ONLINE CLASSES AND EVENTS
As a Somos El Poder Member you are entitled to attend unlimited online classes. We will have group discussion after classes often in Juntos to support instruction. Please do make every effort to attend your registered classes and cancel properly if needed. We welcome your suggestions for classes you would find valuable. We will also have community events around important topics and themes for Latinx fundraisers. We hope that you will join us!
SEP MEMBER ONLY SESSIONS
Charity Navigator: How to use this free service to strengthen fundraising
Friday, September 15, 2023 at 9am PST / 12PM ET Somos El Poder Members only. Register Here > or use the link below: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_uu21WfEzT-y-xtXCVgA_6A Why should you keep your profile active? Charity Navigator is a free way to list your nonprofit and get legitimacy for donors. Currently, Latinx organizations are underrepresented and we would like to change that. Charity Navigator is a nonprofit, independent charity evaluator established in 2001, providing potential donors with data, tools, and other resources to guide their philanthropic decision-making. Every year, more than 11 million donors come to Charity Navigator to find and support charities that align with their passions and values. Come and learn more about the benefits of this database in your fundraising. Noelani Pearl Hernandez is the Vice President of Culture & Leadership, at Charity Navigator. Noelani has been active in nonprofit work for over 25 years. She has over two decades of nonprofit management experience working in development, public relations, board management, nonprofit/campaign strategy, civil rights, social justice, and diversity/inclusion; this vast experience gives her a unique view of the world, helping organizations thrive and pivot. |
Stewardship: How To Take Care of Your Donors After The Gift
October 18th , 2023 9:00 AM PDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/234483382618508378 This webinar is for Somos El Poder Members Only, Please. We focus a great deal on actually bringing in new donors and supporters. But most institutions fail when it comes to communicating, thanking and engaging their donors after the gift has been made. There are ways to "steward" donors at all levels of giving. Many stewardship methods are inexpensive or even free. Learn from a veteran fundraiser and let's talk about creative stewardship methods relevant to your organization's size and budget. Taught by Pedro Rivera, Board Member, Somos El Poder, Director of Development for George Mason University. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoTo Webinar® Webinars Made Easy® |
LinkedIn: The Fundraisers Best Friend
October 30, 2023 9:00 AM PDT at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5902809970943531353 For Somos El Poder Members Only, Please Most of us use Linkedin these days for our professional communications and careers. However, LinkedIn is a powerful and often misunderstood tool for fundraising, prospect research, Board recruitment, DEI and more. This will be a live demonstration and discussion with our Founder, Armando E Zumaya who will help you learn all he knows about using Linkedin. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoTo Webinar® Webinars Made Easy® |
Individual Mailings (Paper and Electronic)
November 9, 2023 1:00 PM PST https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8815675758076653406\ Individual mailings or Direct mail marketing is more than just stuffing envelopes. In this course, participants will learn how direct mail is the backbone of fundraising and a great lead generation tool. Participants will learn how to build a scalable direct mail program and boost the number of major donors to their organization. Taught by Marco Corona, veteran fundraiser of over 20 years experience and Somos El Poder Board Member and Vice Chair. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Brought to you by GoTo Webinar® Webinars Made Easy® |
New weekly sessions!
CAFECITO SESSIONS (MEMBERS ONLY) Every Tuesday at 11 am PST / 2pm ET Whether or not you are a coffee person? All Somos El Poder and La Vanguardia Cohorts are welcome to attend. The Cafecito Sessions are informal gatherings to discuss all things fundraising. Whether you're looking to implement new techniques at work or seeking guidance on engaging cold prospects, this is the perfect opportunity para charla con nosotros! You'll have the chance to connect with fellow Somos El Poder members, the La Vanguardia cohort, and special guest speakers as we dive into practical approaches discussed in our past webinars. Let's come together, share insights, and elevate our fundraising game! UPCOMING SESSIONS: Sept. 19, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Sept. 26, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Oct. 3, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Oct. 10, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Oct. 17, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Oct. 24, 2023, 11-11:30am PST Oct. 31, 2023, 11-11:30am PST REGISTER HERE > Registration is now required. These sessions will not be recorded. |
Past Webinars - Recordings Available for Members
All SEP Members can request a recording of a webinar anytime. This comes in the form of a OneDrive link to the live recording. Since the webinar is not live you can follow up to the presenter with questions via our List Serv, JUNTOS.
