The Ready, Set, Fundraise! (Nonprofit Management Essentials) workshop covers nonprofit management best practices with a goal of creating a sustainable organization. Funders look for proper accounting procedures, internal controls, a strong and active board of directors, consistent program evaluation and mission-based strategic planning. Participants work through the steps necessary to ensure their organizations have a strong foundation in order to be prepared to fundraise.

You will learn:

• the role relationship plays in securing funding
• how to write a clear and concise explanation of your mission
• how to construct a compelling need statement
• what funders look for in a budget
• the importance of evaluating programs to determine if they meet the community need
• the basics of nonprofit accounting and strong internal controls
• the necessary actions that are required for the organization to comply with government reporting guidelines, unders' requests, and good stewardship
• how to differentiate between the roles of the executive director and the board of directors
• to identify the elements of a strategic plan and how to track progress towards meeting the plan's goals

Tuition: $320 Members, $640 Non-members

Instructor: Karen Revels, Sr. Manager of Philanthropy, Edyth Bush Institute for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Leadership 

Karen Revels is the Senior Manager of Philanthropy at the Edyth Bush Institute overseeing the Annual Philanthropy Conference, symposiums, research projects, and The Donors Forum of Central Florida.  In addition, she oversees the Leadership Certificate and executive transition and advanced fundraising programs and is an instructor for many Institute workshops.   

Karen has more than 16 years of nonprofit management and fundraising experience in roles as Executive Director with The American Cancer Society and the International Fibrodisplaysia Ossificans Progressiva Association; and as Development Director with The Jewish Community Center and the Institute of Internal Auditors.  In addition, she founded the Howard Middle School Foundation, most recently serving as President; served as a foster parent; and regularly volunteers with Lake Eola Charter School, Trinity Lutheran School, and First Presbyterian Orlando. 

She was awarded the Women of Distinction Award from the Citrus Council of Girl Scouts, is a graduate of Leadership Orlando Class 69 and Leadership Brevard Class 2005.  She received a B.S. in Public Administration from University of Central Florida and will complete her Professional Masters of Science in Management from the University of Central Florida in July 2015.