Tools, Techniques and Trends for Nonprofit Fundraising

Instructors: Kim Hunt and Kandace Thomas

Course Details

Dates: May 3, 10
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Room 289A

You must attend both sessions.
An RSVP is required: http://harrisschool.uchicago.edu/content/tools-techniques-and-trends-nonprofit-fundraising-rsvp  

Course Overview

All professionals interested in public policy, nonprofit management and systems change, need to better understand the complexities and nuances of nonprofit fundraising.  This workshop will provide Harris School students with little or no knowledge about nonprofit management with a thorough introduction to the tools and techniques in effective fundraising.  It will also provide students with an overview of the trends in the field of fundraising, components of fundraising including foundation fundraising and some of the capacity tools needed to be effective fundraisers.  This workshop is lead by two Harris School alumna with experience in nonprofit management, and organizational capacity building from perspectives of both a fundraiser and a grantmaker.  Participants will leave the two-day workshop with a general understanding of fundraising in the nonprofit sector, the process for foundation fundraising and knowledge of how to build capacity to be effective fundraisers.  Students with little or no experience in nonprofit work, or who are looking to build their knowledge about fundraising are invited to register for this workshop.  

Kim L. Hunt became Affinity Community Services’ (Affinity’s) first executive director in May 2009. During her tenure Affinity continues its transition from a direct service/ community building model to a model with more emphasize on policy and advocacy issues that affect a broader range of marginalized people and queer communities of color in particular. Affinity is a Chicago-based social justice organization that works with and on behalf of Black LGBTQ communities, queer youth, and allies to identify emergent needs, create safe spaces, develop leaders, and bridge communities through collective analysis and action for social justice, freedom, and human rights.

In addition to overseeing the organization’s operations, Ms. Hunt is responsible for the outcomes of Affinity’s initiatives in health and wellness, civic engagement, leadership development, and immigration reform. Ms. Hunt is a member of the National Black Justice Coalition’s Leadership Advisory Council, a member of the Leadership Team for the ROOTS Coalition, a social justice group consisting of queer and transgender people of color, and a host of other coalitions and human rights efforts.

Prior to becoming executive director, Ms. Hunt served on the board of Affinity for two years and chaired the Development Committee. She also co-founded O-H Community Partners (OHcp), a national strategy and technology consulting firm. Ms. Hunt is a graduate of the University of Chicago’s Harris School for Public Policy Studies and has a master’s degree in urban planning and policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is a published author, who has written and presented research papers on public policy, transportation planning and policy, and social justice.

Kandace Thomas provides organizational development, strategic planning, fundraising expertise and other capacity building assistance to a variety of nonprofit organizations. Currently, she is a program officer at the Irving Harris Foundation working to build systems for young children on the local, regional and national level.  In this role, she works closely with early childhood advocacy and public policy organizations, domestic violence, reproductive justice and social justice organizations.  Kandace is also a founder and co-director of Camp Sojourner, the only affordable, overnight, sleep-away camp for Philadelphia girls. Kandace’s other experiences include the Management Division in City of Chicago’s Office of Budget and Management, a public interest law firm, and a policy consulting firm where she helped clients develop legislative agendas, restructure boards of directors and coordinate fundraising initiative for organizations that worked with children and families. 
Kandace has a Masters Degree in Public Policy from the University of Chicago’s Irving B. Harris School of Public Policy Studies and a BA in Sociology and African American Studies from Wesleyan University. Kandace is a very active member of the community.  She is a Big Sister with Big Brothers Big Sisters, is on the Board of Directors of Camp of Dreams, a Chicago-based organization providing summer camp and academic enrichment programs for youth and an active volunteer in other capacities.