Ambassador Programs That Will Boost Your Bottom Line
Session 7F

Session Description: 

This interactive session will help you design ambassador programs that are vital to your organization's bottom line. You’ll learn from the experiences of donor relations professionals at the Union of Concerned Scientists, World Wildlife Fund, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology about how ambassador programs have enhanced their donor relations, retention, and fundraising strategies. They'll describe their journeys establishing high-level donor councils and advisory boards; mid-level donor engagement programs; next generation “circles”; online ambassador programs; and activist engagement programs—leaving plenty of time for questions and discussion.

Shop Size
Suitable for any shop size

Experience Level
Suitable for any level

Sectors
Private College/University
Public College/University
Private Secondary School
Healthcare
Religious Organization
Arts Organization
Foundation
Environmental Organization
Advocacy Organization
Social Services
Other Nonprofit

Categories
Donor Experience
Donor Loyalty
Donor Retention
Events
Major Donors
Relationship-Building
Volunteer Management

About the Speakers: 

Malika McCray
Director of Stewardship
Union of Concerned Scientists

Malika McCray is Director of Stewardship at the Union of Concerned Scientists. She designs reporting, engagement and acknowledgment strategies for UCS’s donor base across giving levels, and is responsible for maintaining and increasing the strong retention and loyalty of UCS membership. Malika leads multiple cross-team initiatives, helping shape organizational messages for consistent, donor-focused themes and ensuring a steady flow of donor engagement opportunities. She served as a UCS Development Officer for several years and has nearly 15 years of experience fundraising for organizations focused on social justice, health and the environment. Malika holds a Master's Degree from Tufts University where she studied twentieth century movements for social change.

Jeff Muller
Director, Donor Communications and Stewardship
World Wildlife Fund

Jeff Muller is Director of Donor Communications & Stewardship at World Wildlife Fund. His team produces strategic work that cultivates, solicits, and stewards the institution's donors, reinforcing WWF's mission and vision of a world where people live in harmony with nature. With more than two decades of philanthropy, marketing, and communications experience, Jeff has spent the past seventeen years helping to advance environmental organizations of all sizes. In that time he has leveraged a variety of communications and engagement platforms to build strong relationships and spur programmatic growth. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he serves on the board of ADRP.

Corey Smentek
Associate Director, Donor Relations and Stewardship
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Corey Smentek is the associate director of donor relations and stewardship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In her role, she leads the development and execution of both broad-based and individualized stewardship plans for major and principal gift donors. Corey started at MIT in 2007 and began her tenure in trustee relations before entering the development world to focus on volunteer management of the Corporation Development Committee, a standing committee of the MIT Corporation that secures critical financial resources for the Institute. Since joining donor relations and stewardship, Corey's work has encompassed a wide-array of areas ranging from acknowledgments to reporting, recognition, and engagement.