There has been much written recently on the Leadership Deficit that may occur as Baby Boomers retire in the next five years. Nowhere is this concern more justified than in the nonprofit sector in New England, whose leaders were instrumental in the 70’s and 80’s for the spectacular growth of the sector and are now reaching retirement age.

These leaders want to pass on their good work so the next generations of fundraisers continue these gains. However, little has been written about how these leadership transitions can be successful in reducing the negative impact on the financial sustainability of nonprofits inNew Hampshireand beyond. Specifically, how can an organization maintain major donors when their main contact – whether it is the development director, a board member, or executive director – has packed up and moved toFlorida? Will they lose their motivation to continue their support?

We pose these questions to you to consider:

• Is YOUR organization prepared to navigate fundraising transitions without leaving your donors behind?
• Do you have a succession plan that will integrate Gen X and Y young professionals?
• Do you have a strategic fundraising leadership plan that is donor-centered and mission-focused?
• Do you know what young professionals are looking for in a nonprofit career choice?
• Do you have a plan to recruit young board members and train them to be fundraisers?

Principal Presenter Frances Kunreuther, Director of the Building Movement Project and writer and presenter on a variety of issues related to nonprofits, leadership and social change, will explore how organizations can transition staff and board members, and their relationships with donors, to a new generation of fundraisers. She will explain how to change the players without losing the dollars your organization needs today and in the future.

The afternoon panel will be moderated by Stephen Reno of Leadership New Hampshire to explore how organizations can prepare holistically for transition so it is an ongoing process, not a series of   one-time events.

New Hampshire’s nonprofit sector is more important today than ever.  It is imperative that transitions of fundraising leaders create opportunity, not crisis.

 PLUS – Presentation of the 13^th Annual Make-A-Difference Donor Award!