Vice President Rob Kusel to discuss Moves Management in Major Gifts Fundraising:

From his vast major donor experience, Rob Kusel will share successful practices to effectively move donors and prospects into major gift status. Discover tried-and-true methods of harnessing your prospect base’s real philanthropic potential.  (More Information)

New Students Residence Campaign  

Essex & Drake was chosen by San Rafael-based Guide Dogs for the Blind to lead its $10M Student Residence Renovation Campaign. Built in 1968, the current dormitory requires a large infusion of resources in order to meet current building standards.  These include seismic upgrades, ADA compliance, energy efficiency and green certification, as well as life safety systems, HVAC, and other infrastructure needs.

Rob Kusel will be the lead consultant on this project: “Guide Dogs has put together a tremendous team of executive staff and volunteers to lead this campaign to successful completion. It’s a true pleasure to be working with this talented group of dedicated individuals to support this worthwhile project.”

Tom Horton, Acting Director of Development adds: “We recently hired Essex and Drake as campaign counsel  for our new student residence capital campaign. We were very impressed with their experience, professionalism and enthusiasm.  We will be working with Vice President Rob Kusel who is high energy, has a wealth of fundraising knowledge and is fun to work with.  I am confident it will  be a successful campaign.”

For information about the scope of this project, please visit this link.

For additional information on the GDB Student Residence Renovation Campaign, please contact rob@essexdrake.com

Essex & Drake Directing San Francisco's St Anthony Foundation $15M Dining Room Capital Campaign. February 2011

Click HERE to view the St. Anthony's Dining Room Case Statement.

Essex & Drake Consultant Chuck Cole spoke on January 27, 2010 at Channing House, Palo Alto, to members of the San Jose and Monterrey regions about current trends in fund development impacting the Aging Services Community. 25 Executives for the Continuum of Care Retirement Communities were present, as well as associate companies such as PharMerica, Salient Networks, and Hospital Purchasing Services, Inc, who provide delivery services to the ASC industry.

Our congratulations go to AFP Silicon Valley Chapter member Sharon Svensson as the 2009 Chapter Service Award recipient. Sharon joins a list of distinguished fundraising leaders in Silicon Valley who have been past recipients of this prestigious award. The award is given annually in recognition of sustained work as a Chapter volunteer and leader and for enhancing the fundraising profession by being a role model for fellow Chapter members. 

“She would rather light one candle than curse the darkness…” was first used to describe Eleanor Roosevelt, but can also be applied to Sharon Svensson.

Sharon, President of Essex & Drake Fundraising Counsel, has been a leader with AFP SVC for a number of years; she has served on its board in several capacities, including a term as President. Sharon continues to impact both nonprofit organizations and her colleagues in impactful ways; she is always willing and able to give assistance when asked.  It is always her intention to improve the outcome of the particular project. As a result, things turn out to be a lot better when Sharon is involved.

Since joining AFP SVC in 1995 she has devoted her time and expertise to advancing philanthropy in Silicon Valley. To enhance the business operation of the Chapter between board meetings, Sharon created the board Executive Committee. Now each standing committee has an Executive Committee representative providing guidance and assistance with AFP SVC policies and other issues that arise.

While working closely with the Education Committee, Sharon developed the Chapter’s Scholar Program and served as a “Super Mentor” to scholars for three years. She has been particularly outstanding in her years of involvement on the Nominations and Selections Committee for Silicon Valley Philanthropy Day, AFP SVC’s annual awards ceremony and luncheon celebrating philanthropic individuals, groups and corporations where she refined the process of working with judging panels. By meticulously documenting and cataloging all communications and other relevant documents, she has provided an invaluable record for those who will succeed her.

Debra Jones, Director of Development at Downtown College Prep, describes Sharon as being “organized and meticulous without being officious. She offers insights and options – always in her quiet, yet convincing manner and she is gracious and caring. I have never heard Sharon turn down a personal request to contribute her talents to any chapter endeavor. When you ask Sharon to do something you can be assured that it will be done in the most competent and caring manner and the result will be superb.”

Marie Bernanrd, CEO of Project HIRED, states: "I was fortunate to have Sharon Svensson as my mentor during my first year in AFP.  Sharon was a wise and experienced coach as I worked on my first large capital and endowment campaign. Her focused approach gave me a wonderful perspective on how to lay the groundwork for a successful feasibility study and ultimately a fundraising campaign.  Sharon’s knowledge of major donor fundraising is a great benefit to Silicon Valley nonprofits."

Sharon is an extraordinary fundraising professional who has had a tremendous impact on numerous fundraising professionals in Silicon Valley, several of whom were past recipients of this award. AFP Silicon Valley Chapter is pleased and honored to recognize Sharon Svensson for her exemplary work promoting the best of fundraising and philanthropy in our region.

Thank you and congratulations, Sharon!

CAN Building Strong Nonprofits Workshop Evaluation - Rob Kusel

Rob,

Happy New Year! We finally have your Building Strong Nonprofits workshop evaluation.

