News & Events
Celebrating Success: Cohort 11 Completes Leadership Gift School
Another outstanding group of nonprofit professionals finished Cohort 11 of Leadership Gift School. "This program continues to excel," said IPL Board Chair Jim Kelley, "as it brings together a cohort of nonprofit CEOs and development directors who work together to build their organization's capacity for leadership giving. Since it began in 2008, 96 organizations - some of them more than once - have graduated from Leadership Gift School."
Patton McDowell, the program's lead faculty member and director, welcomed eight organizations to Cohort 11. The group included leaders and fundraising professionals from a wide variety of organizations, including Crossnore Communities for Children, Freedom House, Freedom Schools, Gaston College Foundation, Lakeview Neighborhood Alliance, Turning Point, Wayfinders, and Zab's Place. Final presentation highlights can be found here.
Are you a nonprofit executive seeking to take your major gift philanthropy program to new heights? This transformative cohort-based program takes place each Spring, and is designed exclusively for nonprofit CEOs and Development Directors who are committed to advancing their fundraising strategies and building highly trained teams. As a member of our exclusive community, you will participate in five comprehensive six-hour sessions, including two that involve your nonprofit's board members. These sessions, which include a mix of in-person and online meetings, provide a unique opportunity to learn from experts, engage with donors, analyze field research, delve into case studies, and complete both in-class and out-of-class assignments.
Want to learn more about being in the next Cohort? The 12th edition of Leadership Gift School starts in January 2024. To learn more and apply to next season's group, visit the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership LGS page here.
Learn More & Apply for Cohort 12
Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy Program
APPLY NOW
Are you a new or aspiring professional looking to make a significant impact in the nonprofit sector? Look no further! The Institute for Philanthropic Leadership is pleased to announce the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program (formerly called New Development Professionals), which has been specifically designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to excel in fundraising, management, and organizational planning within the philanthropic sector.
With a proven track record of success, this program has already empowered 137 professionals from 71 organizations to achieve their goals and make a tangible difference in the nonprofit sector. Now, it's your turn to join this talented group of emerging leaders and embark on a transformative journey toward personal and professional growth.
The Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program takes place over four monthly sessions, from September to December, with each three-hour session taking place from 9am until Noon EST. Each session will be conducted virtually over Zoom, allowing you to participate from the comfort of your home or office. We understand the value of your time and have strategically designed this program to maximize your learning experience without compromising your daily commitments.
Led by seasoned philanthropy experts and members of the IPL Board of Directors, the program's curriculum offers 12 hours of instruction, and delves deep into the core competencies required for success in the nonprofit sector. You'll explore cutting-edge fundraising strategies, refine your management skills, and develop a keen understanding of organizational planning, all while being immersed in a supportive and collaborative virtual learning environment.
As a participant, you will have the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions, collaborate with like-minded peers, and benefit from personalized feedback and guidance from our experienced instructors. Furthermore, you'll gain exclusive access to a network of influential professionals, expanding your connections and opening doors to new career opportunities within the philanthropic community.
Whether you're looking to enhance your existing skills or transition into the nonprofit sector, the Emerging Leaders in Philanthropy program is the perfect catalyst for your professional journey. Take the first step toward unlocking your potential and making a lasting impact on the causes you care about. Secure your spot today, and together, let's shape the future of philanthropy.
