The inaugural cohort is underway now.
Check back in 2021 for Cohort 2.
The purpose of this NEW Alliance learning track program is to develop fundraising leaders. Participants will expand their leadership skills and fundraising/development competencies while generating innovative ideas. Their new expertise will enable them to support any organization by setting them up for a sustainable future.
12 Month Program w/ Monthly Gatherings at the Alliance’s State-of-the-Art Training Facility
Strong Safety & Health Measures in Place w/ Virtual Participation Options Available
High-Quality Renowned Curriculum
MS Alliance Principles & Standards for Nonprofit & Philanthropy Excellence and Network for Good
Incredible Guest Speakers & Trainers
Experts and Leaders from a Variety of Nonprofit, Philanthropic, and Public Sectors
Low Cost
Financial Assistance Available
$750 Alliance Members/$1,000 Not-Yet-Members
Earn Nationally Recognized & Highly Valued Credits
Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE)
Individualized Attention
Special Community Impact Project
Key Partnerships
Association of Fundraising Professionals, MS Chapter
MS Hub Network for Volunteers and Nonprofits
Click here to apply.
After completing the application we will follow-up with you.
Association of Fundraising Professionals Mississippi Chapter
The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP MS) offers members the opportunity to connect with colleagues, engage in creative thinking, network with new friends and achieve great results in their work.
We focus on delivering innovative educational programs and events to help you reach your goals. AFP Mississippi is your link to professional networking lunches; roundtable sessions; programs for advanced executives, mid-career professionals, and those new to the field. We also offer opportunities for volunteering, sponsor special events like National Philanthropy Day, and much more. Help make AFP MS work for you! Contact us at AFPMississippi@gmail.com to learn more and get involved!
Click here to learn more.
MS Hub Network for Volunteers and Nonprofits
The Mississippi Volunteer and Nonprofit Hub Network (MS Hub Network) is a partnership between The Alliance and Volunteer Mississippi. The MS Hub Network is a resource and advocate for volunteerism, capacity building, and training in conjunction with The Alliance.
The MS Hub Network includes eight hubs: Central MS, Delta, East, Golden Triangle, Gulf Coast, Northeast, Northwest and Southeast. The Hubs are a local point of contact for all nonprofits and provides valuable connections between volunteers and nonprofits. The Hubs will also provide disaster support for their region. In conjunction with The Alliance, the Hubs will assist with recruiting and marketing for classes that cover the 10 Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Management Excellence needed to strengthen nonprofits for sustainability.
Click here to learn more.
Monthly Schedule
Wednesday, August 5
INTRODUCTION TO LEADERSHIP
What does it take to be a leader? In this session, participants will explore effective leadership skills such as providing direction, inspiration, and guidance with passion, confidence, and commitment; communicating with various personality types, and recruiting and motivating volunteers. Mississippi’s Secretary of State will also discuss current topics/trends for Mississippi’s nonprofit sector. We will also review the details of the program.
AGENDA
10:00 – Welcome by Sammy Moon, Alliance Executive Director and Dave Miller, Alliance Program Director
10:30 – True Colors and Program Overview by Amanda Fontaine
11:00 – Effective Leadership by Carolyn Boteler with Temp Staff
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Guest Speaker: Michael Watson, MS Secretary of State
1:00 – The Importance of Volunteerism by Michele Baker
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Review details of The Alliance Emerging Leaders Program
Determine your personality temperament and how to work with and communicate with those that have different personality types (Leadership/Culture)
Learn how to be effective leaders, including how to provide direction, inspiration, and guidance with passion, confidence, and commitment (Leadership/Culture)
Assess how to lead your team effectively and with confidence (Leadership/Culture)
Understand the role of the Secretary of State’s office for nonprofits and discuss any current topics/concerns (Legal)
Discover the optimal way to recruit and motivate volunteers (Volunteerism)
Wednesday, September 2
SPECIAL EVENTS AND GRANT WRITING
This session explores two aspects of a fund development plan—special events and grant writing. What are some of the best practices used to make a special event happen? How about a virtual event? What do foundations really want to know from grant applications? What are the critical aspects of grant writing?
AGENDA
10:00 – Special Events by Amanda Fontaine
10:30 – Virtual events by guest instructor
11:00 – Foundations: What they are looking for? by guest instructors
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Guest speaker
1:00 – Grant writing with the Alliance
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Examine best practices for special events, including virtual events (Fundraising)
Determine how to make the most of your ask by knowing what foundations are looking for in your requests (Fundraising)
Explore all aspects of grant writing so that you have the knowledge to locate and write grants applicable for your organization (Fundraising)
Wednesday, October 7
EXCEPTIONAL BOARDS PLUS THE ETHICS OF FUNDRAISING
Exceptional nonprofit boards are vital to mission sustainability. Participants will learn how to develop and engage board members in this session and then discuss ethics using a case study.
