On Demand
Securing a donor’s first gift makes future gifts, and even increased gifts, possible. But how do we inspire that initial act of generosity? How do we successfully welcome individuals into the donor experience, celebrate their giving, and ultimately deepen their affinity for our mission if we don’t first inspire that initial gift?
In this On Demand webinar, we will discuss the key steps organizations should perfect if you hope to move donors to make their first gift. Whether a young alumni, parents or grandparents, grateful patients, organizational volunteers, or prospective board members, every relationship can grow through meaningful engagement with and support of the annual fund.
Topics we will cover include:
- Personalizing your annual fund appeal
- Telling stories that will leave a lasting impression
- Clearly communicating the need for, and impact of, an annual fund gift
- Using social media to maximize annual fund outreach
- Making the giving experience easy and enjoyable
Registration
The fee is $295 per institution, which allows your entire team the opportunity to participate in this professional development at the same time. If you are a current client of Gonser Gerber Advancement Consulting, that fee is just $145. You will also receive a copy of the presentation and a recording of the webinar with your registration.
On Demand: You will receive a recording and copy of the presentation. The recording is available for one year from the date of the live event, as posted below.
Who Should Attend
This program is designed for advancement professionals who help establish fundraising strategy and support prospect management systems, gift officers, donor engagement efforts, and overall advancement operations.
About Your Faculty
Dr. Meredith N. Brunen is a Senior Consultant with Gonser Gerber and brings more than 20 years of executive advancement leadership experience across higher education and mission-driven nonprofit organizations. Most recently, she served as Chief Development Officer for Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, leading development operations for two internationally recognized cultural institutions and strengthening fundraising systems, infrastructure, and team performance.
Previously, Dr. Brunen held senior roles at University of West Georgia, USC Upstate, Hendrix College, University of West Florida, and NorthWest Arkansas Community College. Across these institutions, she led or supported campaigns totaling more than $241 million; grew annual, major, and athletic giving—including a 79% increase in unrestricted athletic support; secured multi-million-dollar gifts; and launched faculty–staff giving efforts achieving 85% participation. Her leadership also increased employee engagement scores on her team from 3.37 to 4.08 in one year and advanced strategic communications, donor engagement, and volunteer mobilization.
She earned her Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership from the University of Arkansas, where she authored Raising the Bar: The Modern Community College Presidency, contributing to national research on the value of advancement experience in executive leadership.
