National Philanthropy Day ® -- November 5, 2008

CHANGE THE WORLD WITH A CARING HEART." For the past 23 years, the Sacramento region has modeled this thought with its philanthropic efforts. The California Capital Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals is proud to honor the hearts and actions of local philanthropic leaders as part of the international National Philanthropy Day ® celebration.

Each November, we celebrate National Philanthropy Day ® to honor the philanthropic contributions of individuals, organizations, and businesses -- those who are changing the world with their giving hearts. This year's event will take place on Wednesday, Nobember 5th at the Sacramento Convention Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

This year's distinguished list of honorees is as follows:

Outstanding Philanthropists -Grant & Grace Noda
Outstanding Fundraising Professional - Liz Bergeron
Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser - Gary Maisel
Outstanding Youth in Philanthropy - Amy Oettle
Outstanding Grantmaker - United Auburn Indian Community Giving Fund
Outstanding Grantmaker - Sutter Health
Lifetime Achievement Award - Stan Atkinson

Please join us on November 5th for this wonderful event. Please visit the National Philanthropy Day page on this website for more information on how to become a sponsor of this year's National Philanthropy Day ® or to purchase tickets to the event. Sponsors receive a great deal of recognition at this event and all sponsorship levels include complimentary tickets.

The Association of Fundraising Professinals is an international organiation committed to advancing philanthropy through effective and ethical fundraising. For over two decades, the local chapter has provided education, awareness, advocay, and mentoring for the fundraising professionals of our region.

A Note from the President

Dear Members and Fundraising Professionals,

Recently, I came across the following, anonymous quote: "When you do nothing, you can feel powerless. But when you get involved, yu feel the sense of hope and accomplishment that comes from knowing you are working to make things better.

This is one of the reasons I became so involved with AFP...to work to make things better rather than sitting on the sidelines wishing things could be one way or another. There are many opportunities to get involved in AFP, as a member on committees ranging from Membership to Professional Development to Finance, Government Relations and Ethics to Marketing. There are one-time experiences like National Philanthropy Day ® where you can lend your time and expertise, and there is the privilege of serving on the AFP Board of Directors. The list goes on, and the message is this...if you want to make things etter for the fundraising profession, want to make srong connections with other progessionals in the field and want to grow in your career, giving your time to AFP is the right decision.

If you are not a member of AFP and are interesting in finding out more about the benefits of being part of a 30,000-member straong international association, please click on the Join AFP Now button in the margin. Locally, you join with more than 175 members who benefit fromthe worldwide knowledge and expertise of AFP professionals across the globe.

And now is the perfect time to join because in honor of National Philanthropy Day ® , there is a limited time $25 discount for new members joining as an active member before November 30, 2008. Just print out the Special Membership Discount Coupon. and enclose it with your completed application form. There are so many benefits to being an AFP member, and I welcome you to visit the Membership section of this site to learn more.

HIGHEST CHAPTER RECOGNITION FOUR YEARS IN A ROW!
Thanks to the commitment of the AFP California Capital Chapter Board of Directors and each member's support and participation, the AFP California Capital Chapter has again received the "10 Star" Award from AFP International. The Chapter Ten Star Award honors those chapters that align their objectives with AFP’s current strategic plan and encourages chapters to perform specific activities designed to increase professionalism within the profession, as well as public awareness of the importance of philanthropy. Your ideas, feedback, criticism, praise and comments are welcomed an encouraged.

Please feel free to contact us at info@afpccc.org – your involvement makes all the difference!

Kerry Wood, CFRE
President, AFP California Capital Chapter

The "R" Word

by Amber K Stott

In the nonprofit halls of our region, there's a word that won't pass the lips of local
fundraisers--the "R" word: Recession. It's not that we're in denial. Looking at
the statistics, the writing is on the wall. According to the "Target Analytics Index of National Fundraising Performance"., nonprofit giving--and the number of total donors--are down nation-wide. In fact, it has been on the decline since 2006.

