Non Profit Seminar: Fundraising-Strategies and Practices

This is a SCORE signature class that is a must attend class if you want to know fundraising or improve existing fundraising at your organization. This class will cover how the vision statement, mission, organizational objectives and case for support, translate into funding strategies. The major fund development programs include: annual campaigns, major gifts, board development, corporate and foundation grants, and special events. Strategies and preparation for each type of fundraising will be discussed. Upon completion of the course, class participants will have an overview of the basics of the best practices in fund development today and an appreciation of the hard work, but great satisfaction that comes with raising money for great causes.

Key Topics:

Overview of aspects of a comprehensive fundraising development plan.
Pros and cons of fundraising methods
Key components to have in place for major gift campaigns
doing the "ask"
Grant Proposal keys to success
Components of a successful fundraising board of directors

Learning Outcomes:

If you are ready for a major gifts campaign
Basic understanding and appreciation of all aspects of a comprehensive development plan
Networking

What People Are Saying About This Class:

"Well organized and very interactive"
"Great Presentation-excellent seminar"

Registration Information

Registration Fee: $ 25.00

Refreshments: Come at 8:45 AM to check in and remember the traffic. Workshop begins at 9:00 AM.

Veterans: Free admission is available for this class. Click Here for details.

Walk-ins: If space allows, you can register at the door and pay via PayPal or cash.

Be sure to complete registration fully. Print out the ticket and bring it to class as proof of payment or save the confirmation email on your mobile device and bring it with you.

If you have trouble registering, send an email to info@svscore.org

About the Speaker:

Nivisha Mehta

Nivisha Mehta has 17 years of experience in major gift fundraising, grant writing, special event planning and sponsorship, marketing, and program strategy and development for nonprofit organizations. In that time, she has raised more than $6 million+++ and developed expertise in fundraising across diverse ethnic communities in the Bay Area.

Nivisha began her professional fundraising career in 2001 as a consultant writing grants for Bradley Associates and Consultants. She next joined the American Red Cross as the Associate Director of Development for the Santa Clara Valley Chapter, where she managed the annual direct mail campaign and also did grant writing. In 2003, she moved on to El Camino Hospital Foundation where she continued writing grants. She increased grant funding for the RotaCare Free Clinic by more than 50% and secured the largest grant the Clinic ever received, $150,000, from a local Foundation.

A founder of the South Asian Heart Center at El Camino Hospital, a nonprofit dedicated to combatting the epidemic of heart disease and diabetes that disproportionately impacts people from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, Nivisha has raised more than $2 million for the Center’s expansion from individual donors who belong to a community that is fairly new to philanthropy and local giving.

Nivisha became Alum Rock Counseling Center’s Development Director in 2007 and in three years increased individual, corporate and foundation support by 300% period. She implemented a signature special event, direct mail and online campaigns, template grant proposals for key programs, tours of the agency, donor salons, donor database, donor collateral and recognition programs, and the establishment of a fundraising-focused advisory council.

At Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Nivisha worked first as the Cisco Giving Counselor. In that role, she was responsible for helping employees locally and worldwide find board and volunteer opportunities. She also managed the Cisco Foundation Habitat for Humanity Grants program, reviewing, processing, and approving all requests for national and international grants. She increased international grants submission by 50% through energetic employee outreach. Next for SVCF, Nivisha helped put together an analysis of philanthropy in the Bay Area Chinese and Indian communities.

Nivisha has volunteered on the board of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Silicon Valley Chapter since 2003. She chaired National Philanthropy Day twice and became the organization’s president in 2016. In these capacities, she kept the organization on budget and secured the sponsorships to underwrite two successful Philanthropy Days, which were attended by over 600 community members. These activities ensured the chapter’s sound financial footing so it can continue to provide the mentorship and education to fundraisers. Nivisha currently serves on AFP’s International Board of Directors.

Nivisha majored in marketing at Santa Clara University, from which she graduated with a B.S. in Commerce in 1992. She completed Fundraising School through the Center on Philanthropy at the University of Indiana and received her certificate in nonprofit management from San Jose State University. Nivisha lives in Almaden Valley with her two boys and husband.

Silicon Valley SCORE members, with nonprofit experience in Silicon Valley, offer counseling for nonprofits. Counseling sessions can be requested with the following experienced members: Nadera Alam, John Edwards, Gerry Fields, Barbara Haofstein Spiegel, Bob Goedjen, Nev Griffin, Ray Noble, Brian Neth, Jack Maxfield, Karun Shimoga, and Neal Weinstein.