Lodestar Center leads new nonproft training program
<p>The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce its role in a new fundraising capacity building training program for nonprofits, funded by The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust.</p><separator></separator><p>The project grew out of a Piper Trust-sponsored program that brought national fundraising expert Kay Sprinkel Grace to the Valley to speak to Trust grantees. The Lodestar Center was selected by the Piper Trust to help create a more extensive, continuing program on nonprofit capacity building with Ms. Grace.</p><separator></separator><p>“Effective nonprofits today require leaders who have a deep understanding of fund development,” said Judy Jolley Mohraz, Ph.D., president and CEO of Piper Trust. “Kay Sprinkel Grace is an expert and the Lodestar Center is the ideal home for the program.”</p><separator></separator><p>Fundraising Capacity Building with Kay Sprinkel Grace will provide training for a cohort of nonprofit organizations, using the teachings of Ms. Grace, a renowned speaker, writer and thinker in the field of philanthropy and nonprofit organizational behavior.</p><separator></separator><p>"Providing knowledge and tools for nonprofit effectiveness is one of the hallmarks of our Center's work," said Robert F. Ashcraft, Ph.D., director of the Lodestar Center and professor of nonprofit studies at ASU. "We are delighted to partner with Kay and the Piper Trust to provide this important capacity building resource to vital area nonprofits."<br /> <br />The program is anticipated to run May 2008 – January 2009, and includes a half-day orientation session, six 90-minute web-based curriculum sessions that are customized to the organizations’ needs, follow-up conference calls with Sprinkel Grace and the services of a local “on-call” consultant. Proposed topics for the sessions include:</p><separator></separator><p>• Mission, vision and values</p><separator></separator><p>• Case development</p><separator></separator><p>• Board leadership development</p><separator></separator><p>• Staff leadership development</p><separator></separator><p>• Planning for development (and/or strategic planning)</p><separator></separator><p>• Prospect identification and development, including cultivation, solicitation and stewardship</p><separator></separator><p>Organizations must be a current or previous grantee of the Piper Trust to apply.</p><separator></separator><p>The mission of Arizona State University’s Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation (formerly the Center for Nonprofit Leadership and Management) is to help build the capacity of the social sector by enhancing the effectiveness of those who lead, manage, and support nonprofit organizations. As part of the College of Public Programs and in partnership with the School of Community Resources and Development, the Center provides knowledge and tools to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations, professionals, board members, and volunteers by offering research, technical assistance, workshops, conferences, classes, and capacity building programs. For more information, visit: <a href="http://nonprofit.asu.edu/">http://nonprofit.asu.edu</a>.</p><separator>… private foundation, The Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust is dedicated to honoring Virginia Galvin Piper’s philanthropic commitment to changing lives and strengthening community in Maricopa County. By investing in nonprofits and encouraging strategic planning for the future, Piper Trust strives to make Maricopa County a stronger, more nurturing and vibrant community. Since it began awarding grants in 2000, Piper Trust has invested almost $229 million in local nonprofits and programs. The Trust reported total grants paid of $27.4 million in fiscal year 2007 (ending March 31, 2007). Piper Trust focuses on healthcare and medical research, children, older adults, arts and culture, education and religious organizations. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.pipertrust.org/">www.pipertrust.org</a>.</p>