The following is David Maeir-Epstein's comment on Dr. Steve Donshik's article in e-Jewish Philanthropy which can be read here.
In my experience, Israeli nonprofits of various sizes eventually conclude that hiring an in-house professional to deal with resource development benefits their long term growth.
With this in mind, starting out with an external consulting firm has some definite advantages. For starters, it can help with developing the basic infrastructure needed (materials, elements of website relating to resource development, lists of relevant foundations, identification of potential donors, a work plan recommending which methods of fundraising will be most effective for the organization, etc). The consulting firm can also assist with educating the professional and lay leadership to recognize a high standard of professionalism in a field with which usually they are unfamiliar.
While I do offer assist my clients to find the right in-house professional from the beginning, I have also had numerous clients with whom I began as the external consultant and was able to smoothly transition by helping the organization to hire the right in house professional and providing the necessary initial guidance to make sure that she (thanks Steve for the gender default choice) gets off to a running start in the right direction.
Regarding the method of compensation issue, I’m surprised at Steve’s seemingly objective review of the issue in light of the profession’s very clear stance rejecting percentage based compensation as expressed in the Code of Ethics of both the US and the European professional fundraisers organizations. One of the first items on the agenda of the newly formed Israel Association of Professional Fundraisers’s First Annual Conference, now being planned, will be the adoption of our own Code of Ethics. I assume that it will have some elements that will differ from our US and European colleagues, but not on the issue of percentage based compensation.
David Maeir-Epstein
www.israelgrants.com
30 July 2010
21 July 2010
Newsletter VIII
Interns: We provide internships to people wanting to learn about the day to day functions involved in fund raising. These internships provide invaluable training and experience to people starting out in the field. Our interns have a wide variety of background skills, ranging from students to people looking to start a new career.
Sometimes, when we see particularly talented candidates, we invite them to work for as a freelancer or join our staff.
Anyone interested in interning at our office should contact David dave@israelgrants.com.
Funding Opportunities
Glickenhaus Foundation has an August 1st deadline. They fund projects dealing with the elderly, medical research, healthcare, arts, children, community devel, crime/violence prevention, education, environment, family services, hospitals, Jewish agencies/temples, and minorities.
The Lynn and Jules Kroll Fund for Jewish Documentary Film has a July 27th deadline.
Meet Our Team
Shlomit Ben-Michael is a Senior Grant Writer at "David Maeir-Epstein, Resource Development Consultants for Nonprofits". She has worked for almost 20 years with dozens of non-profit organizations in a variety of capacities including program coordinator, grant writer and fundraising consultant.
Ben Waxman is a Grant Writer and Marketing Director for our firm. Ben is responsible for all matters relating to the company website, newsletter, social marketing as well as providing grant writing and consulting services for some of our clients.
Ben Goodman serves as Director of Research. Ben has also worked with numerous non-profits in Israel, helping them to both locate sources of funding and promote their programs.
02 563 6629 www.israelgrants.com
Meet Our Team
Shlomit Ben-Michael is a Senior Grant Writer at "David Maeir-Epstein, Resource Development Consultants for Nonprofits". She has worked for almost 20 years with dozens of non-profit organizations in a variety of capacities including program coordinator, grant writer and fundraising consultant.
Ben Waxman is a Grant Writer and Marketing Director for our firm. Ben is responsible for all matters relating to the company website, newsletter, social marketing as well as providing grant writing and consulting services for some of our clients.
Ben Goodman serves as Director of Research. Ben has also worked with numerous non-profits in Israel, helping them to both locate sources of funding and promote their programs.
David Maeir Epstein Resource Development Consultants for Non Profits
43A Emek Refaim Jerusalem, Israel02 563 6629 www.israelgrants.com
A Win-Win Fundraising Opportunity!
I'm excited to announce that we have made an agreement with a new start up which can provide your organization with a no-cost method of generating income for your organization and strengthening your connections with your supporters and friends. Sounds far-fetched? Not at all.
