From a former student of the Master, who now works in un'onp U.S., here is an email that I get asked for advice and I will gladly answer between the lines (in italics). Good reading. VM

Dear Prof. Valerio Melandri
How are you?
I am writing from the Garibaldi-Meucci Museum, New York, where I work happily as a Resource Developer. In 2008 I attended the Masters in fundraising (I was the one that surge from Germany) and now I write to you for advice.
I remember very well see you! and your patience with our Don Paul when he translates things ..
The coming year will be our 150th anniversary of Italy and Unita `I thought it might be an interesting anniversary to launch a capital raising. The aim is to provide an Unrestricted Endowment Fund large enough to be able to use the interest to support the operating costs of the museum-which is small. I'd venture a Capital Campaign anomalous and quite ambitious, the new Mille (The New Mille), 1000 and that is, collect donations from many donors, or rather 1089, exactly how many were Garibaldi's landing at Marsala from $ 1000US each .
nice!
The concept is great lines how, thanks to the thousands of volunteers Garibaldi pote `realize its ideals of justice and freedom and unify Italy` well, thanks to the New Mill, the museum named after him will continue to operate, keeping alive the heritage of Italian culture in America. `The naming will play a key role given the nature of the highly symbolic and emotional campaign.
beautiful, but after donors what remains? only naming opportunities? and where in the hall? entrance? where?
So `flat, the campaign would massacre all the teachings received the master (in% of large, medium and small donations)-a sort of communist capital campaign (!) - Or I could aggiusatrla in the sense that, who gives $ 10,000 entitled to 10 naming.
I would say that under 'what gives one receives more' space under an agreement cm / euro (see festival fundraising and sponsor lectures)
Another thought. How to reach 10,000 or more people? I must find a assoulutamente access to means of mass communication, a move some scholars / journalist importantly, short of opinion leaders, or never arrives.
I would say that is not with the mass communications that you can get this kind of donations. It's about doing one for a donor (say between 7000 and 8000) by making personalized face to face, especially if the small museum is absolutely would not use methods such as direct, to limit the phone, better face to face.
But how you ask? 1000 for 1000 EUR 1000.000 ago, I really hope you do not feel all alone could do this type of collection. Note that when you're able to do 500 events a year is a huge success (I'd say 300 is more 'reasonable), then you do the accounts 7000/500 means that at least 7 or 8 people in two years I have help.
It 'obvious that if you can get a sure, if you can get some through donation letters super custom (not mailing) can lower the percentage and take home a donation every three appointments, and in this case requires at least 3000 or 5 appointments -6 people for two years. No less!
It is true that the testimonials are important, But again, to sound the orchestra is important, useful, create emotion, elevates the heart, etc. but the fundraiser is the ticket that charges admission to the concert, is what checks each pay to enter the theater and not only that unleashes the passion.
Why do not we feel via skype? Skype and 'Economic and you can easily see, see you later and thanks and good work!
VM

Paul Ferrara has recently been a teacher at the Master in Fund Raising held a lesson that they say not only the numbers (the votes that each student makes at the end of the lesson the teacher and we need to improve year by year education) but also comments on his blog has hit the target.

I also agree with what he writes (you can read it here or below) on the activity of trainers from which I draw too many ideas, thoughts, ideas and energy to improve not only the training itself, but also how they do fundraising.

Training do not just want to say "talk to an audience, but also listen to this audience, hear their stories, their experiences in fundraising.
Happy reading!

VM
Continue reading »

As has become tradition to greet each January at the time of graduation of the Master's former students and begin a new class (24 in this year of crisis ... a sign that the Master takes!). All upset the program (made off forms and no more 'matters) with many upgrades and improvements, actually a whole new Master, and at the same time with the best retained for new students. First approach with them yesterday and today and I'm just thrilled, a class lively, alert, motivated ... so better every year. I'm happy. Ps I also put my presentation I made at the opening! master presentation pdf

With the lesson of Guy Mallabone on large donors ended the pate theoretical Masters in Fundraising now all students are engaged in their work experience, someone already working and already has a contract, someone has returned to his working life ... we'll see how will. On December 1 it was concluded the contract for the new Master 2010, 10 and December 11 selections. But it is what I speak is the gift that I received at the end of the course by students. I gave a "donation", a true gift to a cause that most 'me like 150 euros! Not bad! I was very impressed and I would like to thank them one by one:

