How We Create Change
It’s no secret that with more financial resources an organization can offer more programs and services.
We are very realistic about barriers to changing fundraising culture at all types of organizations. We believe that even small improvements in fundraising will encourage nonprofit leaders to expand their investment in building fundraising at their institution. For this reason, we will make SEP Classes and Professional Development easily accessible. We will work to involve a minimum of two people from each organization. We do this because the weakness of most professional development in fundraising is that it lacks the buy-in from senior leadership who haven't heard new ideas or methods expressed in professional development classes and conferences. When we gain institutional investment innovations in fundraising have a much better chance of success.
We are very realistic about barriers to changing fundraising culture at all types of organizations. We believe that even small improvements in fundraising will encourage nonprofit leaders to expand their investment in building fundraising at their institution. For this reason, we will make SEP Classes and Professional Development easily accessible. We will work to involve a minimum of two people from each organization. We do this because the weakness of most professional development in fundraising is that it lacks the buy-in from senior leadership who haven't heard new ideas or methods expressed in professional development classes and conferences. When we gain institutional investment innovations in fundraising have a much better chance of success.
Our Concept Paper
Our Concept paper outlines details in SEP's structure, conferences and other parts of the Institute. We are a nonprofit educational institution.
Our theory of change
Many Latinx focused nonprofits have not expanded fundraising due to a perceived or real lack of resources. We will work to design course offerings and conference sessions that are conscious of budget and time realities. The "Tipping Point" in an institutional change in fundraising is when an investment is understood as the reason for fundraising success. Even if it's a small amount of new revenue. Once you have this recognition that fundraising can be expanded, the next step is reinvestment.
This is also when a development strategy is successful and some of the new revenue is reinvested to expand development, and solely spent on the program. Through this method, fundraising can be expanded gradually with more resources, staff, and sophistication.
This is also when a development strategy is successful and some of the new revenue is reinvested to expand development, and solely spent on the program. Through this method, fundraising can be expanded gradually with more resources, staff, and sophistication.
We will ultimately offer both regular online training and live conferences. Our training will go beyond one-time experiences but also be reinforced by online support groups, mentoring, recordings, and more. We want our participating organizations and leaders to be able to get support from presenters and colleagues nationally.
We will ground our professional development around best practices already being implemented in the field. This vital when it comes to Latinx-focused nonprofits with a history of underinvestment in fundraising. A great deal of existing professional development assumes large fundraising teams, dedicated staff, and more. Successful best practices implemented by fellow Latinx focused nonprofits will be realistic and scalable given the budget and staff constraints of most Latinx focused nonprofits. Finally, they will have been vetted for financial success.
We will ground our professional development around best practices already being implemented in the field. This vital when it comes to Latinx-focused nonprofits with a history of underinvestment in fundraising. A great deal of existing professional development assumes large fundraising teams, dedicated staff, and more. Successful best practices implemented by fellow Latinx focused nonprofits will be realistic and scalable given the budget and staff constraints of most Latinx focused nonprofits. Finally, they will have been vetted for financial success.
SEP Staff will collect data on fundraising from SEP participants to measure our work's progress.
Our Core Values
Safety – This will be a safe place to learn. No competition, judgments, or condescension. All Latinx and allies of all genders, sexual orientations are welcome.
Unity- We will speak of Latinx and our allies as one. We recognize the common issues and struggles of our communities and people despite differences. We will focus on our common causes. We help each other learn.
Self-Reliance- SEP is grounded in the self-reliance of Latinx philanthropy. Recognizing that true change at the scale needed will come from within.
Data-Driven- We will teach practices that are based on proven fundraising results. Our instruction must be practical and based on proven practices. We will measure results and disseminate best practices nationally. We will improve our instruction, follow up, and outreach based on the best data available.
Innovation-We will design and test new culturally relevant fundraising methods. We will take proven methods and openly improve upon them.
Positivity- Being positive and having a “can-do” attitude is essential to this work. Pessimism will surface when organizations are trying new methods and making new efforts. We must anticipate and prepare participants.
Conscientiousness- We show up on time. We pick up the phone and return emails. We deliver when scheduled.
Unity- We will speak of Latinx and our allies as one. We recognize the common issues and struggles of our communities and people despite differences. We will focus on our common causes. We help each other learn.
Self-Reliance- SEP is grounded in the self-reliance of Latinx philanthropy. Recognizing that true change at the scale needed will come from within.
Data-Driven- We will teach practices that are based on proven fundraising results. Our instruction must be practical and based on proven practices. We will measure results and disseminate best practices nationally. We will improve our instruction, follow up, and outreach based on the best data available.
Innovation-We will design and test new culturally relevant fundraising methods. We will take proven methods and openly improve upon them.
Positivity- Being positive and having a “can-do” attitude is essential to this work. Pessimism will surface when organizations are trying new methods and making new efforts. We must anticipate and prepare participants.
Conscientiousness- We show up on time. We pick up the phone and return emails. We deliver when scheduled.
How SOMOS EL PODER is different
There are many organizations teaching fundraising, there are Latinx/Hispanic organizations working in philanthropy. How is the Institute different? This short video by our Founder gives an overview.
Our Instructors and Resources
Most of our instructors will be practicing fundraisers in the field. Wherever possible we will work to identify best practices in each fundraising methodology (see below). When that is not immediately available, we will work with consultants in this area.
We will work to develop resources for each fundraising methodology. Some will be live seminars, recorded seminars, articles and other relevant and helpful documents. We will work to create rich resources for any nonprofit leader needing support to implement new strategies. They will include:
We would like veteran development officers and other practitioners who have had experience with these fundraising methodologies to be available to answer questions and support other nonprofit leaders implementing these same fundraising methodologies.
Fundraising Methodologies
Most of our instructors will be practicing fundraisers in the field. Wherever possible we will work to identify best practices in each fundraising methodology (see below). When that is not immediately available, we will work with consultants in this area.
We will work to develop resources for each fundraising methodology. Some will be live seminars, recorded seminars, articles and other relevant and helpful documents. We will work to create rich resources for any nonprofit leader needing support to implement new strategies. They will include:
- Upcoming Live Seminars
- Articles
- Recorded Webinars
- Relevant Document Templates
- Volunteer Mentors
- Juntos- Our listserv and support community
We would like veteran development officers and other practitioners who have had experience with these fundraising methodologies to be available to answer questions and support other nonprofit leaders implementing these same fundraising methodologies.
Fundraising Methodologies
- Individual Major Gifts
- Individual Mailings (Paper)
- Individual Mailings (Electronic)
- Prospect Research
- Small Event Fundraising (Live and Virtual)
- Stewardship
- Cultivation Design
- Social Media Fundraising
- Text To Give Fundraising
- Planned Giving
- Cause Marketing Campaign
- Capital Campaigns
- Small Business Campaigns
- Corporate Fundraising
- Institutional Fundraising
- Media Support for Fundraising