Workshops & Events 2005

Keynote Speaker
More Donors, More Dollars: Ramping Up Your Individual Giving Program
DesiOrgs Launch Forum
Columbia University, New York, NY
December 10, 2005, 9:15am – 10:40am

Conference Presenter
Are The Best Things Online Free? Resources to Identify and Profile Prospects
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) 2005 Connecticut Philanthropy Day Conference 
The Trumbull Marriott, Trumbull, CT 
November 17, 2005

Do you need more information about the interests and giving capacity of a prospect you are going to see… wonder who among your core constituents you might target for a major gift or how to prioritize your prospect pool… wish you knew names of more people interested in your type of agency or program, or how to keep up with the latest news about your top prospects? If so, this session is for you. During the workshop, we will access real websites to find out information about a living corporate leader who is also a foundation officer and major donor.

Adjunct Instructor
Course on Fundraising Research and Information Management
New York University, School of Continuing and Professional Studies 
George H. Heyman, Jr. Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising, New York, NY 
September – October, 2005

To help your organization flourish, you need to know how to find and use the tools that will identify and evaluate prospects and track donors. This course covers such topics as prospecting for new donors – including cost-effective research tools and accessing free information – and evaluating a prospect’s ability and inclination to give; storing, retrieving, and disseminating information; confidentiality; and other ethical and legal issues. Basic computer skills required.

Research Track Chair
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Fund Raising Day in New York 
The Marriott Marquis, New York, NY 
June 24, 2005

The Research Track included the following sessions:

• Diggin’ For Gold: Creating a Pipeline from Annual Giving to Major Gifts. 
  Presented by Robert L. Henry, Director of Individual Giving, Yale School of Management.

• Private Company Valuation for Fundraisers: Tools and Techniques. 
  Presented by Aswath Damodaran, Professor of Finance, Leonard Stern School of Business.

• Smarter Surfing: Better Use of Your Web Time. 
  Presented by Sreenath Sreenivasan, Dean of Students, Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

Conference Presenter
What Do You Really Need to Know about Your Prospect for Successful Solicitations?
American Association of Museums (AAM) Annual Meeting & Museum Expo 2005
Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, IN 
May 4, 2005

Presenters:
Eleanor Cicerchi, Development Director, The Corning Museum of Glass.
Karen Johnson, Chief Operating Officer, Target America.
Poonam Prasad, Principal, Prasad Communications & Research.

Profit from a new three-step sequential approach to prospect research that will help development professionals in museums of all sizes prioritize prospects for successful annual, major gifts, and capital gifts fund-raising. Gain valuable tools and tips on screening house lists and rating top prospects. The session concludes with “The Best Things Online Are Free,” a guided tour of free, reliable prospect research sites on the Internet presented by an experienced researcher, who will invite the audience to observe how she compiles a comprehensive prospect profile.

Discussion Leader
Researchers Speak Up!!
New England Development Research Association, Annual Spring Conference 
Sheraton Ferncroft Resort, Danvers, MA 
April 13, 2005

In a world filled with major gift officers exuding confidence and derring-do, how does a professional researcher hold his/her own in the competition for dollar and recognition? Research consultant Poonam Prasad will lead a discussion about when and how to speak up for our profession and your position. The discussion will include two testimonials from researchers who have found their voice and found success!

Presenter
Are the Best things Online Free? Resources to Identify and Profile Prospects
Association of Development Officers (ADO), Fundraising Conference 
Crowne Plaza Hotel, White Plains, NY
April 8, 2005

Do you need more information about the interests and giving capacity of a prospect you are going to see… wonder who among your core constituents you might target for a major gift or how to prioritize your prospect pool… wish you knew names of more people interested in your type of agency or program, or how to keep up with the latest news about your top prospects? If so, this session is for you. During the workshop, we will access real websites to find out information about a living corporate leader who is also a foundation officer and major donor.

Luncheon Speaker
Ahead of the Curve: Using an Audit to Advance Your Research Operation
Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Luncheon Meeting
The Peppermill, Westport CT
Thursday, March 3, 2005, 12:00 – 2:00pm

Presenters:
Poonam Prasad, Founding Principal, Prasad Communications & Research
Gloria Kao, Director of Development Operations, New York-Presbyterian Hospital and Sanford I. Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Is your development shop proactively identifying and qualifying new major gift prospects for your frontline fundraisers or are you still depending on one-size-fits-all reactive research profiles? Are your staff up to speed with the high quality of research tools and information available today? Learn how this development office re-invented its research function and decide whether your own initiative needs a tune up. This case study has applicability for organizations with large research units, staff who multi-task as well as organizations that choose to outsource their research effort. Gloria Kao and Poonam Prasad have previously presented this case study to fundraisers in Minnesota, Washington DC, Boston and New York City.