Alford Group

We're thrilled to celebrate the incredible journey of Rancho Coastal Humane Society (RCHS)! Partnering with us at Alford Group, RCHS initially set out to raise $10M for their largest expansion project ever. But thanks to the dedication of their team and supporters, they surpassed their goal—raising over $16M! This remarkable achievement includes new facilities, a sustainability fund, and innovative programs that will have a lasting impact on the community. 🐾

Read more about RCHS’s inspiring story and the power of collaboration in our latest blog post! https://hubs.li/Q02NR5zm0

Client Spotlight: Rancho Coastal Humane Society Expands Campus after Successful $14-Million Campaign - Alford Group Client Spotlight Rancho Coastal Humane Society launched its work with Alford Group with a feasibility study, then as campaign counsel on their biggest expansion project ever. The initial goal was to raise $10 million, but it quickly changed to $14 million. Read more to find out why. Who is Rancho Co...

For 45 years, our consultancy has been a trusted partner in navigating the ever-evolving challenges nonprofits face. From shifting demands to limited resources, we’ve been there with you, helping you create effective strategies to make a lasting impact. Together, we journey forward, so you can focus on what truly matters: doing the great work you’re passionate about. Thank you for letting us be part of your mission! 💓

For today's 🌟 staff spotlight 🌟, we're giving a warm send off to Business Development & Marketing Intern Alexa Crowder! For the past eight months, Alexa has worked on countless initiatives and projects at Alford Group that have accelerated impact for us and our clients. We wish her all the best on her next adventure!

“We have a specific funding need, but we’re not sure people are ready to give, how to talk about it, or how to make it happen.” 🤔

If that sounds like your nonprofit, we can help! In a feasibility study, our thorough analysis of key campaign success factors, combined with data analytics and stakeholder interviews, will provide your organization with action-oriented recommendations tailored to your specific circumstances.

Schedule a consult to learn more about how Alford Group can support your organization in reaching its goals and maximizing its impact:

Contact Us - Alford Group Have an upcoming project or like to think through the design of a project? We're happy to help. Contact us today.

What are the ethical implications of using AI in fundraising? The last installment of our 3-part blog series on this evolving technology is live now.

Read here: https://hubs.li/Q02LNqbG0

Fundraising AI Tools (Part 3 of 3): Accessibility and Ethics - Alford Group By Lieve Hendren, Senior Consultant & Director of Strategic Initiatives In this blog post, we’ll delve into the categories of accessibility and ethics, providing valuable insights and practical tips on […]

How can we use AI in fundraising? Part 2 of our series on fundraising AI tools is live now! Senior Consultant and Director of Strategic Initiatives Lieve Hendren focuses on content generation and donor engagement in today's blog post.

Read here: https://hubs.li/Q02L9nkS0

Join us virtually this week at Feeding America's Unite conference! 🤝 As a sponsor and exhibitor, we're looking forward to helping fundraisers build their capacity, skills and industry knowledge.

Imagine an organizational leadership model where authority and responsibility are distributed across a team according to individual strengths and perspectives. Chief Culture Officer Anh Vo explains shared leadership in our most recent blog post.

Read here: https://hubs.li/Q02KHKnt0

Embracing Shared Leadership: A Model for Collaborative Success - Alford Group Article by Anh Vo, Chief Culture Officer (3 minute read) Introducing an innovate leadership model that promotes inclusivity and collaboration. Today’s complex and rapidly evolving world requires new approaches to the way we lead organizations. The traditional model of a single individual wielding ...

August is Black Philanthropy Month! Alford Group recognizes the past, present and future generosity of the Black community and their essential role in American philanthropy.

In order to truly honor Black philanthropy today, we must look into the past. National Youth Poet Laureate Amanda Gorman articulated that sentiment in her poem "The Hill We Climb," quoted below. As philanthropists, leaders and Americans, we must work toward repairing the harm done to Black people in our country over centuries. This continuous process of reflection and reparations fosters a better, more equitable future for us all.

We look forward to celebrating Black philanthropy this month, and every month.

How can you best engage and utilize your Board in fundraising? 🤔 Senior Client Service Associate Shay Upadhyay created this nifty roadmap to prepare your Board for success. Check it out and you'll be on your way to your destination!