Please note all webinars are the property of SEP they are not to be reused, reproduced, sold in any form or format without written agreement from SEP.
Please note all webinars are the property of SEP they are not to be reused, reproduced, sold in any form or format without written agreement from SEP.
PAST WEBINARS
The Art and Science of Donor Cultivation
Donor Cultivation is both an art and science with elements of good dating practice. Join course instructor, Mike Avila, as he delves deep into the fundamentals of engaging a prospect and building a relationship prior to making a solicitation. Special attention will be paid to how a donor’s wants can align with your organization’s needs and how donor cultivation has changed in the COVID-19 environment. This course is intended for the beginner fundraiser as well as senior non-profit leaders who are not fundraisers but engage with donors. Mike Avila has been a Development Officer for over 20 years and is currently the Senior Vice President of Development at St. John's Health Center Foundation in Santa Monica, Ca. He has a BA in Political Science for the University of California, Los Angeles. He has been a contributor to Somos El Poder in the past. |
Cold Calling and Prospecting: Getting the First Appointment
What do you do when you have a great prospect that nobody knows? This happens all too often to development officers of all levels. For many staff who are growing a major gifts program, this is often the majority of their portfolio of major gifts prospects. This training will help you get focused, learn techniques, tips and methods to reach cold donors and get that first meeting. This training will also help you create a professional learning community so your entire field staff can benefit from each other’s success and experience. If you want to reach new prospects, if you want to get to the prospects nobody else has been able to reach then this training is for you. This training is commonly attended by field fundraising staff of all levels, Executive Directors, Prospect Research and Management staff and volunteers. |

Launching a Corporate Partners Program
Tapping local corporate funding requires consideration of scale, geography, mission, and network. Explore how your organization can consider, prepare for and launch a plan to tap into corporate funding. We’ll cover:
1.The difference between corporate sponsorship and corporate partnership, and how to measure the potential for each
2. Developing the prospect list
3. Understanding types of corporate funding, how to identify decision-makers and influencers, and developing a timeline for the corporate approach
4. Best practices to leverage the organization’s corporate-connected network
5. Developing the value proposition
Presenter Bio:
Diana DeJesus-Medina is Chief External Affairs and Strategy Officer at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a national nonprofit organization defending the human and civil rights of Latinxs. In that role, Diana manages the organization’s communications, advocacy and resource development activities, shares responsibility for strategic direction and helps guide program and board development. With more than 25 years of expertise in nonprofit management, Diana specializes in organizational, leadership and fund development, as well as strategic planning. A fund development generalist, Diana has managed capital campaigns, launched new fundraising programs and trained and coached boards to become more successful fundraisers and ambassadors. Among her key strengths is coaching staff to think creatively about organizational and program alignments to funding streams. She has a strong commitment to fostering emerging nonprofit talent and launched a young professionals board at LatinoJustice. Diana previously served with Family Promise, the American Folk Art Museum, the NYC Department of Education and the YWCA of Brooklyn. She currently serves as a National Associate providing organizational development facilitation for affiliates of Family Promise, a national nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness. Diana serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.
Tapping local corporate funding requires consideration of scale, geography, mission, and network. Explore how your organization can consider, prepare for and launch a plan to tap into corporate funding. We’ll cover:
1.The difference between corporate sponsorship and corporate partnership, and how to measure the potential for each
2. Developing the prospect list
3. Understanding types of corporate funding, how to identify decision-makers and influencers, and developing a timeline for the corporate approach
4. Best practices to leverage the organization’s corporate-connected network
5. Developing the value proposition
Presenter Bio:
Diana DeJesus-Medina is Chief External Affairs and Strategy Officer at LatinoJustice PRLDEF, a national nonprofit organization defending the human and civil rights of Latinxs. In that role, Diana manages the organization’s communications, advocacy and resource development activities, shares responsibility for strategic direction and helps guide program and board development. With more than 25 years of expertise in nonprofit management, Diana specializes in organizational, leadership and fund development, as well as strategic planning. A fund development generalist, Diana has managed capital campaigns, launched new fundraising programs and trained and coached boards to become more successful fundraisers and ambassadors. Among her key strengths is coaching staff to think creatively about organizational and program alignments to funding streams. She has a strong commitment to fostering emerging nonprofit talent and launched a young professionals board at LatinoJustice. Diana previously served with Family Promise, the American Folk Art Museum, the NYC Department of Education and the YWCA of Brooklyn. She currently serves as a National Associate providing organizational development facilitation for affiliates of Family Promise, a national nonprofit serving families experiencing homelessness. Diana serves on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice.
