Program Recap: “Small Shop Talk: Inside the World of Small Shop Fundraising”

On July 22, 2020, WID took a deep dive into the “small ponds” of the development world. “Small Shop Talk: Inside the World of Small Shop Fundraising,” one of a series of free summer webinars sponsored by CCS Fundraising, was moderated by Raquel Rosenblatt, Chief Development Officer of The Dimock Center.

Panelists Jenn Harris (Community College of Rhode Island), Rachel Segaloff (the National Diaper Bank Network), and Jodi Wolin (Boston Harbor Now) shared their experiences of the highs and lows of working on small development teams and discussed critical lessons they have learned over more than fifty years of combined experience. Among the organizations represented on the panel, shop size averaged 3-4 full-time development staff and annual operational budgets ranged from $400,000 to $2.5 million

As shops of all sizes navigate these unprecedented times, small shops are unique in their ability to prioritize limited resources, increase donor engagement, and shift fundraising strategies to accommodate “the new normal.”  Panelists shared stories of amazing generosity spurred by both the COVID-19 pandemic as well as individuals, community leaders, and foundations seeking ways in which to support the organizations they care about the most navigate “uncharted territory” through increased unrestricted giving. 

From bold, “cold asks” through email, to non-agenda happy hours, mentorship programs that deepen relationships, and a “back-to-basics” fundraising approach with less reliance on events and galas and more one-on-one check-in’s with major donors and board members, small shops continue to remain flexible in their cultivation strategies, yielding meaningful and impactful giving results. While remote work poses daily challenges to even the most robust organizations, small shops remind us all that now, more than ever, people—and donors—want to connect to and be inspired by one another. 

Click HERE to view the full recording of the webinar.

Click HERE for helpful resources provide by our speakers.

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