Local Organizations Get Training

by Jason Whipple

A cooperative program between a national foundation and Vermont-based foundation is getting good reviews from local participants.

OutGiving, a project of the Colorado-based Gill Foundation, is being hosted locally by the Samara Foundation of Vermont. This series of nearly free workshops provides training and intensive coaching to organizations to help them become better fundraisers and stronger institutions. The program is intended for both non-profit GLBT and non-GLBT ally organizations.

Three presentations have been held so far. The first two workshops – focusing on the fundamentals of fundraising – were presented by Donna Red Wing. Forty-five people attended, representing 22 organizations, 10 of which were GLBT or HIV/AIDS organizations. In the third workshop, concentration was on development planning; there were 30 people present, 6 representing non-profit organizations that had not been present at the first two workshops.

Susan Baker, from the Nature Conservancy in Montpelier, attended the first workshop despite her extensive professional background. “I went to be supportive,” she said, “and found it to be an excellent overview of fundraising. It’s incredible that the Samara Foundation and the Gill Foundation are working so closely together to bring these opportunities to Vermont residents.”

Naomi and Bill Corey of Bennington are so far impressed with the collective effort. “We plan to use this information to enrich our current experience and to help us out in the future.” At an excellent price – five dollars per person to cover the cost of refreshments – they found it to be an equally excellent opportunity. Despite the lengthy commute, they plan to attend the remaining workshops scheduled for the series.

“We believe that learning and working together builds bridges, breaks barriers and enhances collaboration among groups that have little or no prior relationship.” Bill Lippert, executive director of the Samara Foundation, is already witnessing the materialization of these Gill Foundation goals as he sees networking opportunities develop throughout the state. “It’s more than I expected. I’m thrilled that the response has been so gratifying,” he said.

“One of the best things about the workshops is the Outgiving manual you receive that has the basic outline of all the workshops,” said Roland Palmer of Mountain Pride Media. “I have already pulled things from it to share with our board of directors and committees.”

There will be six more workshops this year. “Build a Better Board” and “Mail for Money” have already been scheduled for September 9 and 23.

Other upcoming sessions include “Recruit! And Reward Volunteers,” “Fix Your Fundraising Events,” and “Breathe Life into Planned Giving.” At least one of these will be offered on Vermont Interactive Television.

“We are taking risks and trying new ideas, challenging non-profits to embrace new business models and helping people think differently about philanthropy,” says the Gill Foundation annual report.

The foundation chose the entire state of Vermont as one of nine OutGiving InCommunity sites for 2000, marking the first time an entire state has been chosen for the project.