Board Training: Myths and Powerful Truths of Fundraising
This is our first training designed just for Board Members of Latinx focused nonprofits. There are many myths and misconceptions about fundraising we want to address. Most importantly we want to outline the best proven ways Board Members, as volunteers can support powerful and transformative fundraising at their nonprofits. We all want to see our organizations strong, grow the budget, raise salaries, expand services. All of that is dependent on fundraising. Come learn how you can make the difference between survival funding and growth funding. Armando Zumaya has been in fundraising for 36 years in a variety of roles that have given him a unique perspective on all aspects of development offices, fundraising culture and Latinx in the US nonprofit world. |
Introduction to Giving Circles for Latinx Nonprofits
A giving circle brings a group of people with shared values together to collectively discuss and decide where to make a pooled gift. Giving circles support with their dollars, but also build awareness, volunteer, become board members and more. Individuals multiply their impact and knowledge, have fun, and connect with their local community. How can Latinx focused nonprofits empower large groups of small donors, create synergy and impact with their giving? We will hear from a leader in this movement, Sara Lomelin. She has helped developed this method in Latinx giving and has started her own nonprofit, Philanthropy Together to bring it to many communities nationally. Sara Lomelin (she/her) is a connector of people and ideas, a relationship builder and a firm believer that everyone can be a philanthropist. A self-proclaimed philanthropy disruptor, Sara has traveled the world speaking about the power of collective giving and the correlation between civic engagement and Latino philanthropy. She is an expert in diversifying philanthropy. As founding CEO of Philanthropy Together, Sara is growing a movement of people-powered philanthropy to resource grassroots nonprofits, shift power dynamics, and promote widespread philanthropy. Sara is frequently featured at high profile conferences and events for innovative leaders and big ideas, including TED 2022, Netroots Nation, and Unity Summit. An expert on the future of philanthropy, Sara is often quoted in news outlets including Forbes, The Associated Press, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy and her writing appears in Ms. Magazine and Philanthropy Women. Prior to Philanthropy Together, Sara served as Senior Director of Leadership Philanthropy at Opportunity Fund, now Accion Opportunity Fund. Previously at the Latino Community Foundation, Sara served as VP of Philanthropy for eight years and created the Latino Giving Circle Network™—the largest network of Latinx philanthropists in the US with 22 circles and 500 members. |
Engaging Foundation Program Officers
Too many nonprofits send off blind proposals to foundations. Its crucial to engage directly with Program Officers at Foundations who can give your organization major support. How do we this effectively and respectfully? What are key methods, sources of information and tactics? Armando will talk you through methods he has successfully used for years to start conversations with foundation leaders that has generated new grants and support. We will also ask for other members of the audience to share techniques and practices. Armando Enrique Zumaya is the Founder of Somos El Poder, a veteran fundraiser of 36 years experience. He lectures internationally on fundraising in the US, Mexico and the UK. |
Improving Your Grant Writing For Latinx Leaders
Writing grants can be confusing and complicated. Its challenging to know what advice to follow and be true to your program. Let's talk about key do's and don't in grant writing. Amanda Bernal, a SEP Board Member, and veteran fundraiser will walk you through key ways to improve your grant writing. Please bring your questions for this clinic-style presentation. This is part of a two part series on Foundations. Later in the month Armando will teach a session on engaging foundation program officers. Amanda Bernal is the Vice President of Resource Development at Chicanos Por La Cause in Phoenix Arizona. She is a Board Member of Somos El Poder. She has been in Development for over 10 years and is a graduate of the University of Texas and the University of Arizona. |
Raising Money for US Latinx Nonprofits Across the Border
Let's talk about cross-border fundraising. How do we engage donors in Mexico to support US causes? How do we engage US donors to support work in Mexico? It's a smaller world than we know and there are donors all over the world who care about what is happening in the US. Let's find our donors where ever they are. Lety Martinez Hermosillo is one of the finest fundraisers in the nation who has raised six and seven figure gifts from Latino's on both sides of the border. About Our Presenter As Director of Philanthropy, Lety Martinez leads the planning, development, and implementation of all communications, marketing and fundraising activities across the organization. She stewards ICF’s relationship within Mexican foundation networks and has helped ICF earn recognition as key funder for Mexican organizations. She magnifies the culture of philanthropy across ICF staff and board members. Lety was recently awarded Outstanding Development Professional of the Year 2021 by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) San Diego Chapter. She joined the International Community Foundation in August 2017 as the Marketing & Development Manager. Lety has over 12 years of experience successfully fundraising and stewarding donor relations for several Mexican nonprofit organizations. Prior to joining ICF, Lety served as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Tijuana. She was previously Youth Program and Fundraising Director for Centro de Formación Humana and a Social Investment Director for Fundación Dibujando un Mañana. Lety has also served as a volunteer in Budapest, Hungary at Szent Benedek Iskola and the Regnum Christi. Lety is a graduate of Universidad Anáhuac México Norte where she received a Master of Family Sciences for Counseling, and she is certificated in Non-Profit Management by United Way Mexico and USAID. Previously she earned her B.A. in International Business from Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Campus San Luis. She’s currently a graduate student in Nonprofit. |
