LZF Institutes
Lenny Zakim Fund Institutes are free day-long conferences that we offer to all current and former grant recipients. Topics are selected with input from grant recipients. Information about the upcoming Institute is below. For more information, please contact Melissa Eng-Wong (m.eng-wong@thelennyzakimfund.org or 617-406-5935).
Parking: $27
Tina Cincotti: A fund development expert with a passion for social change, Funding Change founder Tina Cincotti gives grassroots groups the skills, tools, training, and confidence they need to raise more money while building stronger relationships with their supporters. With nearly 15 years experience, Tina specializes in fundraising assessments and evaluations; creating strategic development plans; writing solicitation appeals, newsletters, annual reports, and online content; improving donor relations and donor communications; coaching executive directors and staff new to development; and motivating boards to be more engaged in fundraising. Tina serves on the Board of Directors of Women in Development, is a member of AFP, MNN, the Nonprofit Consultants Network, and maintains a consulting affiliation with Third Sector New England. She specializes in working with small nonprofits and has a particular focus on assisting grassroots groups working for social change.
Cindy Rowe, Principal of Rowe Resources, has worked for over fifteen years with non-profit organizations, government agencies, and political campaigns to help them maximize their resources in the areas of fundraising, special event and conference planning, and board management. She has particular expertise in working with small and mid-size non-profits organizations wishing to expand their ability to create major fundraising events, annual funds and major gift efforts, and wanting to involve their board members, volunteers, and others in these initiatives. Prior to launching her consulting practice, Cindy managed a statewide political campaign and worked for the Administration and Massachusetts Legislature in public policy and community affairs. She received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College, and her J.D. from Boston College Law School. Cindy is a board member of the Lawyers Clearinghouse on Affordable Housing, which provides pro bono legal services to non-profit organizations, and is also active in many community groups. She also teaches classes and leads workshops on fundraising for several organizations.
Track 2: Grassroots Fundraising
Here is the truth: The more organized, realistic and creative an organization is the more likely it will be to raise the money it needs. This interactive, hands-on workshop is designed for the board and staff members (Director of Development and/or ED) responsible for bringing in funds to help them get organized, think creatively, help each other and get some tangible skills to be energized and excited about the task in front of them. Attendees will learn about: the philanthropic dollar to set the context for who gives the money and who gets it; who is successful in getting their share-and why; identifying and leveraging new funding sources; and the importance of setting realistic goals.
The tangible outcomes for the workshop include: how to design a realistic Strategic Fundraising Plan with tasks and timelines; how to hold successful meetings with individual donors; direct solicitations; special events; house parties; and how to use social media to enhance each piece.
Participants will be surveyed prior to the workshop to ensure organizations are grouped appropriately for case studies and break out sessions.
Wendy Swart Grossman comes from a political background having worked for Michael Dukakis, Bill Clinton and Nelson Mandela. She has been consulting to nonprofits on all areas of non profit management since the late Jurassic Period. Clients range from community based to national and international non-profit agencies with budgets from $50,000 to $100(+) million. Recent clients include: Science Museum in London, Harvard University/Graduate School of Design, L.D. Brown Peace Institute, Mass Poetry Outreach Project and Citizen Schools. Engagements have included all aspects of strategic planning for fundraising and volunteer management, project management, press and public relations, workshop facilitation, special events, corporate fundraising, conference and volunteer management. Clients vary in area of interest from the environment, social justice, women's rights, community service/engagement, arts, hunger, urban planning, to museums and educational institutions. She comes to her work with compassion, excitement and a big old sense of humor. She holds a BA from St. Olaf College and a MA in Non Profit Management from Tufts University/Urban and Environmental Policy Program.
