21st Century Fundraising – Hitting the Trifecta: Three Core Fundraising Strategies for Success in and Beyond the Pandemic

In the best of circumstances, a number of factors impact an organization’s capacity for fundraising success, not the least of which include competing interests for your donors’ attention and dollars as well as available time and program resources. Now managers must calibrate program activities for a “new normal” and unconventional ways to connect their prospects and donors with the mission despite an unprecedented amount of communication noise and confusion.

In this “back to basics” presentation, Melanie will use relevant research to highlight the three key strategies to focus on for short- and long-term fundraising and fund raiser success.  These strategies will be supplemented with practical tips to ensure attendees are utilizing the database tools at their disposal to increase their institution’s capacity.

Melanie J. Norton

Melanie J. Norton is passionate about philanthropy and the success of individuals and organizations that enhance the world in which we live. As an accomplished professional and leader, Melanie fueled her drive to make a meaningful impact with nonprofits and individuals throughout the nation by founding Norton Philanthropic Counsel (NPC). Her unique and broad-based background blends for-profit and not-for-profit experience in both business and fundraising. This specialized lens provides for a deep and comprehensive understanding of traditional business practice and allows her a creative, intentional and outcomes-focused perspective. Melanie’s experience helps her provide the highly customized and relationship-focused strategies needed for client success. She possesses an unwavering commitment to authenticity and honesty in her work.​

Prior to the launch of NPC, Melanie was most recently the vice president for development and alumni engagement at DePauw University where she led the University to more than $320 million of a successful $383 million comprehensive campaign, surpassing the original goal some 2 ½ years in advance of the campaign’s end. In this role, Melanie oversaw the strategy and fundraising efforts for the University and restructured and managed a staff of nearly 40 full-time development and alumni professionals.