Read here: https://hubs.li/Q02K4zL00

"Philanthropy is personal. It is often tied to a desire to invest in an aspirational world the world that we've yet to see, a problem we've yet to solve. And it's often attached to our lived experiences.That which we've seen, that which we are proximate to. I think the best way for us to look to the future is with the desire to invent and innovate." Chillingly inspirational words on the future of from webinar panelist Tycely Williams and one of many abundant gems from yesterday's webinar Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy, featuring Tycley alongside panelists Jennifer Lackey from Food Bank of the Rockies and Marco Corona from Southern Environmental Law Center.

Thank you to all who registered and attended. And special thanks to Chair of The Giving Institute and Alford Group President & CEO Brenda Asare who moderated and Chief Operating Officer Alexis Cooke and Chief Client Experience Officer Sharon Tiknis who kicked us off with an analysis of the numbers. https://hubs.li/Q02JtBHd0

Missed something? Never fear! You can access the slides, transcript and recording here: https://hubs.li/Q02JtM1_0

Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy This webinar and panel discussion demystified the latest trends in philanthropy and provided insights on how to engage donors in this new giving landscape. A...

We are so excited to welcome everyone to our free webinar on Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy TODAY! Get ready to gain:

⭐Expert analysis on the Giving USA Annual Report on the Year 2023
⭐3 major recommended data-informed Calls to Action
⭐Live insights from nonprofit practitioners on how to apply the data

If you haven't already, you can still join the hundreds of nonprofit professionals in the audience and register here: https://hubs.li/Q02Jp2fr0

See you soon!

An abundance of lovely highlights to share from The Giving Institute Summer Symposium in the . Thank you to The Giving Institute for organizing this annual opportunity to connect with friends across the sector!

Chair of The Giving Institute and President & CEO of Alford Group Brenda B. Asare attended alongside Chief Client Experience Officer Sharon Tiknis, Chief Operating Officer Alexis Cooke and Director of Strategic Initiatives & Senior Consultant Lieve Hendren.

In the passionate tradition of 7-minute lightening round presentations, Lieve discussed the topic "Celebrate to Elevate: Strategies for Strengths-Based Consulting”. We reconnected joyfully with friends and colleagues like former webinar panelist {{linkedin_mention(urn:li:person:ZBkMdsTFrv|Nathan Chappell, MBA, MNA, CFRE)}} and made many new connections. Here's to more opportunities to celebrate the world of !

There's one week left to register for our free webinar, Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy, July 30th where we will demystify the latest trends in and provide insights on how to engage donors in this new giving landscape.

Sharon Tiknis and Alexis Cooke will present their take on the data. President & CEO of Alford Group Brenda Asare will be moderating a panel discussion featuring expert panelists Marco Corona, Jennifer Lackey and Tycely Williams, who will share their experiences in growing donor support.

Register here: https://hubs.li/Q02HrBgC0

You may be hearing the phrase "in this current giving climate" a LOT. What does that mean? What does the data support? We can help you break this down and then some! Don't forget to register for our free webinar, Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy, July 30th where we will demystify the latest trends in and provide insights on how to engage donors in this new giving landscape.

Sharon Tiknis and Alexis Cooke will present their take on the data. President & CEO of Alford Group Brenda Asare will be moderating a panel discussion featuring expert panelists Marco Corona, Jennifer Lackey and Tycely Williams, who will share their experiences in growing donor support.

Register here: https://hubs.li/Q02H6PdR0
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🚀 Transform your fundraising with ease! Introducing our FREE blog series on AI Tools for Fundraisers by Director of Strategic Initiatives & Senior Consultant Lieve Hendren, designed to simplify your journey.

We've been tinkering in the consulting lab to bring you this curated collection of tools-- a toolkit made with you, our fellow fundraisers and changemakers, in mind. Whether you're a newbie or an AI whiz, we've got you covered with user-friendly tips and insights. This installment, the first of 3 parts, is all things and . Explore the best opportunities and resources, and join us in adopting AI responsibly. Share your discoveries with us! 🚀✨

📝 Read more on our blog! https://hubs.li/Q02GsWHj0

According to recent studies by Candid, + representation in the nonprofit sector is stronger than ever before: about 9% of CEOs and 15% of overall staff. Nearly 2% of overall staff and roughly 1% of senior staff, CEOs and board members identify as transgender.

Dedicated to the continuous growth and celebration of the q***r community in the world of philanthropy, Founder of Q***r for Hire Matthew Easterwood (he/they) shares more about what it means for nonprofits to q***r their Culture of Philanthropy and why it's so important. Read this recent interview written by Alford Group Senior Marketing Associate Thandi Cai to learn more about how your organization can embrace q***rness and advance impact. ***rPride

https://hubs.li/Q02Gs_-f0

is out and there is so much valuable data to behold! Allow our seasoned experts to get you what you need as they unravel this year's report's most pressing numbers and trends. Chief Operating Officer Alexis Cooke and Chief Client Experience Officer Sharon Tiknis discuss their takes on the data and share calls to action for you to take back to your teams and . Let us know how you are interpreting things and which action items you will take forth this year!