Dates & Topical Highlights
September 6, 2023 | Theory & Practice
- Keys to Nonprofit Success
- Essential Leadership Skills & Experiences
- Strategic & Annual Development Planning
October 5, 2023| Donor Cycles & Giving
- Donor Cycle, Research & the Board's Role in Fundraising
- Leadership Gifts & Solicitation Skills
- Annual Giving, Major/Capital Giving, Planned/Legacy Giving
November 1, 2023| Managing Data & Relationships
- Managing & Using Data
- Financial Acumen
- Internal & External Relationships
- Individual/Corporate/Foundation Do's and Don'ts
December 7, 2023 |Communication and Planning
- Delivering Your Case for Support
- Professional & Personal Strategic Planning
- Panel discussion
Program cost: $450; Early Bird Rate $400 expires July 1, 2023 APPLY HERE
IPL's New Development Professionals Program Features Philanthropic Experts | October 2020
The New Development Professionals program, one of the two signature programs produced by the Institute for Philanthropic Leadership, kicked off its fall 2020 season with an outstanding line-up of nonprofit experts. Catherine Warfield, CFP, the Senior Vice President of Philanthropic Advancement and Deviré Robinson, J.D. the Vice President of the Centers for Giving, both from The Foundation for The Carolinas, gave great presentations on donor advised funds and the history and legacy of community foundations. James Bullock, Vice President for University Advancement at Queens University, also shared key lessons on the unspoken rules of fundraising and personal solicitation, the often uncomfortable "asking for money" cornerstone of philanthropic advancement. Finally, Jim Kelley, Vice President of Development at the Diocese of Charlotte, emphasized the importance of legacy giving, speaking on his career long experience in securing donations with long-term potential.
The NewDevelopment Professionals program prepares aspiring nonprofit leaders to excel in the fundraising, management and organizational planning skills required in the philanthropic sector. To date, 93 professionals from 58 organizations have attended this program. Click here to see those who have completed the program, and go here for more information and to apply!
The target audience for the program is new or aspiring professionals in the nonprofit sector whose responsibility features fundraising. The program consists of four monthly (3-hour) sessions from September - December each Fall.
PMA Consulting President Patton McDowell serves as the facilitator and lead faculty member for the program.
 |  |  |  |
| Catherine Warfield, CFP | Devire Robinson, J.D. | James Bullock | Jim Kelley |
| Senior Vice President, | Vice President | Vice President, | Vice President of Development |
| Philanthropic Advancement | Centers for Giving | University Advancement | Diocese of Charlotte |
| The Foundation for the Carolinas | The Foundation for the Carolinas | Queens University |
IPL Partners with the Carolinas Planned Giving Conference
The Carolinas Planned Giving Conference is hosted by the North Carolina and South Carolina Planned Giving Councils and will be held virtually on September 2-3, 2020. Registration for this 2-day conference is open to Council members, non-members and organizations.
Click here for the schedule & speaker bios.
IPL Welcomes Cohort 8 of Leadership Gift School
January 18, 2020
The Institute of Philanthropic Leadership welcomed nine nonprofits to its 8th Cohort of Leadership Gift School beginning this Spring, hosted by the Foundation For The Carolinas. These outstanding organizations join 165 nonprofit leaders from 76 nonprofits that have graduated from this highly acclaimed program.
Anuvia. Valerie Kopetzky, CEO; Abigail Lord-Ramsey, Director of Fund Development
Arts & Science Council. Jeep Bryant, President & CEO; Robert Touchstone, Director of Development
Augustine Literacy Project. Alison Houser, Executive Director; Jessica Klasinski, Director of Development
CrossRoads. Tiffany Capers, Executive Director; Chanda Hurms, Development Director
GenOne. Ian Joyce, Executive Director; Katie Gaunter, Board Member
Heart Math Tutoring. Emily Gaffney, Executive Director; Sally Dudley, Development Director
Hospitality House of Charlotte. Angie Bush, Executive Director; Candice Johnson, Development DirectorNC MedAssist. Lori Giang, CEO; Anny Reed, Chief Development Officer
Metrolina Association for the Blind. Tracy Liberto-Fegarsky, President & CEO; Dawn Cordero, Development Officer
To find out more and apply to be part of the next cohort, click here.
The Institute for Philanthropic Leadership and the Leadership Gift School is in the news:
Building relationships to raise funds Charlotte Viewpoint
Community focus can yield leadership gifts Advancing Philanthropy
Philanthropic culture key to fundraising Philanthropy Journal
Crisis Assistance Aims to Engage Major Donors Philanthropy Journal
Nonprofit leaders study major gifts Philanthropy Journal
New school to teach major-gift fundraising Philanthropy Journal