Also as early as March of this year, the Boston Globe reported that, according to top global economist, Martin Feldstein, president of the National Bureau of Economic Research and a Harvard University economics professior, "The United States has already slipped into a deep recession that culd be the most serious since World War II."

The housing bubble has popped. Unemployment looms. Retails sales in the region are down.

The reason you won't hear the "R" word escaping the lips of area fundraisers?
Simple: We're an optimistic bunch. We believe in the power of our cause. No one here would question that the programs must go on."

While dollars might be stretched thin, resources still exist. Lisa Culp, Executive
Director of Women's Empowerment, Although giving is down, supporters seem even more committed to volunteering. Being flexible and utiizing those resources wisely in the face of budget crunches can make a significant difference.

Kathy Chow, Director of Hands on Sacramento encourages nonprofits to seek volunteers to weather the hard
financial times. "Registration of new volunteers increased 31% from June '07 to June '09," says Chow.

Local United Way. CEO, Steve Heath has also seen growth in unexpected areas. He says, "It seems counter-intuitive, but it has been my experience that during tough economic situations, worplace fundraising tends to go up disproportionately. Perhaps it is because people who still have jobs appreciate what they hae even more. Perhapts it is because they see the nonprofit community helping their former colleagues and neighbors."

Whatever their motivation, these donors and volunteers give reason to be optimitic.
After all, Beth Hassett, Executive Director of WEAVE. says, "Somebody always has money. Don't lose sight of that fact. We all just need to continue cultivating relationships, communicating with donors and moving forward."

Steve Potter, Development Director at the Sacramento SPCA. points out, "As long as we continue to do what we do best, poeple will respond to that."

Thus, whether we're in the midst of the "R" word or not, local fundraisers
plan to pound the pavement, overturn new stones, and declare dedication of their missions with renewed enthusiasm. Did we ever expect anything less?

Your region. Your voice. Stay tuned to the next edition of our newsletter, where we
will continue area coverage of the "R" word with feature articles targeting how
hard financial times are affecting various sectors of the nonprofit industry, such as the arts, youth, human services, and more.

Byline: Amber K Stott serves as the Director of Community Partnerships at Women's Emplowement. She has more than seven years' experience in Sacramento fundraising, communictions and marketing.

Ask the Expert?

Getting Ready for Year End by Catherine M. Connolly

JUST MAIL!
Many times, poeple spend too much time fussing with their copy and design. when the most important thing is to get the solicitation out to your constituents. At this time of year, the schedule trumps all, since there are only so m,any weeks left until the end of the calendar year.

CONSIDER A FOLLOW UP SOLICITATION.
If you get a very large response to your year end appeal, consider a follow up mailing. The rule of thumb is that a follow up will bring about half the response of the initial mainling, so if the first one is really good, the second will perform at a more average level. The package could be a softer ask with more cultivation material, but it will be a reminder for those who considered giving the first time around but just didn't pull out the checkbook.

PROVIDE LOTS OF DETAILS ABOUT WHY YOU ARE ASKING FOR SUPPORT.
It's not enough to just say, "we need your help." You need to outline what you are going to do, why it's important, and why you need the donor to support that work. Many times an internal staff person knows too much about the program and why it's important, so you need to remember you are writing to people who do not necessarily "get it" like your staff and board.

CONSIDER WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE DONOR.
You are writing a solicitation to meet your budget goals, but that's not what is important to the donor. They are donating to make a difference in the world, so you need to write to that point of view. What are you doing that is compelling and making a difference in the world, so you need to write to that point of view. What are you doing that is comp=elling and making a difference, and that's what the donor will be drawn to and want to support.

ASK!
The biggest mistake that I see in solicitation letters is the hesitation to actually ask for money. You can have the most gripping story of a young life that's been turned around...and lots of details about how effective your organization is...but if you don't get the donor involved and let them know howthey can help, the package will not perform as well as it could. And donors what to get involved, so by making a strong and clear ask, you are giving them an opportunity to be part of what you are accomplishing in the world.