Giving USA 2024 Annual Report on Philanthropy Analysis Vlog Giving USA's Annual Report on Philanthropy is the oldest, most comprehensive report on charitable giving in the US. Allow Alford Group's seasoned experts to ...

Giving USA's Annual Report on Philanthropy is finally here 🤓📊 Let us help you break things down! Register for our free webinar, Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy where we will demystify the latest trends in and provide insights on how to engage donors in this new giving landscape.

Sharon Tiknis and Alexis Cooke will present their take on the data. President & CEO of Alford Group Brenda Asare will be moderating a panel discussion featuring expert panelists Marco Corona, Senior Development Officer at Southern Environmental Law Center: Jennifer Lackey, Chief Development Officer at Food Bank of the Rockies and Tycely Williams, Chief Development Officer at Bipartisan Policy Center, who will share their experiences in growing donor support.

Register here: https://hubs.li/Q02DfSPM0

Alford Group Chief Operating Officer Alexis Cooke, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Senior Consultant Lieve Hendren and Senior Marketing Associate Anna Cai dive into the key findings from this survey of 55 community foundations on finding balance between community-centric and donor-centric fundraising campaigns. Let's unpack!

In this week's blog, Alford Group shares four key recommendations for successful campaigns, emphasizing proactive approaches and community-informed visions. Elevate your foundation's impact and role as a trusted partner.

Alford Group

Read more: https://ow.ly/UQOQ50SozqA

are unique players in the game of fundraising today. In this latest Giving Institute blog post, we dive into Alford Group's recent survey of 55 community foundations, revealing 4 key strategies for effective campaigns for community foundations. Community foundations stand out by combining community-centric and donor-centric approaches, a balance that transforms their approach from reactive to proactive fundraising, driving meaningful impact. Chief Operating Officer Alexis Cooke and Director of Strategic Initiatives Lieve Hendren unpack how aligning community insights with donor relationships can amplify success and sustain community support.

Read on to explore four essential ideas that can energize your next campaign and solidify your foundation’s role as a trusted partner:
https://www.givinginstitute.org/news/675737/4-Things-Community-Foundations-Need-to-Know-for-a-Successful-Fundraising-Campaign.htm
📖✨

Pride Month is in full swing and there are few better ways to celebrate than to uplift the intersections of LGBTQ+ giving and the nonprofit work we do! To help us, this new infographic summarizes the 2024 LGBTQ+ Index Report by Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. This report dives into a decade's worth of data (2010-2021), highlighting how global events like COVID-19 and shifting support have impacted LGBTQ+ organizations. Discover key insights on funding disparities and challenges, and learn how nonprofits and philanthropists can help bridge the gap. 📊 🌈📚
Read the full report here: https://hubs.li/Q02C41wL0

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday's session on Collective Resilience: Navigating the Shared Leadership Journey at AFP Advancement NW's Annual Conference! Consultant Jaron Bernstein moderated a panel featuring Seattle Chinatown Int'l. Dist. Preservation and Development Authority's Co-Executive Directors Jamie Lee and Jared Jonson and their leadership coach and Alford Group Chief Culture Officer Anh Vo. Cheers to more dialogue and productive collaboration on the road to resilience!

The release of Giving USA's Annual Report on Philanthropy is just around the corner and we are eager for the numbers. Let us help you break things down! Register for our free webinar, Giving USA 2024: The Future of Philanthropy where we will demystify the latest trends in and provide insights on how to engage donors in this new giving landscape.

Sharon McDonald Tiknis and Alexis Cooke will present their take on the data. President & CEO of Alford Group Brenda B. Asare will be moderating a panel discussion featuring expert panelists Marco Corona, Jennifer Lackey and Tycely Williams, who will share their experiences in growing donor support.

Sign up here: https://hubs.li/Q02BP2c_0

Join us for a transformative panel discussion and discover the power of shared leadership in the nonprofit sector. Our expert panel will explore how co-leadership can enhance sustainability, resilience, and growth. You will hear from Co-Executive Directors of Seattle Chinatown Int'l. Dist. Preservation and Development Authority Jamie Lee and Jared Jonson along with their leadership coach and Alford Group Chief Culture Officer Anh Vo as they share firsthand experience about the benefits and challenges of navigating . Alford Group Consultant Jaron Bernstein will moderate the discussion.