The Power of Prospect Research: Your (Not So Secret) Weapon
How well do you understand your donors? Which of your donors have the capacity and the inclination to give more to your nonprofit? If you don’t know, you could be leaving hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars on the table every year. Learn what prospect research is and how it helps make your outreach and solicitations more strategic. You will learn about the various resources and vendors available to help your research, with a focus on free or low-cost resources for organizations on a tight budget. Prospect research is your partner in building your targeted major and annual giving programs. osef Manuel Liles, Ph.D., prospect research and analytics professional with ten years of experience and post-graduate training in research methods. |
Dynamic Small Events: Engage and Cultivate Major Gifts Prospects
Presented by Armando Zumaya
So many small events are wasted opportunities to energize new prospects with the mission of your institution/organization. This training will teach you to create small dinners that will directly help you prospect and fill your pipeline with major gifts prospects.
Guided by your Prospect Research and Management staff these small events will help you to get your best prospects in the room, qualify those prospects and gather information on them. Through these dinners you will be able to qualify and start new relationships with dozens of people at a time. They are often very inexpensive to run and will help you raise more money in a tough economy. These dinner stand out in that the attendee’s are highly screened and invited in a way that fills the room with the best prospects available.
This training is great for all types of field fundraising staff, Prospect Research and Management staff and Event staff. It is also useful for Executive Directors who have to do fundraising but don’t have staff.
Presented by Armando Zumaya
So many small events are wasted opportunities to energize new prospects with the mission of your institution/organization. This training will teach you to create small dinners that will directly help you prospect and fill your pipeline with major gifts prospects.
Guided by your Prospect Research and Management staff these small events will help you to get your best prospects in the room, qualify those prospects and gather information on them. Through these dinners you will be able to qualify and start new relationships with dozens of people at a time. They are often very inexpensive to run and will help you raise more money in a tough economy. These dinner stand out in that the attendee’s are highly screened and invited in a way that fills the room with the best prospects available.
This training is great for all types of field fundraising staff, Prospect Research and Management staff and Event staff. It is also useful for Executive Directors who have to do fundraising but don’t have staff.
Nonprofit Boards: Where are the Latinos?
Panel includes:
Ana Valdez- Executive President of the Latino Donor Collaborative
Patrick Salazar- Executive Director of Latino's Lead
Miguel Centeno- Vice President of Health First
Latinx in the US are almost 20% of the population, as a people in the US we have a GDP of $2.6 trillion dollars a year if we were a separate country we'd be the 7th largest GDP on earth, tied with France. Yet we are largely absent from nonprofit Boards nationally, even in states where the population of Latinx is above 40%? Even when the lack of diversity in nonprofits is discussed, Latinx are commonly not included as part of that discussion. Why is this the case? How do we change this? We will hear from three nationally known Latinx leaders who have literally broken this trend and have succeeded where others have failed. How do we empower Latinx to join boards? Call out inequality in the nonprofit world today? This will not be about complaining but about the empowerment of our gente, identifying best practices, and offering practical steps to change this historic issue.
Panel includes:
Ana Valdez- Executive President of the Latino Donor Collaborative
Patrick Salazar- Executive Director of Latino's Lead
Miguel Centeno- Vice President of Health First
Latinx in the US are almost 20% of the population, as a people in the US we have a GDP of $2.6 trillion dollars a year if we were a separate country we'd be the 7th largest GDP on earth, tied with France. Yet we are largely absent from nonprofit Boards nationally, even in states where the population of Latinx is above 40%? Even when the lack of diversity in nonprofits is discussed, Latinx are commonly not included as part of that discussion. Why is this the case? How do we change this? We will hear from three nationally known Latinx leaders who have literally broken this trend and have succeeded where others have failed. How do we empower Latinx to join boards? Call out inequality in the nonprofit world today? This will not be about complaining but about the empowerment of our gente, identifying best practices, and offering practical steps to change this historic issue.