As you'll see, you received high marks across the board with 96% rating your Clarity of presentation as Outstanding or Excellent and again 96% on your Ability to engage the audience .

You can't get better than comments like this: "Rob was amazing, informative and engaging. This has been the best session I've attended in 5 yrs of fundraising conferences and seminars. Kudos!"

Congratulations on a terrific job.

Thanks,

Gregg Davidson
Director of Education
California Association of Nonprofits
520 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 695
Los Angeles, CA 90071

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QUOTES FROM EVALUATION SURVEY

Rob was amazing, informative and engaging. This has been the best session I've attended in 5 years of fundraising conferences and seminars. Kudos!

Bill Gates on Speed!

Excellent presented materials. High energy. Best presentation

Excellent blueprint for major fundraiser programs

Provided tools for future growth. What to look for/what need in basic easy to follow steps

Excellent! A lot of information that can be used with Board & Solicitors

Found out I need a lot of help.

Excellent presentation--great demeanor and accessibility

Very enthusiastic. Glad he brought a lot of his personal experiences & real life experiences

Great info. Love the handout. Thanks!

The Napa Gunners Soccer Team (NVSC Boys U14 D III) swept their 2nd season tournament to win first place in the 2006 Mad River Redwood Classic held in Arcata.

Lead by captains Horacio Arcila Jr. and Omar Delgadillo, the Gunners remained undefeated during play bringing their season record to 8-0.

Strong defensive play throughout the tournament by Jacob Aman, Blake Zuniga, and Zachary Zuniga held the Gunners' opponents to two goals in four matches.  Over eight games, the Gunners have scored 32 goals while conceding 4.

The Gunners shut out the Redding Surge 6-0 in the opening match. During their 2nd game, Gary Tovar scored four goals leading the Gunners to a 6-1 victory over the Eel River Rapids. An all around team effort, with goals by Clark Carston and Jose Jaramillo, gave the Gunners a 3-0 win over the El Dorado Prospector Hurricanes. In their final game the Gunners defeated the Mad River United Steelhead U14 D1 team 2-1.

The Napa Gunners team is coached by Rob Kusel and Horacio Arcila Sr.

rob_soccer

FUNDRAISING EVOLUTION AND THE CAN CONFERENCE

Member's E-mail Release
September 21, 2006

"Nebulous" is a dirty word in fundraising, according to Rob Kusel.
He wants to see corporate-style specificity, strategy, and planning in the fundraising departments of nonprofit organizations -- qualities that, he says, are used to great effect to sell hamburgers and designer jeans across America, but less so in the halls of human service, social justice, arts, and other public benefit organizations.

"You have to look at fundraising from an evolutionary perspective," says Kusel. "Where is your organization in its life cycle? The answer to that question makes a huge difference in how you approach donor research, annual giving, major gifts, special events, and all the other areas of fundraising. What you do strategically is very different whether your nonprofit is five years old or fifty."

He should know. The fast-talking, up-front, results-focused Kusel -- now Vice President of the prestigious Essex & Drake Fund Raising Counsel -- has been Director of Development for Major Gifts at Stanford University as well as Director of Development for Blue Oak School in the Napa Valley. He's raised tens of millions of dollars for the organizations he's been involved with.

He's also giving a four-hour workshop on Best Business Practices in Nonprofit Fund Development at Building Strong Nonprofits, the 15th Annual Conference of the California Association of Nonprofits (CAN) on Thursday-Friday, October 26-27, in Los Angeles. This workshop got rave reviews at CAN's Regional Conference in Eureka last spring.

Now more than ever, our Boards and staff members need to generate energy and enthusiasm in our personal solicitations. This approach has the greatest potential to secure the future of all organizations, whether large or small.

Fundraising Professionals, Sharon Tresnon Svensson and Carol Eddy, will walk you through the critical A-Z steps of effective personal solicitations — from picking the prospects to telling the donor how you spent their gift.

(Click here to read the full article!)

This award recognizes an exemplary fundraising professional who has at least ten years of experience; has demonstrated persuasive, effective, and creative leadership; gives his or her best as a team member; adheres to AFP's Code of Ethical Principles and Standards of Professional Practice; displays a commitment to volunteerism; and participates in and supports many nonprofit organizations.

Sharon Svensson, CFRE
Nominated by The Harker School

Supporting Nominations from Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, Ballet San Jose Silicon Valley, Charles Armstrong School, St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Results Marketing/Communications.

Sharon Svensson is an exceptional fundraiser with more than 17 years in the business. Throughout her career, Sharon has successfully helped with many public benefit corporations set up fundraising programs and raise much-needed dollars.

One good example is her work with the Harker School, where she has helped grow their Annual Giving program from $300,000 per year to $1,250,000 per year. Sharon also led the Harker School's first Capital Campaign, which raised $12 million - more than 50 percent of the original expectation.