AGENDA
10:00 – Review projects
10:30 – Working with Your Board by guest instructor
11:30 – Organizational Structure – by guest instructor
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Guest speaker
1:00 – Ethics – case studies with Charles Lindsay, CPA, and partner at Matthews, Cutrer, and Lindsay
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Learn the value of creating an exceptional board and how to develop and engage those board members (Governance)
Examine the ethical principles of fundraising (Fundraising)
Wednesday, November 4
DONOR RELATIONS, PLANNED GIFTS, AUDITS, AND NETWORKING
This session is packed with best practices, national standards, and legal requirements for donor relations, planned giving, and audits. The session concludes with tips for networking and establishing mutually beneficial relationships.
AGENDA
10:00 – Donor Relations by guest instructor
11:00 – Major Gifts by Derek Alley
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Auditing by guest instructor
1:00 – Connecting the Dots through Networking by guest speaker
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Review all aspects of donor relations, including acquiring new donors, engagement of donors, and donor retention (Fundraising)
Examine all facets of planned and legacy gifts, including major donors and how to cultivate those benefactors (Fundraising)
Investigate the most common concerns relevant to nonprofits(Fundraising)
Determine why networking is a necessity and how to establish and nurture long-term, mutually beneficial relationships (Leadership/Culture)
Wednesday, December 2
Special Projects & Holiday Celebration
Wednesday, January 6
MEDIA RELATIONS, MARKETING, SOCIAL MEDIA, AND COMMUNICATING THROUGH CONFLICT
Marketing is more than just press releases and effective use of social media. Media relations is key to marketing success in all areas of communicating the value of nonprofits and their impact. In this session, learn essential marketing principles, explore media relations, and how to create resilience and overcome adversity and future obstacles by communicating through conflict.
AGENDA
10:00 – How Do You Get Stations to Cover? by guest instructor
11:00 – Communications and Marketing by guest instructor
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Guest speaker
1:00 – Communicating Through Conflict by Amanda Box
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Analyze the importance of press releases and media relationships in order to have extraordinary coverage for your organization (Strategic Alliances)
Determine the value of marketing and how to best optimize your marketing communications with essential marketing principles (Leadership/Culture)
Learn how to best utilize social media (Planning/Operations)
Discover how to create resilience and overcome adversity and future obstacles by communicating through conflict (Leadership/Culture)
Wednesday, February 3
A DAY AT THE CAPITOL: GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AND ADVOCACY
This exciting session takes place at the Mississippi Capitol where participants will be introduced in the MS House and MS Senate while touring, eating lunch, and participating in a photo session on the Capitol steps. Speakers will explain the importance of government relations and how to develop relationships that are relevant and impactful for nonprofits as well as examine the legislative process with respect to nonprofits.
AGENDA
10:00 – Tour of the Capitol and Introduction in the House and Senate
11:30 – The Importance of Government Relations by Katherine Bryant from AHA
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – Meet with Elected Leaders
1:30 – Photo on Stairs
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Recognize the significance of understanding government relations and how it affects your organization (Civic Engagement)
Learn how to develop relationships with members of the legislature and how to find out what issues are relevant for you (Civic Engagement)
Examine the entire legislative process with respect to nonprofits (Civic Engagement)
Wednesday, March 3
DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE DONORS AND PARTICIPANTS IN FUNDRAISING AND THE NONPROFIT SECTOR PLUS MORE COMMUNICATION SKILL BUILDING
This powerful session starts with the significance of promoting diversity and inclusion in your organization and millennial giving. Participants will also learn two more communication skills focused on presentations and effective email techniques.
10:00 – The Importance & Power of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
11:00 – The Importance & Power of Effective Presentations by Mandi Stanley
12:00 – Lunch
12:30 – The Importance & Power of Effective Emailing Campaigns by Mandi Stanley
1:00 – The Importance & Power of Effectively Working with and Campaigning Towards Millennials by guest instructor
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Assess the significance of promoting diversity and inclusion in your organization (Governance, Human Resources, and Leadership/Culture
How to deliver powerful presentations and be a better speaker
Determine how to write appropriate and professional emails to get them opened, read, and acted upon (Legal)
Understanding the significance of Millennials and Generation Y’s as they are becoming more involved in the process of giving and supporting (Fundraising)
Wednesday, April 7
THE FUNDRAISING PLAN, TIME MANAGEMENT, CFRE
The Fundraising Plan is critical to mission sustainability. Learn the components of the plan and how it plays a critical role in nonprofits. This session also explores time management skills and tips and why a CFRE credential is a powerful tool for fundraisers. The Alliance Emerging Leaders Program Projects will also be reviewed for presentation at May’s Graduation.
AGENDA
10:00 – Creating a Fundraising/Development Plan by guest instructor
11:00 – Time Management by Amanda Fontaine
12:00 – Lunch & the CFRE by Michelle Daniel
12:30 – Projects
2:00 – Adjourn
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Discover how to create a detailed fundraising plan for your organization (Fundraising)
Learn about time management skills, tools, and tips that will help you manage your time, achieve more, and be more effective (Human Resources)
Understand the importance of obtaining your CFRE and how to obtain it (Fundraising)
Review all projects to ensure they are ready for presentation
Wednesday, May 5
AGENDA
10:00 – Projects Presentation
12:00 – Graduation!
