WITH ANDREA COTA AVILA (SHE/HER) AND MARINE BRICHARD (SHE/HER)

CAREER STAGE: EARLY CAREER
KNOWLEDGE LEVEL: BASIC/BEGINNER
FUNCTIONAL AREA: FUNDRAISING • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • BOARD MEMBERS

The first breakout session, we will be covering the basics of community-centric fundraising: the history of philanthropy, how it can be problematic, and how a movement strives to evolve how fundraising is done in the nonprofit sector. We will also be discussing the topic of decolonizing wealth and the nonprofit industrial complex.

The second breakout session will focus on how to apply the movement to nonprofit fundraising so we can dismantle white supremacy practices a sector. Attendants will also engage in group conversations and discussions that will allow them to reflect on their philanthropic journeys. Lastly, attendants will engage in activities that will help them start applying community-centric values to their current fundraising practices.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• History of philanthropy in America
• Philanthropy and its problems today
• Community Centric Fundraising Model
• How to apply the CCF model through fundraising practices

What the audience will take away from this session is a new outlook on philanthropy and the nonprofit sector, as well as why it's important for nonprofits to practice racial equity so they're no longer perpetuating inequities.

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

ANDREA COTA AVILA (SHE/HER) | COLORADOIMMIGRANT.ORG

Andrea Cota Avila (she/her) is a first-generation immigrant from Mexico based in Denver, Colorado. She currently works as a development manager for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, a nonprofit organization that advocates for all immigrants regardless of their immigration status. Andrea defines herself as a new fundraiser, community advocate, hiker, yogi, and lifelong learner. When she’s not going on an adventure, you can find her tending to her many plants or finding the next activity that keeps her busy. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or email at andrea@coloradoimmigrant.org.

MARINE BRICHARD (SHE/HER) | COLORADOIMMIGRANT.ORG

Marine Brichard (she/her/hers) is an immigrant from Belgium currently living in Colorado and working for the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition. She is passionate about fighting for immigrant rights and creating a world where everyone is able to move freely. Marine is excited about reimagining the field of fundraising to one that centers community, equity, and justice. She loves challenges and adventures, hiking and running (somehow), and learning Arabic. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or email at marine@coloradoimmigrant.org.

WITH MARTÍN CARCASSON, PH.D. (HE/HIM)

CAREER STAGE: EARLY CAREER • MID-CAREER • ADVANCED CAREER
KNOWLEDGE LEVEL: BASIC/BEGINNER • INTERMEDIATE • EXPERT 
FUNCTIONAL AREA: BOARD MEMBERS • COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING • DIRECT SERVICE/PROGRAM STAFF • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • FUNDRAISING • HUMAN RESOURCES • VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Martín Carcasson, Ph.D., Communication Studies Professor at CSU and the director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation, will run this session focused on the concepts of wicked problems, deliberative engagement, and how people can engage value arguments more productively, particularly across differences. The first half of the workshop will focus on key concepts and tools from the CPD’s 16 years of work in northern Colorado, and then a more interactive second half will focus on what lessons can be drawn from those concepts to help bring people together across perspectives on issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion in more productive, collaborative ways. 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Understand why it is so difficult to talk about tough issues without getting polarized
• Learn what can we do individually as leaders to elevate our conversations
• Explore what can we do in our communities
• Understand how this can apply to efforts regarding equity

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

MARTÍN CARCASSON, PH.D (HE/HIM) | CPD.COLOSTATE.EDU

Martín Carcasson, Ph.D., is a professor in the Communication Studies department of Colorado State University, the founder and director of the CSU Center for Public Deliberation (CPD), and a faculty member for CSU’s newly minted Masters in Public Policy and Administration program. He also works closely with ICMA and the National Civic League, running workshops on public engagement, and served as the chair of the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation’s Board of Directors from 2016-2021. He is currently serving as a faculty resource for the International City/County Manager’s Association Leadership Institute on Race, Equity, and Inclusion.   