"Comtribute" will help you to setup a search engine toolbar for your organization. You then encourage your supporters, friends, and employees to download the toolbar. That's it. You then receive payment anytime someone clicks on an advertisement after a search using the tool bar. As an added bonus, the tool bar enables you to send messages in real time to anyone who installed it. The toolbar includes your organization logo and website link.
Imagine that you want to tell your supporters about a new project, new grant, or new function. Using this toolbar you can do so, in real time.
This is being offered to a limited number of non-profit organizations in Israel. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, contact Shlomit Ben Michael (shlomit@israelgrants.com) as soon as possible.
"Comtribute" will help you to setup a search engine toolbar for your organization. You then encourage your supporters, friends, and employees to download the toolbar. That's it. You then receive payment anytime someone clicks on an advertisement after a search using the tool bar. As an added bonus, the tool bar enables you to send messages in real time to anyone who installed it. The toolbar includes your organization logo and website link.
Imagine that you want to tell your supporters about a new project, new grant, or new function. Using this toolbar you can do so, in real time.
This is being offered to a limited number of non-profit organizations in Israel. In order to take advantage of this opportunity, contact Shlomit Ben Michael (shlomit@israelgrants.com) as soon as possible.
The Establishment of a New Old Profession in Israel
"You are doing something historic and very ambitious, no less than the establishment of the Profession of Resource Development in Israel." So opined Prof. Eliezer Jaffe in his moving summary of the day long discussions on the creation of the Israel Association of Professional Fundraisers.
Jaffe should know for he is one of those whose efforts beginning in the 1960's led to the establishment of the Social Work profession in Israel as we know it today.
Over the past 30 years there have been sporadic efforts to convene those involved in resource development for nonprofits in Israel, but now, for the first time, a formal organization has been registered, nearly 400 people have completed the initial survey and indicated willingness to join, and 55 traveled from all over the country to take part in the initial working session held last month at the Kibbutz Seminar Center in Tel Aviv.
As one of the founders and co-chair of the committee shaping the objectives and work plan for the IAPF, I am very optimistic. There is indeed a thirst and a need for such a development. The thirst is tangible among colleagues working in several thousand nonprofits in Israel who feel the need for collegial support and guidance amidst the enormous pressures upon them to produce in a profession where the bottom line looms like an ever-present specter.
And there is a need for the nonprofits and the public to understand and trust that resource development is a profession, not a cold business, that must be approached with a set of principles based upon the highest ethical standards worthy of the dedicated efforts of hundreds of thousands of volunteers for the welfare, education, culture, health and human relations. We are not merely raising funds, we are building communities that strengthen Israel's democratic and social foundations.
We face difficult issues when dealing with professional certification – What training should be minimally required for recognition? What experience should qualify in lieu of formal degrees? What ethical standards cross over all religious and ethnic traditions? What form of oversight and implementation can be instituted to ensure high professional standards?
The IAPF will play an important role in issues of employment, availability of professional resources, and identifying training needs not currently being met by the academic, nonprofit and private organizations offering continuing professional education. The Hebrew summary of the proceedings of the working session are available.
A large founding national conference is being planned for early 2011. A small group of activist colleagues have taken the imitative. It is now time for the senior members of our profession, the heads of development of our major institutions and larger consulting firms and our foundation funding colleagues to step forward and invest some of their resources and pro-bono time in helping the Israel Association of Professional Fundraisers, fulfill Prof. Jaffe's challenge and create a new profession in Israel.
I urge all resource development professionals in Israel who have not yet done so to complete the survey and join the mailing list.
15 July 2010
Marketing Webinars for NPOs and Associations
A new service which we are offering: Web Seminars (Webinars)
Each Seminar lasts about one hour and deals with subjects relating to fundraising marketing. The seminars are given by experts from the United States. They are given in English.
Topics Include:
- How to Write Successful Fundraising Letters
- Boasting Without Bravado: How to Share Your Success Stories
- Getting Your Nonprofit Started with Social Media
- Successful Web Sites for Associations and NPOs: How to Get Your Website to Work for You.
