLEASE NOTE!  PSI’s MAP program has taken on a new look and new life. We have revised the program carefully, with advice from personnel who have worked or are working for academies.  We believe we now have a more streamlined, workable program. Please take a look on PSI’s website: Model for Academy Philanthropy.  Also PLEASE NOTE that PSI’s assistance is available in several ways, as described on the website—Options One and Two, and participation in the MAP program. We look forward to hearing from you, and please share the news.

The PSI Conference on Philanthropy is getting closer! Time is passing quickly, and we hope you’re making plans to attend PSI’s conference in Ft. Lauderdale.  Please take note of the Service Awards for which you can nominate someone and also the Milton Murray Trailblazer Award, which is given to a seasoned and accomplished professional.  See the box on the top of our website for more information. Be sure to notice the deadlines!

Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? This campaign pointed out the value of peer-to-peer fundraising, but was also fraught with challenges—besides the campaign itself.  Here is an interesting headline– The Chronicle Daily Update

ALS patient group unhappy with how $115 million raised by the Ice Bucket Challenge is being spent

Published: Feb 15, 2018 8:40 a.m. ET

Social Media Platforms have a definite, positive role in fundraising campaigns, and we can learn a lot from the Ice Bucket Challenge. For more on this, contact me (lilyawagner@nadadventist.org).

Donor-Advised Funds are here to stay.  Watch for notice of a PSI live webinar coming up on this topic. In the meantime, here is a highly credible resource for you: Giving USA Special Report

What would you like to know about fundraising, philanthropy, nonprofit studies, management and leadership of nonprofits? What topics would you like us to cover?

Until next time,

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

As of March 5, 2018

I trust that your weather is also turning more pleasant.  We survived a massive windstorm and are headed into spring—saw my first daffodil!

Our thoughts are no doubt focused on the revision of taxes.  We’re fortunate to have a knowledgeable friend who has shared a document on this. Click to view

Many thanks to Phil Purcell, CFRE, MPA/JD
Consultant for Philanthropy, LLC
Adjunct Faculty, Indiana University Maurer School of Law
and Lilly School of Philanthropy
111 Stony Creek Overlook
Noblesville, IN 46060
Cell: 765-730-4321 |Email: pmpurcell@outlook.com

Our friends at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy/The Fund Raising School have started a new service that is exciting.  See the following:

New podcast episode!
First Day Podcast from The Fund Raising School
The Fund Raising School First Day Podcast highlights current news and research. This weekly 10 minute podcast provides fundraisers with the latest information in fundraising and philanthropy. Be more informed and stay up to date with the First Day Podcast. Listen to previous episodes on our website.

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy
University Hall, Suite 3000 301 University Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN, 46202-5146, United States
1-800-962-6692 | philanthropy.iupui.edu

Please Note—especially academy personnel:  The Model for Academy Philanthropy (MAP) and consulting/training for academies in general has been thoroughly updated and revised!  We followed the advice of the current MAP professionals, who came together on February 19 and 20 for discussion and planning, plus updating each other on what’s working and what to fix.  Please check this out on our website!  And please write me or any staff if you have comments or questions.  Many thanks for Mark Lindemann and Lorena Hernandez for all their work in making this meeting successful.

There some new thinking about the traditional capital campaign feasibility studies—check this out and if you don’t get the Chronicle Daily Update, write me. Chronicle of Philanthropy Daily Update, January 10, 2018, Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign? Steps to Take Before Deciding, by Martha Keates.

Want to honor special people who have helped you succeed? As many of you know, PSI offers The Philanthropic Service Awards and Milton Murray Trailblazer awards. Pull these up from our website now and nominate these special people! We look forward to hearing from you.

Finally, one more special item about taxes is attached. Enjoy Spring and stay in touch!

Until next time,

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

As of February 14, 2018

Happy Valentine’s Day from PSI, whether you’re reading this on the exact day or not.  And since I believe in not just a “birth day,” but extend it to a birth week or even birth month, please accept our best wishes whenever you read these News and Notes!

NEW AND IMPROVED!   Thanks to Charlotte Henderson, PSI’s mentoring program is vastly improved and we hope you will take a look at this exciting revision.  Check this out and take the next step toward even more professional development: Mentoring program

We will keep the upcoming PSI conference front and center for quite a while, to make sure you don’t miss information about this special event.  2018 PSI CONFERENCE ON PHILANTHROPY   June 26-29, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Pier Sixty-Six Resort.  Sponsored by NAD every 3 years.  Learn from top experts at the lowest price!  Network with Adventist professional development officers who have conquered the same challenges you face, and discover tools that make an immediate difference.  Basic Fundraising Techniques will also be taught in Spanish. Free 1 to 1 consulting.  Learn Now, Pay Later.  See separate 1-page ad in this issue for more details.

Event Website: http//psiconference.com

Some interesting new thoughts about capital campaigns and feasibility studies.  See CHRONICLE OF PHILANTHROPY DAILY UPDATE, from January 10, 2018: Are You Ready for a Capital Campaign? Steps to Take Before Deciding, By Martha Keates.

For decades, most nonprofit leaders considering a capital campaign would hire consultants to interview key supporters as a basis for deciding whether to mount what in many cases would be an organization’s most ambitious fundraising drive ever.  If you don’t get this publication, we could share the info with you.  Basically, they present some alternatives to the traditional feasibility study.

Very soon we will have the forms for volunteer service awards given by PSI as well as the Trailblazer award on our website.  Watch for further notice but be thinking about whom to nominate so we have a good slate of nominees.  This is a chance to truly honor some person who has been instrumental in your success, plus honor someone from our own ranks.

