By Crystie Kisler, Director of Nonprofit Services
This Fall, JCF was pleased to host Jeffrey Cain, Ph.D., founder of Lemolo Bay Advisors and executive director of Jumping Mouse Children’s Center, in offering a seminar titled “Fundraising 101: A Practical Guide to the Elements of Fundraising” for local nonprofit leaders. Jeff brought 25 years of business, nonprofit, and private charitable foundation leadership and consulting experience, including having written two books on philanthropy and fundraising. Over 40 participants from our nonprofit sector participated, in two sessions offered for free at JCF’s Nonprofit Resource Center in Port Townsend.
The seminar explored a relationship-centered approach to donors and fundraising, and created space for local leaders to learn together, make new connections and consider practical ways to strengthen their development plans. Jeff shared insights that can be especially useful in the fourth quarter, when many organizations focus on year-end appeals: fundraising is fundamentally about relationships. The data he presented suggested that donors rarely make decisions through detailed comparisons of organizational performance or outcomes. Instead, people often give because they know someone connected to an organization, value its local work, or feel a shared commitment to its mission. His relationship-centered approach highlighted the importance of listening, building trust over time, and helping donors feel a sense of identity and belonging.
JCF offers workshops in response to the concerns and needs nonprofit leaders identify, while also creating opportunities for learning, connection, and shared resources across Jefferson County’s nonprofit landscape. As local organizations navigate year-end fundraising and the challenges and opportunities of the season, we highlight this lesson from Jeff’s seminar: to center the relationships at the heart of the work! This applies to fundraising but also more broadly to community life in a rural place. We need each other. We are grateful for the extraordinary community of nonprofits, volunteers, and generous donors who keep the work going to care for our county.
