Contact Pam for one of her signature FUNDRAISING workshops below or to discuss a custom topic.
Raise MORE money for your mission.
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BOOK A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT, WORKSHOP OR CONSULTATION based on Pam's NEW groundbreaking book Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue.
Her signature Keynote or Workshop of the same name may cover the five strategies or break out and delve into one or more of the components:
Get the book today at Amazon or email Pam at BeASeedPlanter@outlook.com. |
Fundraising Keynotes and Workshops
Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue
Starting, rescuing, or even improving an annual fund requires hard work and preparation. In this session, Pamela Witter, MBA, shares techniques she mastered through nearly two decades of in-the-trenches experience. From her book of the same name, Pam brilliantly distills down the entire process into five strategies she used to grow the annual funds she manages, including a 40% sustainable increase in annual revenue at one institution. In a nutshell, you will (1) gain a foundational understanding of fundraising and the annual fund; (2) discover how to perfect messaging to inspire more and larger donations; (3) demystify the use of data and systems to decrease cost and increase income; (4) learn how to apply a major gift and campaign model to your annual fund; (5) find the confidence to talk comfortably with donors about their gifts to your mission; and (6) identify which best practices make sense for your unique shop.
Writing Executive Quality Appeals, Stewardship Copy and Speeches
Constructing and communicating the case for giving to a non-profit mission is an imperative skill for all fundraisers at every level. Whether you are writing an appeal with an ask embedded, thanking donors for their investment, or speaking to a single donor or group - masterful delivery leads to gifts time and time again. Pam recalls one supporter telling her after a campaign event, "I wasn't sure the college could raise that money, then I heard your speech on the campaign case and it was a GAME CHANGER." That supporter became a lead volunteer for the project. In this session, Pam shares communication concepts she has taught at the collegiate and leadership levels. Participants will learn about mission-focused messaging; storytelling as evidence; fundraising myths and mistakes to avoid; appropriately incorporating goals, timelines and other technical details to motivate giving; reflecting on brand differentiators; and the importance of repetition. Learn guidelines for excellent writing and speaking.
Become a Donor Stewardship Samurai
Secret Weapons for Retention, Renewal, and Rising Returns
While serving as Director of Constituent Relations and Donor Stewardship, Witter was tasked with writing a full-scale, annual stewardship campaign for her institution. She embarked on a learning journey, studying and analyzing the field, examining her organizations track record, and ultimately building a powerful operation with significant results. In year one, first-time donor retention increased from 15-28%; employee participation in giving increased from 38-56%; LYBUNT retention went from 59-67%; and 331 new members were inducted in the donor giving society. In this session, Witter reveals the goals for long-term stewardship, the reasons donors lapse, and the 6 Steps to Structuring a Super-Star Stewardship Program. They include communications, ethical management, recognition, inquiry, education, and events and initiatives. Whether you are new to the field or a tenured stewardship professional, you will discover great take-away's to build or fine-tune your organization's stewardship plan.
More than Mailers: 2 Proven Practices to Grow Your Annual Fund
Take a deep dive into TWO of the five strategies outlined in Pamela Witter's popular book "Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue." After presenting her five strategies throughout the country, participants have asked for a "deeper dive. " As a result, Pam has begun to build out sessions that isolate the strategies and allow institutions - big or small - to learn the techniques that help her teams grow unrestricted giving. Learn how to transition any annual fund from a series of mailings to a tactical, annual campaign - as strategic and effective as capital or endowment campaigns. Second, learn the real-life techniques Pam and her teams used to grow annual fund lead gifts by applying the principles of the major gift model. If you seek to grow annual revenue for your mission, this session is a must! Attendees will discover the skill gap between annual and major gift programs and the 7 essential elements of a great annual fund plan. Pam will demystify the annual fund visit program and offer a simple four-step process for high-end annual fund asks. Lastly, Pam will share "in-the-trenches" insights to overcome the fear of asking to become a super-star fundraiser.
Segmentation: A Master Class
Segmentation is a method used in fundraising to speak to the donor as an individual with unique interests and preferences, despite most forms of communication for the annual fund going to large groups. This session provides an overview of segmentation for new and intermediate development professionals; offers insight on how to manage donor records to best analyze, categorize, and track communication; dives into the myriad ways one can segment - from common techniques to project-based segmentation; connects segmentation to messaging; and challenges long-held philosophies on the purpose and impact of segmentation, especially in annual funds. After presenting on her acclaimed book "Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue" throughout the country, participants have asked for a "deeper dive" on each of the five strategies. As a result, Pam has begun to build out sessions that isolate the strategies and allow institutions - big or small - to learn the techniques that help her teams consistently grow unrestricted giving.
Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue
Starting, rescuing, or even improving an annual fund requires hard work and preparation. In this session, Pamela Witter, MBA, shares techniques she mastered through nearly two decades of in-the-trenches experience. From her book of the same name, Pam brilliantly distills down the entire process into five strategies she used to grow the annual funds she manages, including a 40% sustainable increase in annual revenue at one institution. In a nutshell, you will (1) gain a foundational understanding of fundraising and the annual fund; (2) discover how to perfect messaging to inspire more and larger donations; (3) demystify the use of data and systems to decrease cost and increase income; (4) learn how to apply a major gift and campaign model to your annual fund; (5) find the confidence to talk comfortably with donors about their gifts to your mission; and (6) identify which best practices make sense for your unique shop.
Writing Executive Quality Appeals, Stewardship Copy and Speeches
Constructing and communicating the case for giving to a non-profit mission is an imperative skill for all fundraisers at every level. Whether you are writing an appeal with an ask embedded, thanking donors for their investment, or speaking to a single donor or group - masterful delivery leads to gifts time and time again. Pam recalls one supporter telling her after a campaign event, "I wasn't sure the college could raise that money, then I heard your speech on the campaign case and it was a GAME CHANGER." That supporter became a lead volunteer for the project. In this session, Pam shares communication concepts she has taught at the collegiate and leadership levels. Participants will learn about mission-focused messaging; storytelling as evidence; fundraising myths and mistakes to avoid; appropriately incorporating goals, timelines and other technical details to motivate giving; reflecting on brand differentiators; and the importance of repetition. Learn guidelines for excellent writing and speaking.
Become a Donor Stewardship Samurai
Secret Weapons for Retention, Renewal, and Rising Returns
While serving as Director of Constituent Relations and Donor Stewardship, Witter was tasked with writing a full-scale, annual stewardship campaign for her institution. She embarked on a learning journey, studying and analyzing the field, examining her organizations track record, and ultimately building a powerful operation with significant results. In year one, first-time donor retention increased from 15-28%; employee participation in giving increased from 38-56%; LYBUNT retention went from 59-67%; and 331 new members were inducted in the donor giving society. In this session, Witter reveals the goals for long-term stewardship, the reasons donors lapse, and the 6 Steps to Structuring a Super-Star Stewardship Program. They include communications, ethical management, recognition, inquiry, education, and events and initiatives. Whether you are new to the field or a tenured stewardship professional, you will discover great take-away's to build or fine-tune your organization's stewardship plan.
More than Mailers: 2 Proven Practices to Grow Your Annual Fund
Take a deep dive into TWO of the five strategies outlined in Pamela Witter's popular book "Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue." After presenting her five strategies throughout the country, participants have asked for a "deeper dive. " As a result, Pam has begun to build out sessions that isolate the strategies and allow institutions - big or small - to learn the techniques that help her teams grow unrestricted giving. Learn how to transition any annual fund from a series of mailings to a tactical, annual campaign - as strategic and effective as capital or endowment campaigns. Second, learn the real-life techniques Pam and her teams used to grow annual fund lead gifts by applying the principles of the major gift model. If you seek to grow annual revenue for your mission, this session is a must! Attendees will discover the skill gap between annual and major gift programs and the 7 essential elements of a great annual fund plan. Pam will demystify the annual fund visit program and offer a simple four-step process for high-end annual fund asks. Lastly, Pam will share "in-the-trenches" insights to overcome the fear of asking to become a super-star fundraiser.
Segmentation: A Master Class
Segmentation is a method used in fundraising to speak to the donor as an individual with unique interests and preferences, despite most forms of communication for the annual fund going to large groups. This session provides an overview of segmentation for new and intermediate development professionals; offers insight on how to manage donor records to best analyze, categorize, and track communication; dives into the myriad ways one can segment - from common techniques to project-based segmentation; connects segmentation to messaging; and challenges long-held philosophies on the purpose and impact of segmentation, especially in annual funds. After presenting on her acclaimed book "Five Strategies to Increase Annual Fund Revenue" throughout the country, participants have asked for a "deeper dive" on each of the five strategies. As a result, Pam has begun to build out sessions that isolate the strategies and allow institutions - big or small - to learn the techniques that help her teams consistently grow unrestricted giving.
A few places Pam has presented on fundraising:
- In the Trenches Fundraising Conference, Nashville, TN
- Association of Fundraising Professionals International Conference, San Antonio, TX
- Alfred State College CASE Conference, Alfred, NY
- Community Foundation Nonprofit Networking Day, Olean, NY
- CASE District II Conference, Baltimore, MD
- Cuba First Baptist Church, Cuba, NY
- Resourced & Ready – Empowering Your Major Gift Team (Conference Director), Houghton, NY
- Grove City College Stewardship Conference, Grove City, PA
- Advancement Roundtable, Lagrange, GA
- Ruffalo Noel Levitz Naitonal Conference, Orlando, FL
