More Than a Grant: Cultivating Relationships with Foundations

Wednesday, December 9, 2015, 9 a.m. - Noon

Hosted by North Park University, Chicago, IL

Thank you for your interest. We are currently at capacity for this program. If you would like to be added to the waitlist, please contact us at axelson@northpark.edu.

About this Session:

Building a relationship with a foundation begins with personal contact and can be cultivated in ways similar to developing individual donors. Consider looking beyond the grant and what foundations can do for your organization, and begin to foster a meaningful relationship that will be rewarding for the long-term. Learn practical tips for starting, maintaining and, in some instances, letting go of relationships. Learn how to respond to foundations’ request for innovation and how to get program officers to help you in opening doors. Be prepared to discuss engagement of board members in the grant seeking process. At the conclusion of the workshop, Deborah Bennett, Senior Program Officer with the Polk Bros. Foundation and Sharon Bush, Director of Elgin Programs/Senior Program Officer with the Grand Victoria Foundation will share their experiences and expectations in creating a harmonious relationship.

Who Should Participate: Executive directors and fundraising staff

About the Presenter: Claudette G. Baker is president of Claudette G. Baker & Associates, Inc. a consulting company delivering training and providing technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and their leaders to help them become effective in accomplishing their mission and goals. Her consulting services focuses on organizational development (strategic thinking and planning, and program planning and development), project management, board governance and development, annual fundraising, and leadership development. She previously served as Vice President of Library and Nonprofit Services at the Donors Forum. Her career has spanned the for-profit, government and nonprofit sectors for more than 30 years. She has an in-depth understanding of the complexities in managing and governing nonprofit organizations. Ms. Baker served as the Senior Director of Center Development for the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, was Director of Nonprofit Programs at Volunteer! Baton Rouge, was a Regional Director for retired U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston, and was an Account Executive for a top rated radio station in Louisiana. Ms. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  Claudette is a past board member of the Crossroads Fund and Association of Fundraising Professionals, Chicago Chapter.