Breaking the Leadership Glass Ceiling for Latinas in Development
Panelists: Brenda Sanchez, Michelle Vryn and Adriana Solis-Lopez
The large majority of nonprofit employees including development officers are women. Yet the number of senior development officers, leaders is few. Why? What seen and unseen barriers face Latinas in career advancement in development? We will hear from three Latina Chief Development Officers and Vice Presidents of Development on what it took for them to advance to the levels they've reached. We will entertain a lively discussion designed to help you learn from their journey's, mistake and smart moves they have made. Let's shatter some glass ceilings!
Panelists: Brenda Sanchez, Michelle Vryn and Adriana Solis-Lopez
The large majority of nonprofit employees including development officers are women. Yet the number of senior development officers, leaders is few. Why? What seen and unseen barriers face Latinas in career advancement in development? We will hear from three Latina Chief Development Officers and Vice Presidents of Development on what it took for them to advance to the levels they've reached. We will entertain a lively discussion designed to help you learn from their journey's, mistake and smart moves they have made. Let's shatter some glass ceilings!
First Visit: The Qualification and Discovery Call with a New Prospect
Presented by Armando Zumaya
What do you do when your have your first meeting with a new donor? How do you start the relationship right, how do you determine if this person is a major gifts prospect. Strong qualification will help you build a worthwhile relationship for your institution and bring in big gifts. These methods apply if you're also working on Corporations or Foundations. This seminar will help you qualify the right prospects and start major relationships.
Presented by Armando Zumaya
What do you do when your have your first meeting with a new donor? How do you start the relationship right, how do you determine if this person is a major gifts prospect. Strong qualification will help you build a worthwhile relationship for your institution and bring in big gifts. These methods apply if you're also working on Corporations or Foundations. This seminar will help you qualify the right prospects and start major relationships.

Basics of Federal Grants
Presented by Mami and Papi
Let’s take a step-by-step approach to federal grants, how do you find them, write them and advance them. Mari and Papi are veteran grant writers with a specialty and a long track record creating successful federal grant proposals. They will cover the following aspects:
Federal Grant Writing Intro:
DUNS (UEI)/SAM.gov/Grants.gov Registration
Proposal Summary
Organization History/Mission/Vision
Problem Statement/Need Statement
Project Objectives
Project Methods/Design
Project Evaluation
Future Funding/Sustainability
Project Budget
Budget Narrative
Attachments
Presented by Mami and Papi
Let’s take a step-by-step approach to federal grants, how do you find them, write them and advance them. Mari and Papi are veteran grant writers with a specialty and a long track record creating successful federal grant proposals. They will cover the following aspects:
Federal Grant Writing Intro:
DUNS (UEI)/SAM.gov/Grants.gov Registration
Proposal Summary
Organization History/Mission/Vision
Problem Statement/Need Statement
Project Objectives
Project Methods/Design
Project Evaluation
Future Funding/Sustainability
Project Budget
Budget Narrative
Attachments

Introduction to Planned Giving
Presented by Yuri Casco
A planned gift can make the difference on the future of a non-profit organization, that is what many organizations discovered in the midst of covid-19 pandemic. “…over-reliance by nonprofits on just ‘keeping the lights on’ is a short sighted strategy that steadily erodes the long-term survival of the organization. As important as annual giving campaigns are in the fundraising practices of the nonprofit sector, developing a steady stream of sustained long-term financial security deserves at least equal – if not the greater – priority.” - The Philadelphia Foundation, July 2010
Yuri Casco- She is a veteran 20 year fundraiser who has worked primarily in medical fundraising, she is currently a Director of Development at Keck/USC Medicine in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Board Member of Somos El Poder.
Presented by Yuri Casco
A planned gift can make the difference on the future of a non-profit organization, that is what many organizations discovered in the midst of covid-19 pandemic. “…over-reliance by nonprofits on just ‘keeping the lights on’ is a short sighted strategy that steadily erodes the long-term survival of the organization. As important as annual giving campaigns are in the fundraising practices of the nonprofit sector, developing a steady stream of sustained long-term financial security deserves at least equal – if not the greater – priority.” - The Philadelphia Foundation, July 2010
Yuri Casco- She is a veteran 20 year fundraiser who has worked primarily in medical fundraising, she is currently a Director of Development at Keck/USC Medicine in Los Angeles, CA. She is a Board Member of Somos El Poder.