Alfonso Maria Brunetti, Sonia Cefis tania, Colazani Maria Luisa, Francesca Corbo, Dabbagh Jenda Cecilia Di Girolamo Givanna, Alessandra Evangelisti, Feregrino Nilu, Ghinone Alberto Lofino Vincenza, Meo, Renato, Rosalia Ragusa Roberto Nicla, Rochira Carla Science Giorgia , Irene Severini, Spanu Marco Vannucchi Alessandro Vendramin Martina, near Verona, Vigiani Charles Stephen, Federica Zanetti, Loredana match.

I have also sent a ticket, I prefer to keep me but which ends with the phrase ...

.... We have made the bank transfer to the Cooperativa Sociale Onlus Tonino bristle.
Should be arrived today, in case there are problems, no CRO is 11382196510 ref. 99169/5793
Greetings from all the "almost burnt" 2009.

I sent a letter to each of them. Here it is:

Dear Students, almost Colleagues,

Thank you for your gift, really beautiful. And thanks for the wonderful years spent together.

I am in Canada at the conference AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals). Despite the fact that donations in some provinces in Canada is concern (10% in Quebec, - 7% in Ontario, etc.) this is the conference more 'numerous ever held in Canada (1060 participants).
So the situation is ambiguous. On the one hand a growing and renewed interest in this extraordinary profession (certainly the most beautiful, because that has more directly to do with destiny and the desire of every human being), other live moments of great concern.
ISTAT said yesterday that he had never touched the ceiling of two million unemployed in Italy, with peak rates
high among women and in southern Italy.

You prepare to face the world of work, a period that is not among the happiest. I remember avervelo said at the beginning of the course: "finish the Master's course during the period that is supposed to be starting the end of the crisis ...." The forecasts seem right ... At this point my only advice at this precise moment in time and be "flexible", even more than what you were up to now ... If this really is your dream, enter the
fundraising, we must be prepared to accept the situation, the strangest possible just to stay in the area.

I graduated in '91, in the not suspected, when the concept of job insecurity were minimal, and sooner or later everyone aspired, with good reason, for a job "safe". He was hired for an indefinite period of Confcommercio of Bologna, with a top-level contract, and after two years, I quit because I wanted to follow my dream.
I still remember how my hand trembled, his eyes dark of my very good boss (and with whom I would secure career ... became the mayor of Bologna) who shook his head annoyed, and signed my letter of resignation. I left for the United States, with a small scholarship ... I stayed there three years. My beloved father a few years after my return he said "If I'd known life would you have done in the U.S., I would never let go." Until 2001 (the year when I won the competition in University), I spent almost eight years (3 in New York) between minilavoretti, dog sitter, baby
Child, Italian lessons to foreigners, scholarships, bankruptcy, small assignments here and there, contrattini, consulenzine
miscellaneous failures to design, contract assignments occasional ... while in the meantime I have postponed the birth of
my family (in 2001 I was married with a son, and expecting another).

I'm not a hero, (there really need to say!), And are not perfect ... (and this has no doubt even my wife ...) but that I was never comfortable and I have always pursued what I believe I have no doubt. And 'our continuous small change that will change the world. Not the social revolution, of right or left, and even the fundraising. Only us and to our small-big job, we change.

I hope you'll never be quiet.

Best wishes,
VM

She writes Alberto Ghione, a student of Master in Fund Raising of the last edition, which is now in Canada for an internship at the fundraising office of University .

I wrote that just came to have started an e-mail and he has put pen to paper targets (see here ) of his work experience (even on this point from what we learn in Italy on how to treat interns!.)
Read your e-mail if you want to join the next edition of the Master, the entries are open!