WITH NANCY GEDEON (SHE/HER) & ADAM BICKFORD (HE/HIM)

CAREER STAGE: EARLY CAREER • MID-CAREER • ADVANCED CAREER
KNOWLEDGE LEVEL: BASIC/BEGINNER • INTERMEDIATE • EXPERT
FUNCTIONAL AREA: FUNDRAISING • EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS • DIRECT SERVICE/PROGRAM STAFF • COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING • BOARD MEMBERS

Community-level data is critical for understanding community needs and opportunities, determining the best approaches for addressing those needs, and developing a case for support for use in grant proposals and fundraising materials. Part I of this breakout session will provide key findings from Census 2020 for Colorado and the northern Front Range. The data reveal critical trends impacting the area’s housing, labor force, economy, and service demands for the next few years and decades. The session will discuss the short and long-run implications for local governments, businesses, human service providers, and others to help them adapt to the challenges. Part II is a practical workshop in which participants will learn how to access and navigate federal and state data sources. Additional topics include best practices for data use and interpretation, limitations of various data sources, and an explanation of race and ethnicity categories used by the Census Bureau. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their own laptop so they can follow along during the workshop portion of the session.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Identify best practices for using community-level data in the nonprofit sector
• Recognize the limitations of data for understanding complex community issues
• Gain insight into local trends and emerging themes in contemporary community data
• Use state and local databases to locate and interpret data for use in program design and evaluation, communications, strategic planning, and fundraising appeals

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

NANCY GEDEON (SHE/HER) | DEMOGRAPHY.DOLA.COLORADO.GOV

Nancy Gedeon joined the State Demography Office in April 2020 as a demographer, focusing on producing population estimates for all of Colorado’s counties and municipalities. She has a background in urban planning, and experience with local government and community development from her 14 years as a demographic analyst for Douglas County, Colorado. Nancy has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, a master’s degree in urban planning and development from Cleveland State University, and is certified with the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP).

ADAM BICKFORD (HE/HIM) | DEMOGRAPHY.DOLA.COLORADO.GOV

Adam Bickford is the Outreach Coordinator for the State Demography Office. He has multiple years of experience as a policy analyst in the arts, K-12 education, and energy efficiency.  He holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago. He provides outreach and educational services for the 2020 Census and is the developer of the Colorado Demographic Profiles application.

WITH JAMIE "JR" RASMUSSEN (SHE/HER) AND INDIA PHOENIX (SHE/HER)

CAREER STAGE: EARLY CAREER
KNOWLEDGE LEVEL: BASIC/BEGINNER
FUNCTIONAL AREA: COMMUNICATIONS/MARKETING • BOARD MEMBERS • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • FUNDRAISING • HUMAN RESOURCES • VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Nonprofits serve a variety of audiences - from donors, funders, community partners, and community members - each requiring a unique voice and compassionate understanding. Attendees of this session will develop an understanding of ethical storytelling to move their mission forward. Through discussion, examples, and practical exercises, attendees will understand and identify “poverty porn” as seen in traditional nonprofit marketing, and instead learn equitable ways to acknowledge community needs from the root cause. Our traditional systems are the problem - not the individual. Together we will explore definitions of diversity and challenge attendees bias’ to craft inclusive messaging.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Attendees will leave the session with a better understanding of ethical storytelling and asset framing;
• Understand and identify “poverty porn” and equitable ways to acknowledge community needs - the system as the problem, not the person.
• Understand and acknowledge reparations when requesting a BIPOC perspective or participation
• Understand the diversity within the BIPOC community and challenge their own biases when crafting inclusive messaging

ABOUT THE PRESENTERS

INDIA PHOENIX (SHE/THEY) | LAINDIAPHOENIX.COM

India is the “Branding Bruja”. She is a purpose-driven storyteller passionate about bringing brands to life. Working with brands of all sizes, India specializes in crafting marketing strategies that are rooted in authenticity. They are committed to helping brands come to life both online and in the real world and understand that the key to top-notch branding is a whole lot of strategy with a dash of magic.  

