Conference topics include: facts and misconceptions about giving (even in a bad economy); the value of funding diversity; why people give; what is a major donor; identifying prospects in rural areas, donor panel Q&A, the ask, major donor math; structuring a major gifts campaign; keeping your donors engaged; and finding more askers.

The very successful 2008 conference was attended by 60 people (40 from 26 organizations in Piscataquis County and 20 from 12 other organizations around the state). Evaluations requested that presenter, Andy Robinson, return and spend more time with activities and role playing to practice various fundraising approaches. As non-profits serving the same communities, we are all scrambling to do more with less. This often gets us into competition with one another for scarce resources. Participants at this conference will have the opportunity to not only learn about how to launch and sustain a major donor campaign, but also have a chance for networking and community organizing that will promote collaboration across multiple organizations and ensure that we are all using our individual and collective resources to maximum benefit.

Andy Robinson, the conference presenter, has nearly thirty years of experience working with a variety of non-profits as a fundraiser, publicist, grant writer and community organizer. In 1995, he started his consulting practice and has provided support and training to thousands of non-profit staff and volunteers in forty-seven states and Canada. Andy is the author of several books and a regular contributor to Grassroots Fundraising Journal. His two most recent books are Big Gifts for Small Groups and Great Boards for Small Groups.

This conference is being funded, in part, by a grant from the Piscataquis Fund of the Maine Community Foundation. Additional sponsors include The Brewster Inn Bed & Breakfast, Charlotte White Center, Elm Street Congregational Church in Bucksport, Foxcroft Academy, Freedom House Bed & Breakfast, Friends of Community Fitness, Penquis Resource Exchange and Pine Tree Hospice. Additional sponsors are also needed to help defray expenses; donations in any amount are gratefully accepted.

Admission to the conference is by donation; pre-registration by September 4th is recommended. Registration forms are available at www.pinetreehospice.org or for more information, call Pine Tree Hospice at 564-4346 or send an e-mail to wecare@pinetreehospice.org.