We’ll unpack its principles, exploring how it addresses burnout, balances community needs, and fosters collaboration. Gain insights into how shared leadership can transform your team, boost retention, and drive organizational success.

📅 Date: June 13
🕒 Time: 1:05 pm- 2:05 pm
📍 Venue: Allen Foundation Room, McGaw Hall, Seattle

See you in for AFP Advancement NW!

Join us for a transformative panel discussion and discover the power of shared leadership in the nonprofit sector. Our expert panel will explore how co-leadership can enhance sustainability, resilience, and growth. You will hear from Co-Executive Directors of Seattle Chinatown Int'l. Dist. Preservation and Development Authority Jamie Lee and Jared Jonson along with their leadership coach and Alford Group Chief Culture Officer Anh Vo as they share firsthand experience about the benefits and challenges of navigating . Alford Group Consultant Jaron Bernstein will moderate the discussion.

We’ll unpack its principles, exploring how it addresses burnout, balances community needs, and fosters collaboration. Gain insights into how shared leadership can transform your team, boost retention, and drive organizational success.

📅 Date: June 13
🕒 Time: 1:05 pm- 2:05 pm
📍 Venue: Allen Foundation Room, McGaw Hall, Seattle

See you in for AFP Advancement NW!

"Planned giving provides a way for donors to foster a positive legacy, but many prospective supporters may not know about these opportunities." Nonprofits are in a great position to educate prospects about this method of giving, while calling in gifts that can help sustain the organization long-term. Thank you Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) for highlighting this lesser-known topic!

4 Tips for Recruiting Donors to Your Planned Giving Program | Association of Fundraising Professionals Planned giving describes a donor’s commitment to contribute funds at a future time through their estate or will. It’s a popular form of individual giving—according to Giving USA 2023, bequests (the most common type of planned gift) accounted for 9% of total giving in 2022, or $45.6 billion.

As AANHPI Heritage Month continues, we invite you to join our conversation about intersectionality in this blog post by Alford Group team members Anh Vo, Thandi Cai and Meg Schroeder. In it, Anh describes the challenges of her intersectional identities: "In my early career, I’ve had to ask colleagues to not pet me, stroke my hair or pat my head because of being perceived as the 'little' Asian. We’ve come a long way since I entered the workforce. To some, it may not seem that way AND to many of us, it is certainly not enough."

Explore the strides we've made and the challenges we still face. How do you experience intersectionality in your place of work? 🌟 💼

Challenging the Narrative: Intersectionality in the Workplace - Alford Group Group Interview by Anh Vo, Meg Schroeder and Thandi Cai (9 minute read) Team members Anh Vo, Meg Schroeder and Thandi Cai share their experiences of navigating the intersectionality of […]

We are sorry to share that Mark Andrew Dennis, Jr., former Alford Group President, Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer and Equity Partner has passed. His presence and thought leadership left an impact on many and we celebrate his influence on our consultancy, our sector, the communities he served and countless others

In 1971, Mark graduated from Morehouse College with departmental honors, and 30 days later married his high school sweetheart, Gwendolyn D. Johnson. Through that union, he became a proud father to four children: Gelencia, DeAndrea, Mia (Walter) and Mark III (LaRhonda). Later in life, Mark married Barbara Owens and developed an endearing union with her two sons, Brian and Stacey Owens.

In 1995, Mark joined Alford Group. While serving clients in the not-for-profit sector, Mark also provided interim pastoral leadership to Progressive Baptist Church (Chicago, IL) and Second Baptist Church (Evanston, IL). Mark later accepted the call to become Senior Pastor of the historic Second Baptist Church (SBC). In 2013, Mark announced to SBC leaders about his intent to retire. However, instead of retiring, Mark accepted the position offered as President and Chief Executive Officer of the McGaw YMCA of Evanston, IL. In 2017, he finally retired and moved back to the state of Maryland to spend more time with his children and grandchildren.

We share our gratitude for this changemaker and condolences with the friends and loved ones grieving his loss.

With event season underway in the nonprofit world, it's so critical to stay connected with your audiences. In the midst of springtime organizing and planning, how do you meet current donors where they are at and attract new donors across generations? Revisit this insightful online webinar with our friends Colleen O'Grady and Andrew Teie from Yes& | Lipman Hearne to gain radical perspectives on what individuals of each generation of donors are looking for, where they are online and how to maximize engagement. https://hubs.li/Q02wKQy-0