Dini Spheris has partnered again with United Way Houston Nonprofit Connection to deliver a robust and informative Development Series. With both on-site and virtual sessions these 6 workshops will take the place over 5 months tackling a new topic in each session. A description of each session is provided below. Register for one, or register for all!
Development Planning Work Session
Tuesday, January 28, 2025
9:00 a.m. – noon
In-person at United Way of Greater Houston
50 Waugh Drive at Feagan
This is an in-person event
Registration fee: $50
From fundraising staffing to strategies, goals to evaluation, the Development Plan can be one of the most powerful tools in your office. Do you have one collecting dust on a shelf or in the cloud? This session is a hands-on workshop on how to develop a plan that is a durable yet flexible roadmap for your organization and fundraising program. Bring your entire development team and customize your fundraising plan.
First Steps: Beginning Portfolio Management
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
This is a virtual event.
Registration fee: $20
Are you new to portfolio management or just need a refresher to better manage a portfolio that has blown up? This session will start from the beginning – how to build an initial portfolio, prioritize and manage prospect outreach, ensure accountability, create strategy, and maintain and adjust your pool of prospects. Make portfolio management a key element of your fundraising toolkit.
Harmony in Action: Building Win-Win Volunteer and Fundraising Programs
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
This is a virtual event
Registration fee: $20
The most successful nonprofits know how to maximize volunteers to build mission awareness and increase fundraising activity. Whether it’s equipping your volunteers with a clear message so they can spread the word or involving them in expanding your organization’s donor prospect pool, there are numerous creative ways to leverage volunteers without intimidating them. This session explores what makes volunteer and fundraising programs mutually beneficial, ultimately leading to greater organizational impact. Be sure to invite board members to join you for this timely session.
Cutting Through the Noise: Making Sure Donors Hear Your Case
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
This is a virtual event
Registration fee: $20
Can you hear me now?!? Do you ever feel that your message isn’t being heard by your donors and prospects? This session focuses on techniques to deepen donor understanding of your work, how to craft compelling partnership language and strengthen the ask. Supercharge your storytelling skills with this practical approach to messaging.
Donor Retention Strategies
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
This is a virtual event
Registration fee: $20
We’ve all heard that “current donors are our best donors”. But how do we keep them connected to our organizations and continue to give? Join us for a discussion and practical strategies to transition first-time donors into long-time friends, build stewardship into your development program strategy, and retain and build lasting relationships with your donors.
The CEO/CDO Relationship: Panel with Nonprofit Representatives
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
9:00 a.m. – noon
In-person at United Way of Greater Houston
50 Waugh Drive at Feagan
This is an in-person event
Registration fee: $50
Our 2025 series concludes with a discussion on one of the most important relationships within non-profit organizations – CEO/CDO relationship. Hear from CEO and CDO partners on the keys to successfully building a partnership that drives organizational growth and resiliency.
Desired Audience: CEOS and CDOS, Development Professionals
