Wednesday, July 9, 2008

UIS to co-sponsor workshops on nonprofit fundraising

Two workshops designed to help nonprofit organizations focus on giving trends within Illinois and more effectively raise money in difficult economic times will be presented from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, July 31, at the Wedeberg conference facility, Memorial Medical Center, in Springfield. The program is open to the public, however advance reservations are required.

Sikich and the Donors Forum are sponsoring the event in conjunction with the Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center at the University of Illinois at Springfield, Sangamon County Community Foundation, and United Way of Central Illinois.

The session "Understanding and Getting Your Slice of the Pie" will include a presentation of the Donors Forum publication Individual Giving in Illinois. Participants will also see how charitable giving in the state compares nationally and will learn what characteristics define donors locally.

"Foolproof Funding for Hard Times: What Works Now?" will examine where to find local sources of unrestricted funding and will share techniques for raising money during an economic downturn.

Cost to attend the event is $35 per person, which includes lunch.

Sikich is a leading provider of professional services in the Midwest. The Chicago-based Donors Forum serves as a resource for networking, education, information, and leadership on behalf of philanthropy in Illinois.

The Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center, housed in Brookens Library at UIS, is a cooperating collection of the Foundation Center, a national authority on philanthropy dedicated to serving grant seekers, grant makers, researchers, policymakers, the media, and the general public. As a member of their nationwide network of libraries, community foundations, and other nonprofit agencies, the CINRC provides free public access to various materials and databases.

The Sangamon County Community Foundation acts as a vehicle to link donors at all levels with appropriate agencies. Funds raised during annual United Way campaigns are invested in local programs to create lasting changes in individual lives and in the community.

For more information or to register, call the Donors Forum at 888-578-0090 or contact Pamela Salela, coordinator of the Central Illinois Nonprofit Resource Center at UIS, at 217-206-6633.