Jimmie R. Alford, LL.D., LH.D., Founder and Chair, The Alford Group

 Designed for development officers, senior staff, and board volunteers, this all-day seminar will explore the key elements necessary to achieve transformational gifts from individual donors. What attributes are evident in donors who make significant gifts? What characteristics are present in organizations that achieve such gifts? How do these align with each other? What are some of the tried-and-true techniques in soliciting and stewarding donors to bring about miracle major gifts? In this seminar you will also learn to formulate philanthropic value propositions and develop skills to prepare you for asking for major gifts.

Speaker Bio

Jimmie R. Alford is founder and chair of The Alford Group. During his almost 45 year career in the nonprofit sector, Alford has provided leadership in improving the quality of life, assisting hundreds of clients in all aspects of not-for-profit management. Recognized by The NonProfit Times twice as “one of the 50 most influential people in the nonprofit sector,” Alford plays an active leadership and stewardship role in his field. He was chair of the American Association of Fundraising Professionals Foundation (now The Giving Institute) and the Fund Raising School of Indiana University Center on Philanthropy. He is the immediate past chair of the Board of the Alliance for Children and Families, a 350-member association of premier human service organizations. In addition, he serves on the Board of Trustees at North Park University, the advisory boards of The Axelson Center for Nonprofit Management, Aurora University and the Barat Education Foundation, and is a former board member of Alice Lloyd College, and El Valor. Alford frequently writes and lectures on issues affecting the nonprofit sector. He also has accepted the position of “Executive in Residence” at North Park and teaches a limited number of courses in nonprofit management. He has served as editor and chapter author for the book Building and Managing an Asset Base, published under the auspices of Indiana University Center on Philanthropy’s New Directions for Philanthropic Fundraising Program. Alford has a master of science in administration and organizational behavior and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive. In May 2006, he received honorary doctorates from North Park University and Aurora University.