New York Nonprofit Media hosts 2022 FundCon

New York Nonprofit Media held its 2022 5th annual Nonprofit FundCon on Thursday, with development experts gathering to discuss fundraising best practices and strategies. 

The annual conference was held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage and focused on ways to develop relationships with donors, the role social media and technology plays in fundraising and storytelling techniques and ethics. Attendees were also briefed on the best tools to keep track of finances and the role accounting plays in managing finances. 

Welcome and opening remarks were by Judy Harris Kluger, executive director, Sanctuary for Families, who also emceed the event. Throughout FundCon, a plethora of advice was given to fundraising professionals in the room. H. Aldervan Daly, executive vice president of Institutional Advancement of Rising Ground, during the ‘The Key To Success — How to Tell the Story of Your Organization’ panel spoke of the importance of telling positive stories to your audience. 

“We have to be attuned to the story we tell … there’s people behind the numbers”. He went on to talk about being aware of the kind of stories you are telling your audience and how to leave a lasting impression on your donors. Lisa W. Alpert, Vice President of Development and Programming for Green-Wood Cemetery added “Allow your people (people the organization is serving) to tell your organization’s story” to ensure donors understand the impact your organization has on the community.

During the ‘Online Fundraising to Enhance Your Message: From Websites to Social Media to Mobile’ panel, panelists spoke about how social media and technology plays a very big part in raising money for their organizations. 

Ebony Young, deputy Queens borough president, spoke about the role youth can play in social media, how they can contribute as potential advisors and help raise funds. “Don't downplay the role of youth, they may come back and be your donor.”