Director of Fund Development at Mount Mary University

Diefenbach Communications Strategies, LLC

Diefenbach Communications Strategies specializes in philanthropic marketing strategy and support for all types of social impact organizations. Find your voice, tell your story, move your needle...

Development from the Donor’s Perspective

Developing a Relationship Management System

Demystifying the Development Plan

Development plans – ugh, am I right? The prospect is daunting and who has the time? Join us for Tamara Pacada’s “Demystifying the Development Plan” to discuss the value of having a plan to help you focus your work and increase gift revenue success. Besides, it could save your job as you complete…

Deeper into Donor Behavior & Preferences: 2016 Donor Loyalty Study

May Educational Luncheon: We all want donors who are excited, engaged, and want to come back again, and again. It’s about more than just retaining, but creating loyal donors who feel passionate about your cause and help share your story. Abila’s Donor Loyalty Study digs deeper into donor…

A Deeper Dive: Evaluation of Impact

Let’s keep the conversation on evaluation going! Bring your questions on how to define, measure, and communicate your impact when resources are limited. This is meant to be an opportunity to dig a little deeper and exchange more among colleagues in the trenches.

Creative and Compelling Messages for Digital Solicitations

Creating Breakthrough Strategy for Your Non Profit

Crafting a Winning Sponsorship! It's easier than you think. March Education Breakfast

Spend time with Stefanie Ahrens, Director of Corporate Engagement at Children's Wisconsin and Ann Stadler, Chief Marketing Officer at the University Wisconsin -Whitewater, as they share the ins and outs of producing winning sponsorships for your next event or program.  With more than 45 years of…

Courageous Conversations on Trust-Based Philanthropy: Reimagining the Role Funders Play

Join us for a four-part conversation around trust-based philanthropy. This first session will be an open dialogue where we question the status quo of foundation grantmaking. As fundraisers, we’ll explore how centering the individuals we serve can lead to more impactful and equitable outcomes – and…

Courageous Conversations on Trust-Based Philanthropy: Part 2

Join us for a four-part conversation around trust-based philanthropy. As fundraisers, we’ll explore how centering the individuals we serve can lead to more impactful and equitable outcomes – and how foundations help or hinder those efforts. Let’s challenge norms, share insights, and reimagine roles…

Courageous Conversations on Trust-Based Philanthropy: Nonprofit Sector

Join us for a four-part conversation around trust-based philanthropy. In this third session, we’ll delve into an open dialogue that explores the traditional methods of collective giving within the non-profit sector. Recognizing our donors as partners, we’ll discuss how their engagement is…

Courageous Conversations on Trust-Based Philanthropy: Nonprofit Sector

This final session will center on how we, as nonprofit professionals, can leverage our positions to advance trust-based philanthropy. We will explore strategies for engaging in meaningful discussions with donors and funders and fostering internal dialogues with colleagues. The goal is to ensure…

Courageous Conversations: Navigating Federal Funding Uncertainty

Join us for the upcoming Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee's Courageous Conversation, where we’ll have an informal discussion around the impact of recent executive orders. This is a valuable opportunity for nonprofit professionals to openly share concerns and strategies for…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: How Much Donor Love is Too Much?

No matter how long you’ve been in the fundraising profession, you’ve probably heard the advice that you should strive make the donor the hero.  When sending donor communication, we’re advised to minimize the work that the organization does and lift up how the donors make a difference.  We know that…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Fundraising, Racism, and the Desire to Make the World a Better Place

Fundraisers have experienced the uncomfortable situation when a donor says something racist or prejudicial. We might laugh nervously and quickly change the subject. Or we may feel anger because the remark hits close to home or insults the constituents our organization serves. Should we say…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Supporting underrepresented coworkers by creating psychological safety and uncovering unwritten rules in the fundraising space

Join us to discuss ways we can support underrepresented individuals in the fundraising profession. The discussion will be guided by five suggestions on how we can support underrepresented individuals in the workplace and will take a deep dive into some of the initiatives, including what is…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Ethical Storytelling

Fundraisers today have a responsibility to the organization that should not start or end with a focus solely on dollars raised or individuals reached while storytelling. They must also consider the impact of their actions on program staff, clients, and the broader community.

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Inviting All People In

DEI work can seem overwhelming. Many people don’t know where they even fit into the conversation.  But just as micro-aggressions can create a hostile culture for individuals, micro-inclusions can create ways to invite new people into this space.  Join us to talk about small actions we can take to…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers:

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Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Board Diversification

Board diversification seems like an easy task to do. You simply invite people who don’t look like you, think like you, speak like you, and live like you to join your board, and voila – your board is diversified. Anyone who has tried to diversify their board knows it is not easy. You quickly find…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: How to Fight DEI Burnout & Take Care of Ourselves

Research shows that burnout in the workplace – especially around DEI efforts – is higher than ever.  Low staff engagement can make us feel like we’re on this equity journey by ourselves.  Decreasing budgets can make even the simplest change feel impossible.  Combining those challenges with the…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Identifying White Supremacy Culture in the Nonprofit Sector

Tema Okun defines white supremacy culture as the widespread ideology baked in the beliefs, values, norms and standards of our groups and our communities that teach use both overtly and covertly that whiteness holds value.  In her 1999 article, Okun outlined (some) characteristics of white supremacy…

Courageous Conversations for Fundraisers: Antidotes to White Supremacy Culture in the Nonprofit Sector

Tema Okun defines white supremacy culture as the widespread ideology baked in the beliefs, values, norms and standards of our groups and our communities that teach use both overtly and covertly that whiteness holds value.  In her 1999 article, Okun outlined (some) characteristics of white supremacy…