- Increasing Traffic to Your Nonprofit Website
- Advanced Fundraising over the Web – 8 Steps to Success
- Basic Fundraising over the Web
- Online Writing: Dos and Don’ts of Writing for the Web and Email
- Forget the Crowds: How to Define your Audience
- Nonprofit Storytelling: How to Write Your Nonprofit’s Best Stories
- The Best Techniques for Marketing NPOs
- Designing Plans for Future Donations, including Wills, Taxes and Planning
- Fundraising without Fear
- Marketing an NPO without a Budget
For further information regarding our webinar options, please contact Bruria
13 July 2010
Newsletter Volume VII
לקבלת העלון בעברית הקלק כאן
Congratulations to clients:- Hut Hameshulash on a grant of $37,000 from the Glencore Foundation for their program 'A Warm Home for Girls'!
- Luba Slome Dental Center on a grant of $5,000 from Ames Family Foundation!
From CEO: David Maeir Epstein: Promote your non-profit on GuideStar
Every day, grantmakers and businesses that provide discounts or free services to nonprofit organizations come to GuideStar to check charities' tax-exempt statuses. To catch the eye of these potential donors, partners, and professionals, Guidestar offers you these tools:
- Update your GuideStar report.
- Ask your stakeholders and supporters to write a review of your organization.
Monthly Client Spotlight: The Greek Orthodox Scouts of Jaffa
In the city of Jaffa, there is racial tension, poverty, high crime and drug use. Children see this reality on the streets everyday and wonder if that is their future too. The Greek Orthodox Scouts of Jaffa (OSJ) offers an alternative.
Created and run by volunteer professionals, since 1966, the OSJ has provided a safe, warm, exciting and varied social and educational framework. Addressing all the topics that face the children in Jaffa, the OSJ encourages communal responsibility, academic success, a healthy lifestyle, culture and coexistence. The couts consist of 185 boys and girls- Christians, Jews and Muslims- politics do not enter the clubhouse doors and all activities include learning about one another's beliefs and culture.
For the second year, the OSJ will be holding its Multi Culture for All Drama Day Camp. This highly subsidized camp will once again be the highlight of the summer for 150 children of all religions who will learn to express themselves with drama, movement, speech and this year- English. There will be programs on environmental consciousness, cooking, history as well as days and trips full of fun activities.
This incredible organization is run on a shoestring budget and makes a huge impact on the youth of Jaffa. Kol Hakavod to each of you and best of luck with this year's camp! It is our deep pleasure to work with such a dedicated staff and to have been able to secure funding for their programs from the Ames Family Foundation and the International Christian Embassy. To volunteer for, learn more about, or donate to the OSJ, contact Angela.
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
The Jacob and Hilda Blaustein Foundation will be reviewing proposals in July. The goal of this foundation is to strengthen Israel as a democratic, equitable, and pluralistic society. There is a geographic focus on the Negev, a historically disadvantaged area of the country.
The Steinhardt Family Foundation giving for children-at-risk and new immigrants up to age 18 should be contacted with appropriate programs.
Contact us to learn how our knowledge and information can assist you in your resource development goals.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We are holding searches for half and full time employment opportunities in resource development within four different organizations located in Jerusalem, Hadera, and the Tel Aviv area. Please send resumes to Shlomit.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We are holding searches for half and full time employment opportunities in resource development within four different organizations located in Jerusalem, Hadera, and the Tel Aviv area. Please send resumes to Shlomit.
JERUSALEM COURSE MAY 24th
A few spots remain in the upcoming course beginning next week. The course focuses on grantwriting, working with foundations, and fundraising, and will take place every other week and run for six sessions. For more information, see our site or contact Bruria.
Our courses on grantwriting and fundraising are designed for the novice as well as the professional resource developer and cover all topics within this growing field. We are also accepting registration for courses in Modi'in, Haifa and the South!
We are looking to gauge interest in the possibility of taking all or portions of a course via webinar. If such an option appeals to you, please contact Bruria.
David Maeir Epstein Resource Development Consultants for Non Profits
43A Emek Refaim Jerusalem, Israel
02 563 6629 www.israelgrants.com
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