Step-Up Your Digital Fundraising:
Best Practices to Build a Program
and Engage Donors
Thursday, February 3, 2022
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
$35 Members | $45 Non-Members
Registration closes at 5:00 p.m. on February 2nd
Donor behavior and preferences have changed and will continue to evolve. With more fundraising happening online, it’s critical for nonprofits to adopt virtual communications plans and fundraising strategies that elevate their cause, attract wider audiences, and forge long-term relationships with donors.
If you’re looking to optimize your digital fundraising game, join us for an exciting presentation with representatives from The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center who will present on the organization’s successful Annual Fund and Cycle for the Cause digital fundraising initiatives, which have raised more than $17 million towards HIV/AIDS research and programming. WID is excited to present this exceptional initiative to our community. Presenters will share their experience about what works and what doesn’t, discuss trends and practices in peer-to-peer fundraising, show how to effectively engage a community through compelling storytelling, and much more.
Panelists
David Hovey (he, him)
Director of Fundraising Initiatives
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
David's passion for philanthropy stems from his drive to help every person become a champion for good in whatever way is right for them. He joined The LGBT Community Center in 2017 as the Cycle for the Cause Coordinator, overseeing the recruitment, fundraising, and execution of The Center's annual 3-day, 275-mile charity bike ride from Boston to New York City to raise funds specifically for The Center's HIV prevention, education, and support programming. Now serving as Director of Fundraising Initiatives, David wears multiple hats and helps to lead The Center's Development team in creating strategy around special events, peer-to-peer fundraising efforts, and departmental operations. Prior to working at The Center, David worked as an MST (Multisystemic Therapy) therapist for a nonprofit based in Brooklyn, NY, working with adjudicated youth and their families. David holds a bachelor's degree in Counseling and Human Services and a master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from The University of Scranton in Scranton, PA. In his spare time, David is passionate about staying up-to-date on the latest political news, as well as tuning into the greatest pop hits of the day.
Eugene Lovendusky (all pronouns welcome)
Individual and Planned Giving Manager
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center
A lifelong volunteer and activist, Eugene describes himself as "a creative fundraiser with a knack for getting it done!" As The Center's Individual and Planned Giving Manager, he focuses on the membership program and legacy society, as well as special campaigns for Pride and Holiday Year-End giving by leveraging The Center's digital communication, social media, and direct mail techniques. Known as the team’s storyteller, Eugene also enjoys fundraising logistics, data, experimentation and improving efficiencies.
Leah Munnelly (She, Her)
Assistant Vice President
CCS Fundraising
Leah is an Assistant Vice President at CCS Fundraising, a global nonprofit fundraising consultant firm. Leah believes in the capacity of nonprofits to enrich the quality of people’s lives and is passionate about helping organizations accomplish their goals. Leah’s current client is The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (The Center) where she serves as the Interim Senior Director of Development. In this role, Leah manages a team of nine, serves on the senior leadership team, and oversees all functions of the development office to achieve the $5 million revenue goal, including major gift cultivation and solicitation. Her other professional highlights include serving as the Interim Chief Development Officer for Nemours Children’s Health System in Orlando; managing Lehigh Valley Health Network’s $100 million campaign which exceeded its goal by $22 million; and assisting Boys & Girls Club of America develop strategies around their $1 billion movement through “Big Bet” philanthropy.
Moderator
Jaime Abbott
Director of Development and Communications
HousingPlus.
For over 7 years, Jaime served as the Senior Director of Individual Giving at Safe Horizon, the nation’s largest nonprofit victim services agency. She developed an annual major giving program focused on increasing donor loyalty and commitment to the organization’s work, leading to the generation of year-over-year revenue growth. Jaime enjoys getting to personally know the organization’s donors and connecting them on a personal level with the life-changing work Safe Horizon does.
She has over 15 years of fundraising experience, including prior positions at Habitat for Humanity – NYC and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, as well as volunteer experience fundraising for domestic violence shelters, animal shelters and youth sports programs. Prior to committing to the nonprofit sector full-time, Jaime worked several years in various areas of the legal field, including as a paralegal and a Judge’s Bailiff.
Jaime holds a Masters of Public Administration in Nonprofit Organization Management from Seton Hall University, a Masters of Arts in Ancient & Medieval History from Ohio University and Bachelors of Arts in Economics Management and History from Ohio Wesleyan University.
More About The Center
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center empowers people to lead healthy, successful lives. The Center celebrates our diversity and advocates for justice and opportunity. Founded in 1983 and located in the heart of New York's West Village, The Center is a home and resource hub for the LGBTQ community, New Yorkers, and visitors, providing a place to connect and engage, find camaraderie and support, and celebrate the vibrancy and growth of the LGBTQ community. The Center fosters a welcoming environment where everyone is celebrated for who they are. The Center's robust catalog of in-person and virtual programs and services spans the areas of advocacy, health and wellness, recovery, youth, parenthood and family support services, and arts and culture. To learn more about The Center, please visit gaycenter.org.