As an Afro-indigenous professional, India emphasizes and prioritizes diverse, equitable, and inclusive messaging without compromising brand integrity. With years of experience in both the for-profit and nonprofit sector, India has learned brands benefit most from authentic storytellers who captivate audiences and create raving fans.  

India is host of the podcast, Branding Bruja, where they offer branding tips and tricks for businesses of all sizes to implement into their marketing strategy. India also offers Branding Bruja classes, workshops, and consultations in Developing a Brand Identity, SEO branding, Inclusive Marketing, and Social Media Marketing.  

JAMIE "JR" RASMUSSEN (SHE/HER) | BIPOCALLIANCE.ORG

Jamie Rasmussen, also known as JR, is a communications and marketing professional dedicated to community change. JR received a bachelor’s degree from Bradley University in 2010, graduating with several communication and leadership awards. From there, JR’s career began in Chicago’s advertising industry where she managed multi-million-dollar advertising budgets for automotive clients. Eager for nicer weather and mountain views, in 2015 JR began leading the marketing efforts for local Colorado chain, Rio Grande Mexican Restaurants, based in Fort Collins, Colorado. After establishing herself in the community, JR accepted a position with United Way of Larimer County as Director of Marketing & Engagement, and today she serves as the Program Director for The BIPOC Alliance of Larimer County.

Once settled in Colorado, JR noticed the lack of diversity within her community - the missing voices and perspectives in decision making, the lack of awareness and perspective in business decisions. JR identifies as a mixed-race Hispanic woman and acknowledges her privileges of her mixed-race identity. JR is pursuing a Master of Public Policy and Administration at Colorado State University to further systemic change in northern Colorado. JR is a very dedicated aunt to four nieces and one nephew - they are JR’s inspiration and motivation to make systemic change for future generations.

WITH SYAH B. (SHE/HER; THEY/THEM)

CAREER STAGE: EARLY CAREER • MID-CAREER • ADVANCED CAREER
KNOWLEDGE LEVEL: BASIC/BEGINNER • INTERMEDIATE • EXPERT
FUNCTIONAL AREA: BOARD MEMBERS • COMMUNICATIONS/ MARKETING • DIRECT SERVICE/PROGRAM STAFF • EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP • FUNDRAISING • HUMAN RESOURCES • VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT

Oppressive systems are designed to keep us disconnected from each other and especially ourselves.   Identity is not just a label, it impacts the way we interact with the world and vice versa. Many of us are conditioned to assimilate rather than embrace our own authenticity.  This dynamic workshop will allow participants to explore identity through transformative activities and facilitated conversations.  Not only will participants be challenged to embrace their values, they will also leave with a greater understanding of their personal needs and become more aware of the needs of others.  We'll explore the nuances of privilege, importance of affinity, and practice early empathy skills that can be utilized in personal and professional settings.  Authenticity maximizes our effectiveness.  Are you ready to re:connect?

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Explore self-identity through experiential exercises designed to deepen self-compassion and understanding while building understanding of identities different from the self.
• Develop early dialogue and empathy skills that will improve participant's ability to assess for need and validate experiences of people different from themselves.
• Begin to radicalize the understanding of self-care, privilege, and affinity through a strength-based lens not rooted in capitalist ideals.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER

SYAH B. (SHE/HER; THEY/THEM) | DEEPDIVEDEI.COM

Syah is a creative strategist, able to design and facilitate transformative experiences that expand one’s awareness of themselves, other cultures, and oppressive systems. Their goal is to shift our standards for workplace culture to be more sustainable and empowering for marginalized communities.  A seasoned social justice educator & dialogue facilitator, Syah is able to use their counseling psychology background to unveil hard truths in intentional ways that can be received, processed, and acted upon.