Celebrating 30 Years of Providing Excellence in Fundraising Education
The Council on Fundraising’s mission is to educate and empower the nonprofit community to raise more money for a stronger New Hampshire. CONFR is the sole provider of ongoing statewide, high-quality education in philanthropy and fund development in New Hampshire. Last year, the Council provided 91 educational programs to nearly 1000 fundraisers in every region of the state. Programs focus on best practices in fundraising applications for both nonprofit development staff and their board members. This training helps organizations fulfill their missions in their respective communities while increasing charitable giving throughout the state.
CONFR was founded in 1982 by a small group of fundraising professionals looking for a resource for professional development and networking opportunities. Since then, nearly five thousand individuals have attended our fundraising education and capacity building conferences and workshops. Our membership includes executive directors, development professionals, board members, volunteer fundraisers, funders, fundraising consultants and corporate members from all regions in New Hampshire as well as from Vermont, Southern Maine and Northern Massachusetts.
CONFR presents two day-long Conferences annually, each providing nationally recognized speakers who present the latest trends in philanthropy. Because most NH nonprofit organizations do not have budgets to support professional development through attendance at regional or national conferences, CONFR is committed to bringing experts on philanthropy to New Hampshire.
CONFR’s Regional Workshop Series provides a continuum of learning of enhanced, specialized, regional education for a broad spectrum of development professionals and volunteer fundraisers, from beginner through advanced. Workshops are created and presented in every region of the state as demand warrants. Current courses include:
- Fundamentals in Fundraising: “Raise it Right!”
- Best Practices for Development Professionals
- Essentials in Fundraising for Nonprofit Boards
- How to Prepare for a Capital Campaign
- Major Gifts
- Making the Ask
- Effective Case Statements
- Foundation Research and Grant Writing
- Special Events
- Planned Giving/Legacy Programs
- Raising Endowment Funds
- Creating Development Plans
- Development Assessments
- Ethical Fundraising-Whose Responsibility is it?
- Building Email Relationships
- Social Media to Build Relationships and Attract Donors
- Ramping Up Fundraising When the Economy is Down
- CFRE Study Series
- NH Grants Institute (3-days) – in collaboration with the NH Center for Nonprofits
CONFR to Go will bring these workshops or others designed especially for your organization to your place at your time. This is a great way to train board members during their regularly scheduled meetings.
Our Coffee with CONFR series provides free bi-monthly networking and peer-to-peer learning opportunities on topics of interest with colleagues in local areas. Coffees currently are held in Littleton, Gorham, Lebanon, Portsmouth, Conway, Plymouth, Concord, Manchester and Nashua.
CONFR’s programs also prepare participants to apply for their CFRE certification (Certified Fund Raising Executive) – the only internationally-recognized baseline professional credential for philanthropic fundraising executives. CONFR is an approved provider of continuing education for CFRE. The CFRE designation enhances the professional image of the entire nonprofit sector, and can help an individual improve their career opportunities, prepare for greater responsibilities, demonstrate commitment to employers, develop skills for community leadership, while fostering peer recognition and credibility.
CONFR envisions a future when the work of dedicated and highly trained development professionals and volunteer fundraisers inspires a level of philanthropy that transforms New Hampshire’s nonprofit organizations and builds stronger communities throughout the state.