Dear Professor, since I had said to be interested to read, The renvio by mail that I have activated sait (mail enabled the 20 days that I have arrived: the first gave me the stilosissimi
Name tags must appear on the jacket during official occasions) the first two reports of scanned my meetings with Mallabone. I also added a copy Solfrini, as we set up to feel from time to time for updates on the Stage. From time to time, I try to send the other. Hello from Canada, and soon!
Alberto

And so it is also closed this year of teaching. Ended with a bang (Guy Mallabone Canada) a beautiful lesson on Major Donor and Major Gift. And greetings to dinner for a wrap-up party at that end of Bertinoro (this was an invitation to dinner made by students! Creative ?!?). Now students are in their internship year is particularly interesting (large organizations and small Italian organizations, but also Spain, Ireland, USA and even Australia). Really Dr. Gianni Solfrini, our man dedicated to meet the wishes and needs of the market has worked very well. Thanks!

A class sui generis, this the 6th year. Hard to get on top, with some unruly elements, and selective, but in the final, had an extraordinary rush that I was really impressed, Class A "sincere" while "sly", who enjoyed play but capable of great leaps. Colleagues are now in a couple dimes, I am convinced that most of their work, make some more 'hard work, but the initial data and' very good.

Two photos from my phone, and a request to all the students told one of three things:

1 - the thing that made me more 'and laugh at the Masters this year

2 - What I learned to admire or enjoy one of my classmate

3 - What do I bring home from this year?

Obviously I would like all of you wrote one, but also are good 2 and 3! Thanks to everyone and we feel soon, because now begin on looking!

The Master in Fund Raising who run things are not only theoretical but also practical. That's why every year the students develop a fundraising plan (true!) For association (real) of the territory.
Followed this path by Paolo Celli, director and founder of the Central Ethics , thanks to its expertise in consulting for nonprofit organizations can actually help students in writing a plan for fundraising and also analyzing the nonprofit organization Association Romagna Cancer Research .
In addition they have also created an event on Facebook (where I put me there are among your friends!) Precisely on Sept. 12, the day of submission of the plan fund-raising.

What can I say? Congratulations to all students, faculty for this great experience!

To those who were there and who was not:

It seems that yesterday was really a great success!
Greater attention by the authorities: Beautiful and Zittignani councilors have their presence felt with an action showing interest in the project and Senator Bianconi, in the last row, curious and attentive to the presentation.
Greater participation dell'ARRT (president, vice president, director, directors, employees and volunteers).
Good response of reporters present Tele Romagna, Il Resto del Carlino, La Voce, ..
Many students and attentive.
After presentation of the legendary Paul Celli (because I really was legendary!) Continue reading »

I wrote here on the blog, I said it in 2006 at the inauguration of the Master in Fund Raising, maybe do not realize it but the nonprofit permeates our lives.

As in the 2006 video that you see above, in 2008 and just next week will host the inauguration of the sixth edition of the Master in Fund Raising for Nonprofit and Public Bodies .
On January 17, 2008 at 10am in the classroom amphitheater Pratella 10/14 Via Forli present the results of the Master, will also take the ex-students and presented certificates.
If you want to know more about the Master, to hear the live testimony of those who attended with success come in Forlì on January 17, waiting for you!

I added the many video testimonials of Master in Fund Raising for Nonprofit and Public Bodies 2006/07 bar here on the right and some even in this post for convenience.

Each time you visit this blog you'll see a different one. Is evidence that stress as the Master in Fund Raising to head for is an opportunity to become professionals in fund raising.

PS: you point out in advance this course "How to find great gifts" that will start in October, organized by the Master in Fund Raising and open to all. A two-day Guy Mallabone, American fundraiser with extensive experience in the field of large donations. If you are interested in participating can request the registration form and fees to coordinamento@master-fundraising.it

27 and April 28, Stephen Pidgeon, a leading expert in branding and direct mail in Britain, chairman of Target , held an extraordinary two days in Forlì, entitled " The Power of Branding: the power of branding in fund raising . " By direct mail, brand, video on fundraising, how to create a brand, with practical and concrete. A real added value for our Master. Although the filter of simultaneous translation, Stephen was able to transfer an intensive know-how and passion for our profession. Has enchanted us, this is the right word: magical!

The course of Pidgeon took place within a series of seminars called Advanced Courses for the Master in Fund Raising with foreign guests only, translated simultaneously, open to all who are interested, not enrolled in the Master. The next appointment is with "Gathering from large donors," Guy Mallabone, fundraising manager at the University of Alberta . Let me know if you are interested! (VM)