The Art and Science of Donor Cultivation
Presented by Mike Avila
Donor Cultivation is both an art and science with elements of good dating practice. Join course instructor, Mike Avila, as he delves deep into the fundamentals of engaging a prospect and building a relationship prior to making a solicitation. Special attention will be paid to how a donor’s wants can align with your organization’s needs and how donor cultivation has changed in the COVID-19 environment. This course is intended for the beginner fundraiser as well as senior non-profit leaders who are not fundraisers but engage with donors.
Presented by Mike Avila
Donor Cultivation is both an art and science with elements of good dating practice. Join course instructor, Mike Avila, as he delves deep into the fundamentals of engaging a prospect and building a relationship prior to making a solicitation. Special attention will be paid to how a donor’s wants can align with your organization’s needs and how donor cultivation has changed in the COVID-19 environment. This course is intended for the beginner fundraiser as well as senior non-profit leaders who are not fundraisers but engage with donors.

Identifying and Maximizing Corporate Donors
Presented by Rossana Salgado-McDonald
Corporate supporters can be perfect partners for nonprofit organizations, with an abundance of engagement opportunities. Through this workshop, you'll gain insight into how to identify supporters from the business world, and how to build symbiotic relationships. You will soon see potential corporate partners as gifts that keep on giving with multiple entry points for generosity. Need to secure event sponsors? Corporate partners! Need volunteers or board members? Corporate partners! Need cause-related marketing allies? Corporate partners! Need grants to support your programs or services? Again - corporate partners and corporate foundations!
Rossanna Salgado-McDonald- is a veteran fundraiser with a long record of success. She has remarkable 20 year record in fundaising in diverse positions. She is currently serving as the Director of Development and Communications at the Unity Council in Oakland, CA.
Vice President, Fund Development and Communications
Presented by Rossana Salgado-McDonald
Corporate supporters can be perfect partners for nonprofit organizations, with an abundance of engagement opportunities. Through this workshop, you'll gain insight into how to identify supporters from the business world, and how to build symbiotic relationships. You will soon see potential corporate partners as gifts that keep on giving with multiple entry points for generosity. Need to secure event sponsors? Corporate partners! Need volunteers or board members? Corporate partners! Need cause-related marketing allies? Corporate partners! Need grants to support your programs or services? Again - corporate partners and corporate foundations!
Rossanna Salgado-McDonald- is a veteran fundraiser with a long record of success. She has remarkable 20 year record in fundaising in diverse positions. She is currently serving as the Director of Development and Communications at the Unity Council in Oakland, CA.
Vice President, Fund Development and Communications

Mobilizing Resources Beyond Dollars
Presented by Shantel Suarez-Avila
This session will provide you with a fresh perspective on how you can organize your next fundraising campaign that showcases the power of people and resources while using a community-centered strategy to help you push for systematic change. Come prepared with an open mind and commitment to centering people and community in your fundraising efforts.
About Shantel- Curious, caring, collaborative, creative, and committed. For over 10 years, these are the values that have guided Shantel’s work beginning with her first fundraising role at Obama for America Headquarters in 2012 to helping raise over $25MM for community-led non-profit organizations. Today, Shantel is proud to live a life filled with joy, gratitude, agency, and love. This would not have been possible without her commitment to fundraise differently, work differently, and live differently - in essence, challenging her own reality and going Más Allá (beyond).
Shantel is an alumna of DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Concentration in Urban Studies. She is also certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Change Management Specialist. Shantel is originally from Chicago, IL and now a proud resident of Escondido, California. Connect with Shantel on LinkedIn.
Presented by Shantel Suarez-Avila
This session will provide you with a fresh perspective on how you can organize your next fundraising campaign that showcases the power of people and resources while using a community-centered strategy to help you push for systematic change. Come prepared with an open mind and commitment to centering people and community in your fundraising efforts.
About Shantel- Curious, caring, collaborative, creative, and committed. For over 10 years, these are the values that have guided Shantel’s work beginning with her first fundraising role at Obama for America Headquarters in 2012 to helping raise over $25MM for community-led non-profit organizations. Today, Shantel is proud to live a life filled with joy, gratitude, agency, and love. This would not have been possible without her commitment to fundraise differently, work differently, and live differently - in essence, challenging her own reality and going Más Allá (beyond).
