Session 9C - Do It Write: Creating Substance and Style for Your

Acknowledgment Letters

Friday, September 21, 2012
11:05 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.

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Description: Session presenters (Matt Engelhardt at Emory, Marie Gibbons at OSU, and Lori Green at UAB) have experience in writing acknowledgement letters and correspondence for healthcare institutions, small not-for-profit organizations, large not-for-profit organizations, and academic institutions.  In addition to defining best practices and providing language tips to convey gratitude and identify impact, they will help define best practices and identify particular processes, thinking, and language for writing powerful letters that detail philanthropic impact, express gratitude, and effectively steward your philanthropic partners.

Sector: Higher Education
Expertise Level: Suitable for all levels
Shop Size: Suitable for any size shop
Subject Focus: Acknowledgments

Speaker Bio: Matt Engelhardt

Matt Engelhardt currently serves as Senior Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations at Emory University. Prior to his current position, Matt worked in the development office at Emory’s Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center. Matt has also worked in residence life at Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Kentucky (2012 NCAA men’s basketball champs!), and on the headquarters staff of a national fraternity. He is also the proud owner of a very well-trained 3-year-old golden doodle.

Speaker Bio: Marie Gibbons

Marie Gibbons has over 14 years’ experience in the field of Donor Relations.  Her current role at Ohio State has her drafting gift agreements, endowment descriptions, and naming resolutions, along with training and supporting staff in the use of Blackbaud BBEC.  She also oversees and supports the acknowledgment process across campus.  Before that she drafted correspondence for the University President and Senior Vice President for Advancement.  She previously worked at the American Heart Association and was part of a four member development team supporting five inner city and four suburban YMCAs.  She has experience in a plethora of fundraising activities!

Speaker Bio: Lori Green

Lori E. Green is Assistant Director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.  Previously, Lori was Director of Investor Relations at Otterbein University, Special Events Manager at Mount Carmel Health Systems Foundation (Columbus, OH), and PR Director for the Community Mental Health and Recovery Board and Licking Memorial Hospital.  She also has written correspondence and fundraising materials for small not-for-profits including VOICEcorps, Granville Education Foundation, and WHO/Ohio.  Lori received her BA from Denison University and MLS from Kent State University.  She is separated from Kevin Bacon by only three degrees.