Catherine M. Connolly has been working in membership and direct marketing for more than 20 years. For more than 10 years, Catherine has been an independent consultant working with clients both nationally and locally who are facing challenges with their direct marketing.

Welcome New AFP Members

We welcome the folling Chapter Members who joined between February and August 2008

Kathleen S. Anderson Merner, Stockton Symphony Orchestra
Mary T. Burke, UC Davis Arboretum
Kim Butters, The Salvation Army
Keith Diederich, Standofrd Home
Isaak Egge, Heifer International
DenElle Ellison, Greater Sacramento Urban League
Debra Ewing
Carole Hayashino, CSUS
Jeff Henderson, Snowline Hospice
Bryan Hilpley, PG&E
Dr. Paul I. Lanning, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Suzanne Linebarger, Consultant
Shiloh London, Foundation for California Community Colleges
Christine L. McGlasson, Magic Circle Theatre
Mica Mione, WEAVE
Rev. Des D. Nelson, Sacramento Habitat for Humanity
J. Michael O'Donahue, CDA Foundation
Arleen Planas, Hope Productions Foundation
JD Rudometkin, Wind Youth Services
Paul Shane, The Folsom Cordova Community Partners
Shirley Kwan Smith, Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation
Lisa Spivak, Crocker Art Museum
DeAnne Thornton, Child Abuse Prevention Council
Julie Renea Westlake
Lauren Weston, CA Dental Association Foundation
Steven Wise

Interest in joining AFP? Here are the Top Ten Reasons Why For a Sponsorship Commitment Form Click Here

2008 Chamberlain Scholar at 2008 International Conference

by Jack Tracey

As your 2008 Chamberlain Scholar for the California Capital Chapter, I had the privilege to attend this year's conference in San Diego. In addition, I attenede the Management School held all day on the Saturday before the conference.

The conference was an outstanding experience. Each day was packed with a wide variety of educaitonal opportunities, from annual funds to planned giving, every aspect of fundraising was covered by introductory to advanced level courses.

The Plenary Speakers last year were incredible. Dr. Jan Goodall, Sir Bob Geldof, and Kevin Carroll -- each were inspiring and electrifying. The special events were equally inspiring; from Monday's Harbor Cruise to Tuesday's Banquet, with a concert appearance by Rick Springfield, along with my own solo trip to the San Diego Zoo. Although the 2008 conference will be hard to beat, I'm sure the 2009 Convention is going to have quite a line-up!!!

If you're looking for a chance to get a huge number of continuing education hours, surrounded by AFP members and other fundraisers from arount the county - and around the globe, the 46th Annual Converence in New Orleans is the place to be in 2009.

If you've never attended a conference before, you are eligible to apply for the chamberlain Scholarship for our chapter. Each scholar gets $10 registration (a savings of $500 off early registration pricing for members, along with reimbursement of up to $500 in expenses, which will certainly cover your airfare and some of your other expenses. For information on the scholarship contatct Chapter Board Member Georgia Waid:GeorgiaW@chs-ca.org.

Even without the scholarship, the Confference is a great value! I urge you to block this time on your calendar. The 2009 Conference is March 29 - April 1 in New Orleans. Early registration pens soon and closes on Nobember 2nd. For more information see our AFP International Website at

Links to Useful/Interesting Resources

Philanthropic searching:
"Good Search".

"Nonprofit Resource Center".
Offers workshops, consulting and a library filled with the latest in nonprofit textbooks, manuals and other resources.

"The Foundation Center".

"Helpiing grantseekers succeed. Helping grantmakers make a difference."

"The Foundation Center On-Line".
An on-line subscription based search directory for corporate, family and community foundations. This site includes all pertinent information about foundations including contact information, guidelines and past grant awards.

Some other useful links include:
"Charity Channel".
"CompassPoint".
"GuideStar".
"FundraisingInfo".

PLEASE NOTE; If you have other useful links to share with your AFP colleagues please email them to info@afpccc.org