Professional Development

Resource Development for Community Foundations

For community foundation staff and trustees responsible for resource development, particularly those new to the field. This two-day course is for those who want to enhance their understanding of the unique aspects of asset development as it relates to their foundation, foundation funds and gift planning, and donor services concepts and options.

Detailed Agenda 

Overview

Community foundations are in the "forever" business and building the resources that will sustain the foundation's grantmaking in perpetuity is a series of small steps that act as building blocks for the future. So how do you measure your effectiveness when working in such a long timeline? How do you balance being responsive and being strategic? How do you provide inspiration for your board and other community allies?

Resource Development for Community Foundations looks at the process of building relationships and how it is underlies all aspects of resource development from matching donors with gift planning vehicles to building alliances with professional advisors, the concepts underlying policies from gift acceptance to fund agreements, and different ways to look at success.

Taught by fellow-practitioners, this hands-on, interactive course is designed to advance understanding and techniques around providing donor services, comparing philanthropic options, attracting new resources, gift planning, and building strategic alliances.

From this course, participants will:

• Have a framework for developing policies and practices related to the National Standards
• Better understand the implications and trade-offs in policy decisions
• Have a better understanding of challenges and opportunities in building funds
• Be better able to identify where other resources or expertise is needed
• Understand factors to consider when building strategic partnerships with allied professionals
• Be better able to analyze the cost effectiveness of development strategies
• Be more conversant in the philanthropic options available to donors today.

Plus, this course provides valuable resources and enables participants to establish new professional contacts.

Courses

Community Foundation Fundamentals 

Community Leadership for Community Foundations 

Financial Administration for Community Foundations 

Making a Difference: A Community Impact Series 

Resource Development for Community Foundations 

Schedule of Center for Community Foundation Excellence courses 

Questions? Contact Sophie Dunbar at leaders@cof.org or 703-879-0768.