Shantel is an alumna of DePaul University in Chicago, IL where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Concentration in Urban Studies. She is also certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) and a Change Management Specialist. Shantel is originally from Chicago, IL and now a proud resident of Escondido, California. Connect with Shantel on LinkedIn.

Token Free Board Recruitment for Latinx Nonprofits
Presented by Armando E. Zumaya
This is a national issue, the lack of diversity in nonprofit Boards. Too often we have a few token people of color. How do we create a board that is culturally relevant to our organization but is diverse. Where do we find successful and philanthropic Latinx in our communities that will serve on our Board of Directors? What's the recruitment process like and how do we welcome and retain them. Recruiting powerful new Board members can also accelerate fundraising.
Armando is the Founder of Somos El Poder and a 38 year fundraising veteran.
Presented by Armando E. Zumaya
This is a national issue, the lack of diversity in nonprofit Boards. Too often we have a few token people of color. How do we create a board that is culturally relevant to our organization but is diverse. Where do we find successful and philanthropic Latinx in our communities that will serve on our Board of Directors? What's the recruitment process like and how do we welcome and retain them. Recruiting powerful new Board members can also accelerate fundraising.
Armando is the Founder of Somos El Poder and a 38 year fundraising veteran.

Fundraising Assessments for Latinx Nonprofits
Presented by the Board of SEP
How do you improve fundraising? Let's take a look at a simple way to study your resources (money, staff, volunteers), your community and constituents and finally the growth needs of your nonprofit. How do we pick the best strategy to advance your fundraising? This is half presentation and half discussion. Its designed to help Somos El Poder members design future fundraising growth. We will review a wide range of fundraising methods and talk about the investments require to launch and implement these methods.
Presented by the Board of SEP
How do you improve fundraising? Let's take a look at a simple way to study your resources (money, staff, volunteers), your community and constituents and finally the growth needs of your nonprofit. How do we pick the best strategy to advance your fundraising? This is half presentation and half discussion. Its designed to help Somos El Poder members design future fundraising growth. We will review a wide range of fundraising methods and talk about the investments require to launch and implement these methods.

How I Learned to Love Technology: Harness Integrative Tools for Creativity and Relationship Building
Presented by Alex Carpena-Rousso
This seminar, presented by SEP Board Member Alexa Carpena-Rousso is about how we can use database and other technologies to advance fundraising. The necessary background work to not just document our lists, but automate and improve the relationships we develop. Too many nonprofits neglect their donors once they give, too may organizations lose information about donors and prospects. This presentation will help you prioritize this vital behind the scenes work.
Presented by Alex Carpena-Rousso
This seminar, presented by SEP Board Member Alexa Carpena-Rousso is about how we can use database and other technologies to advance fundraising. The necessary background work to not just document our lists, but automate and improve the relationships we develop. Too many nonprofits neglect their donors once they give, too may organizations lose information about donors and prospects. This presentation will help you prioritize this vital behind the scenes work.
Building Powerful Boards for Latinx Nonprofits
Presented by Armando Zumaya
This is a presentation on the strategic design of Boards to improve fundraising and outreach. This step by step process can help you create a diverse and philanthropically powerful Board. We want our Board to look like our community but we also want it to be influential, generous and understand fundraising. This is the goal of this training.
Presented by Armando Zumaya
This is a presentation on the strategic design of Boards to improve fundraising and outreach. This step by step process can help you create a diverse and philanthropically powerful Board. We want our Board to look like our community but we also want it to be influential, generous and understand fundraising. This is the goal of this training.
Cold Calling for Development Officers: Reaching the Difficult to Reach Prospects
Presented by Armando E. Zumaya
Why do some Development Officers get to new wealthy philanthropists…..first? How can you reach the philanthropists everyone wants to talk to and introduce your institution? Every organization has their top prospects they would love to reach, perhaps they aren't billionaires but they are the people who can make those game changing gifts! We ask Development Officers to reach new major gifts prospects. But often nobody realizes that getting a difficult or first appointment is a learned skill. I offer a unique training based on 34 years of experience in the field. I have literally had those "conversations with billionaires" and I can help train you to do so as well.