The Harker School describes Sharon as "creative, resourceful and relentless until a goal is achieved - or in most cases, surpassed!"

In 1997, Sharon became a CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive), which is a professional distinction given to fundraisers who have demonstrated a stellar track record in raising dollars and committing time to the fundraising profession. Currently, Sharon is the President of Essex & Drake Fund Raising Counsel where she has been employed for the past seven years. In her work with Essex & Drake, Sharon has worked on 11 Capital Campaigns (procuring money for buildings and capital projects) for public benefit corporations, and raising an incredible amount of money - more than $80 million.

Sharon's work with local organizations goes beyond helping them raise funds - under her leadership, her firm, Essex & Drake, is offering 12-15 free fundraising and public relations workshops for staff and volunteers annually. Sharon also offers her leadership by volunteering time to organizations as well. For example, she's currently a Board Member for the El Camino Real Diocese Foundation, she's recently volunteered and helped Santa Maria Urban Mission to raise $300,000 to expand their services to East San Jose families, and has also served on the San Jose City Arts Commission.

Without a doubt, Sharon is a role model and has excelled as an accomplished businesswoman, educator and volunteer in the fundraising profession.

Local Philanthropists Have Heart and are Awarded
for Changing Silicon Valley

SAN JOSE, Calif, (October 30, 2002)-Ten outstanding award winners will be honored at the 15th Annual Philanthropy Awards Celebration Luncheon on Thursday, November 14 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Jose, CA. Philanthropy Day is a nationwide event sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), which offers the public benefit sector and the corporate community the opportunity to recognize their top volunteers and highlight the efforts of local community philanthropists. The event will also recognize 40 Distinguished Volunteer Honorees.

Public Benefit organizations and professionals in the field are invited earlier in the year to submit nominations for several categories of awards each year. A panel of senior fundraising professionals, business professionals and community volunteers scrutinizes the nominations, and the winners are selected through a formal voting process.

The ten outstanding award winners are:

• Outstanding Philanthropist - Jeff Skoll
• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser - Debra Engel
• Outstanding Volunteer Fundraiser - Yvette Del Prado
• Outstanding Professional Fundraiser - Sharon Svensson, CFRE
• Outstanding Corporate Grant Maker - Synopsys, Inc.
• Outstanding Foundation Grantmaker - The Noyce Foundation
• Outstanding Philanthropic Organization - Good Samaritan Hospital Auxiliary
• Outstanding Philanthropic Youth Group - Mid-Peninsula Jewish Community Day School 7th Grade
• Special Corporate Award - Cadence Design Systems, Inc.
• AFP Chapter Service Award - Tish Bayer, CFRE

Lisa Kim and Allen Denton, anchors of the evening news at NBC11 are the Masters of Ceremonies for this event, which is the premiere venue for recognizing philanthropic leadership in Silicon Valley. Co-Chairing the Philanthropy Day Committee are Barb Larson and Amy Erekson. Ms. Larson is the Director of Development for the Community Foundation Silicon Valley and Ms. Erekson is Vice President of Business Development for SGA Marketing and Events.

"Philanthropy Day is the day we recognize and pay tribute to the contributions that philanthropy - and philanthropists - have made to Silicon Valley," noted Judith Blasé, CFRE, president of the Silicon Valley Chapter of AFP. "With the slower economy, charities have to rely more and more on the generous hearts of our community's volunteers and leaders. Our community would be a very different place if not for their tireless energy and vision."

A complete list of award winners and media interviews are available. Tickets for the luncheon are $60 per person or $600 for a table of ten. For reservations or information contact the Silicon Valley Chapter Office at (650) 344-4011 or svcadmin@rcn.com.

The Silicon Valley AFP is part of a national organization, which represents 25,000 members in 161 chapters throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, working to advance philanthropy through advocacy, research, education, and certification programs.

  Creating Lasting Relationships with Your Best Donors 

East Bay Fundraising Roundtable
 
Now, more than ever, it is critical that you steward and retain your best donors. These “missionaries” for your agency can make all the difference as you stretch to do more with less. Join your fundraising colleagues and guest presenter Rob Kusel, Vice President at Essex and Drake, for a discussion of tools and methods for developing and maintaining long-term relationships with your best donors, and for engaging them more deeply in the life of your organization.

Rob Kusel  is a Vice President and Partner with Essex and Drake Fund Raising Counsel where for the last four years he has assisted numerous nonprofits in planning studies, major-gift and capital campaigns, capacity and organizational development, and overall strategic planning. From 2002 to 2004, Rob served as the Director of Development and External Affairs for Blue Oak School, the first independent school in the Napa Valley, where he raised over $6M for facilities and endowment.  Prior to Blue Oak, Rob spent 5 years as an executive with companies which specialized in developing web-based programs to assist non-profits in achieving membership-relation and fund-raising success.  He has worked with GroupStone, Inc., Berkeley, CA, and San Francisco based Entango Corporation and LocalVoice.com.

Link to CBO Center