There always seems to be some new and innovative way to re-think how we do things, and in the corporate giving realm, that is certainly true.  In a recent issue of Grassroots Fundraising Journal there was excellent information on yet another somewhat-new aspect of corporate giving, “Is Fiscal Sponsorship Right for You?”  If you are interested and don’t get this journal, ask me.

On February 19 and 20 the current MAP academy participants are coming on our site to discuss MAP and how to improve it.  Watch for more information on this very important event.

We say a sad farewell to a most valuable employee, Tandi Perkins.

She has been with PSI for about a year and a half and has been a great asset to all of us.  We wish her the very best as she relocates to work with exciting projects of the Alaska Conference. 

Until next time,

Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

Already the year is zipping by quickly, and I’m sure we’re all thinking, “How am I going to get everything done!”  Please remember that PSI is here for YOU, and check out our myriad of services that might be useful for you. Also, please alert your friends and acquaintances to this News column, which we will publish approximately every two to three weeks, and also peruse our website, which contains many resources.

Taxes are a big issue today. At PSI we’re collecting information and articles that try to enlighten us on this thorny issue.  Write if you need some of the latest materials on taxes, fundraising and nonprofits.

We’re building our “store” of webinars and invite you to check out the ones we have so far. If there is a particular topic you would like to have us cover, let us know. We will have “live” webinars in 2018, the first one being non-philanthropic income such as in-kind gifts, and the second one about donor-advised funds. Watch for further notices. And don’t forget the course that PSI has on the Adventist Learning Community website, https://www.adventistlearningcommunity.com/courses/32.

The December 5, 2017 Daily Update of the Chronicle of Philanthropy contained this article—”Donor States of America:  First-of-its-kind demographic analysis of giving dispels myths and reveals surprises.” If you don’t have access to this article, write me and we’ll share it with you.

And we will continue to keep our upcoming PSI conference front and center so that you can plan to attend. Randy Fox and PSI staff as well as the steering committee are working hard to make this the best-ever conference for you. Soon we will post the forms for the traditional PSI awards and scholarship applications.

The higher education senior professionals. Unfortunately Tami Condon and Troy Patzer had to leave a bit early.

At times PSI convenes meetings of representatives from sub-sectors of PSI’s constituents. This week the senior professionals working in higher education in the NAD gathered on the Union College campus and had two days of guided discussion as well as interaction with each other. At the meeting were LuAnn Davis of UC, Troy Patzer representing WWU, Carolyn Hamilton from SAU, David Faehner from AU, Tanya Sweeny from WAU, Carol Bradfield from ADU, David Colwell representing LLU, and Tami Condon from SWAU.  Many thanks to LuAnn and Union College for hosting this event, and thanks to PSI staff Tandi Perkins and Randy Fox for helping prepare for it.  Special guests were Andrea Ahrens from Christian Record Services for the Blind and John Huynh from Cal Poly in Pomona.

In the next month we will convene those academies’ representatives who are in PSI’s MAP program. Let us know if you have any special needs.

As always, wishing you the best!!  Lilya

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274

As of January 1, 2018

As we begin a new calendar year, we at PSI wish you the best for you personally and in your significant work for each of your organizations. Please remember our sole purpose for existing is to assist you and help you do your work in the best way possible.

Just a reminder that I share news and information with you every two or three weeks, and I look for the latest in resources as well as answers to questions we receive from the field. This time I’m featuring some new and very helpful books.

For those of you in healthcare fundraising, or if you know someone in healthcare, you may be interested in a new book by Betsy Chapin Taylor, a renowned authority on healthcare philanthropy.  She edited an excellent volume published by the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, Transforming Health Care Philanthropy. She has brought together authors who wrote about “grateful engagement,” using metrics, major gifts as art and science, and other relevant and current topics.

For those of you interested in global philanthropy, here’s a suggestion. Based upon the survey results of 4,150 donors worldwide, the 2017 Global Trends in Giving Report is unique in that it is the only annual research project dedicated to studying how donors worldwide prefer to give and engage with their favorite their favorite causes and charitable organizations.

Download the Report:
http://givingreport.ngo

All of us will be interested in a new book about congregational giving in North America.  Dr. Bill Enright is the author of Kitchen Table Giving: Reimagining How Congregations Connect with their Donors. A retired pastor, he is the Emeritus Founding Executive Director of the Lake Institute on Faith and Giving at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University (2004-2015.) A Director of the Lilly Endowment, he has served on the board of numerous nonprofits and faith-based organizations.

And of course we refer you to the latest issue of the AFP journal, Advancing Philanthropy, which focuses on ethics, regulation, and how to approach these serious issues professionally. The entire issue is well worth reading!  If you don’t get this journal, perhaps we can help you with specific articles that interest you. Here are some exceptional titles:

• Rules Were Made to Be Followed
• Ethics:  Everybody’s Business
• An Illustrated Guide to Ethical Problems
• What We Need is T-r-u-s-t
• How to Approach Donors to Give Monthly, the Ethical Way
• It’s the Ethical Thing to Do
• Education, Regulation and the New York State Charities Bureau
• The Ethics of Overhead
• Weaving Ethics Into Your Professional Life
• The Role of Leader:  The “Marriage” of Diversity and Ethics (by Lilya Wagner and Birgit Burton)

We repeat, PSI is here to make your professional life easier and better, and we will do all that’s possible to serve YOU and your organizations! Greetings from COLD Maryland!!

lilyawagner@nadadventist.org

Mobile:  317-250-8274