Presented by Armando E. Zumaya
Why do some Development Officers get to new wealthy philanthropists…..first? How can you reach the philanthropists everyone wants to talk to and introduce your institution? Every organization has their top prospects they would love to reach, perhaps they aren't billionaires but they are the people who can make those game changing gifts! We ask Development Officers to reach new major gifts prospects. But often nobody realizes that getting a difficult or first appointment is a learned skill. I offer a unique training based on 34 years of experience in the field. I have literally had those "conversations with billionaires" and I can help train you to do so as well.
Starter Major Giving Programs for Small/Medium Latinx Nonprofits
Presented by Armando E. Zumaya
This program is for SEP Member Organizations. Its a very practical checklist of how to start a new small Major Giving program at your nonprofit. This is designed from small and low budget organizations just to start with a small portfolio, 2021 o of Major Gifts prospects. "Major Gifts" can defined by each organization and their demographics separately. It might be $5,000 or $35,000 depending on your organization. These are simple methods almost any organization can start and afford. It's a short PowerPoint followed by deep discussion and counseling with our specialist in Major Giving. Founder of SEP, Armando Zumaya who has implemented many small Major Giving programs at nonprofits for the first time.
This program is for SEP Member Organizations. Its a very practical checklist of how to start a new small Major Giving program at your nonprofit. This is designed from small and low budget organizations just to start with a small portfolio, 2021 o of Major Gifts prospects. "Major Gifts" can defined by each organization and their demographics separately. It might be $5,000 or $35,000 depending on your organization. These are simple methods almost any organization can start and afford. It's a short PowerPoint followed by deep discussion and counseling with our specialist in Major Giving. Founder of SEP, Armando Zumaya who has implemented many small Major Giving programs at nonprofits for the first time.
The Power of Prospect Research: Your (Not So Secret) Weapon.
Presented by Josef Castañeda-Liles, Ph.D
How well do you understand your donors? Which of your donors have the capacity and the inclination to give more to your nonprofit? If you don’t know, you could be leaving hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars on the table every year. Learn what prospect research is and how it helps make your outreach and solicitations more strategic. You will learn about the various resources and vendors available to help your research, with a focus on free or low-cost resources for organizations on a tight budget. Prospect research is your partner in building your targeted major and annual giving programs. The webinar is given by Josef Manuel Liles, Ph.D., prospect research and analytics professional with ten years of experience and post-graduate training in research methods.
Getting the First Appointment with Major Gifts Prospects
Presented by: Armando E. Zumaya
Why do some Development Officers get to new philanthropists…..first? How can you reach the philanthropists everyone wants to talk to and introduce your institution? Every organization has their top prospects they would love to reach, perhaps they aren't billionaires but they are the people who can make those game changing gifts! We ask Development Officers to reach new major gifts prospects. But often nobody realizes that getting a difficult or first appointment is a learned skill. I offer a unique training based on 34 years of experience in the field. I have literally had those "conversations with billionaires" and I can help train you to do so as well. These skills can also help development officers obtain key meetings with Foundation Staff, Corporate Giving Staff and others.
This is not a training that teaches theory or generalities but solid practice, methods and techniques. This type of training is simply not offered elsewhere. We will go through the basics of approach, attitude, scripting, voicemail, working with assistants, practice and reaching difficult to reach prospects.
Communications Planning

Presented by: Marco Corona
Are your donors on track to make bigger gifts? The best way to make sure is through a communications plan. You have limited time, energy, and resources. By segmenting your donors and providing them with relevant content, you'll see donors start to get more invested in your mission. The more you can raise, the more you can do.
In this one-hour session, you'll run through exercises that will help you identify your segments, create profiles/personas, think strategically about content, and start creating a 12-month communications schedule.
Marco Corona is the Chief Development Officer at One80 Place in Charleston South Carolina. He has served in a Development role for over 16 years. He is on the Board of Directors of Somos El Poder.
All webinars fee's are covered in your annual SEP Membership.
Are your donors on track to make bigger gifts? The best way to make sure is through a communications plan. You have limited time, energy, and resources. By segmenting your donors and providing them with relevant content, you'll see donors start to get more invested in your mission. The more you can raise, the more you can do.
In this one-hour session, you'll run through exercises that will help you identify your segments, create profiles/personas, think strategically about content, and start creating a 12-month communications schedule.
Marco Corona is the Chief Development Officer at One80 Place in Charleston South Carolina. He has served in a Development role for over 16 years. He is on the Board of Directors of Somos El Poder.
All webinars fee's are covered in your annual SEP Membership.