Registration Details
To be accessible to each member of our fundraising community, we’re offering you the option to pay-what-you-can. Your payment helps us honor our speakers' time and expertise with a stipend and cover the costs of technology and technical support for promotion, registration, and the session. The average cost per person is about $20.
Event Description
Ever dread calling a particular donor out of fear that they might make an inappropriate comment about race, politics, or gender? This has happened to many of us, and there is no avoiding these uncomfortable conversations. As our society has become more polarized, these issues have come to the forefront. How we react to these comments is a reflection on us as individuals and professionals as well as on the organizations we represent. How do we navigate this minefield while also raising the funds needed to further our missions? Do our superiors and organization have our backs if we take a principled and ethical stand against bigotry? We need to ask these questions now so we can begin to develop the policies and guidance to gift officers who are having these uncomfortable conversations. We will share examples of how having uncomfortable conversations can actually deepen the relationship with a donor and result in increased support.
Takeaways:
- Learn how to identify a potential conflict
- Understand the risks/rewards for defending your principles
- Confirm whether your organizational culture and values align with your own
- Identify who you can turn to should you face a challenging ethical/moral dilemma
Moderator
Mina Kobayashi (she/her) is the Development Manager at Genesys Works Twin Cities. She has worked in education and arts spaces locally as a fundraiser, front of house member, and a board member. Mina was born and raised in New York City, attended college in Maine, and has called St. Paul home for five years. This year, she is serving on the board of AFP Minnesota and on both AFP-MN’s and AFP Global’s IDEA Committees. Recently, you can catch her cooking and baking new things, watching hockey or soccer, or reading in her favorite yellow chair.
Speakers
Christina DeVries, she/her, is an artist, Minneapolis transplant and activist. She earned a Masters in Advocacy and Political Leadership from Metropolitain State University. She currently works as the Director of Development for Students United, which advocates alongside the 50,000+ Minnesota State University students. Prior to working at Students United, she managed grants for a large human services nonprofit, organized donors and worked internally in the Peace Corps as a health volunteer.
Elodie Lee (she/her) is driven to tackle systemic issues with transformational hospitality that inspires giving. Elodie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and 10+ years of experience creatively connecting resources with community needs as a relationship builder, fundraiser, and donor organizer, she’s currently fundraising in 1:1 relationship with individuals and families as Donor Engagement Officer at Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative. In addition to being an alum of the Giving Project, she’s been a part of community-based grantmaking through Headwaters Foundation for Justice’s Community Innovation Grant committee and Transformation Fund and a small part of a growing group to make Community Centric Fundraising happen locally. Elodie is a Dolly Parton enthusiast and veracious eater.
Quentin Moore is the Director of Development at Project for Pride in Living. From the Penumbra Theater in St. Paul, where he developed his fundraising expertise, to his time with the YMCA of the North and now with his leadership at Project for Pride in Living, Quentin has spent close to a decade in the non-profit sector driving fundraising results for organizations. Hailing from North Minneapolis he crossed the Mississippi River to get his degree from UST. With the exception of being with his lovely wife Janae and new baby Charlotte, Quentin loves nothing more than spending his day developing fundraising strategies and working with major donors on meaningful gifts that fulfill their personal values and meet their philanthropic goals.