New to fundraising? Changing, beginning, or contemplating a career in the nonprofit fundraising field?  Come learn about local professional associations, ask questions of seasoned professionals, and mingle with your peers.

Get connected!  Meet representatives from the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and the Grant Professionals Association (GPA), as well as consultant Lauren Steiner, president of Grants Plus.  Bring your organization's promotional materials for our display table and plenty of your business cards. There will be refreshments and networking activities. 

Meet and greet, ask questions, make connections, and have fun. Here's how it works:

• 5:30-6:00 - Open networking, introductions, eat & greet
• 6:00-6:30 – Speed geeking
• 6:30-7:00 - Q&A round
• 7:00-7:30 - Open networking

So, how do the speed geeking rounds work? They are 10-minute, timed sessions where attendees break into small groups and move around the room attending presentations from invited presenters. (Think “speed-dating”!) When the bell is rung, groups move on to the next presenter until all presenters have been visited. By the end of all the talks, you will have heard the essentials from each presenter. Our presenters will share tips from their successful real-world experiences building a movement around their organization’s mission.

Featured presenters:

Tim McCormick, President, McCormick Consulting

Tim McCormick has more than 30 years nonprofit management and fundraising experience. Throughout his extensive YMCA career, Tim focused on bringing together volunteers and staff members to realize a shared vision. He has led numerous YMCA Capital and Major Gift solicitations in Ohio, Michigan and Louisiana. Beyond the YMCA, Tim has provided leadership to fundraising efforts for arts organizations like the Cleveland Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony and the National Symphony in Washington, D.C. In his role as a consultant he has provided leadership to several capital campaigns in Vermont, New York and Minnesota.  Tim has provided organizational development and capacity building consultation to several non-profit groups in Northeast Ohio.  Tim is a board member and President Elect of for the Greater Cleveland Chapter of AFP.  He has also served as the Vice President for Resource Development for the chapter.

Mary Cosgrove, Director of Grants Administration, Catholic Community Foundation

Mary currently is the Director of Grants Administration at the Catholic Community Foundation.  She is responsible for Catholic Diocese’s grantseeking efforts in eight counties. Enriching lives in Northeast Ohio, the Foundation serves to foster faith-based stewardship in the community for the spiritual, educational and charitable needs of all.  Mary has been a member of GPA since 2007 and received her Grant Professional Certification (GPC) in 2010.  In 2011 she helped to establish the Northern Ohio Chapter of GPA.  A graduate of the Mandel Center for Nonprofit Organizations at Case Western Reserve University with a Certificate in Nonprofit Management (CNM) she is also an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the State of Ohio.    

Lauren Steiner, President, Grants Plus

Lauren Steiner founded Grants Plus to benefit organizations through her expertise and enthusiasm for raising money for worthy causes. She has successfully raised grant money for human services agencies, schools, cultural institutions, civic initiatives, and media projects for over ten years. She has also provided guidance and writing for the successful launch of a nonprofit earned-income venture. Ms. Steiner, an attorney, is an active member of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and has served on the board of the Greater Cleveland Chapter. She also served as an adjunct instructor at Cleveland State University from 2002 to 2008. In 2007, she was named one of the “Top 25 Under 35” by Inside Business Magazine. She has a B.S. in Telecommunications from Ohio University and a J.D. from Cleveland State University, Cleveland Marshall College of Law. She launched Grants Plus in 2007.

Space is limited. Register online with the form below, in person, or by calling (216) 861-1933. Registrants requiring ASL signers or other disability-related services are asked to contact the Foundation Center at least two weeks in advance.

Please arrive on time or your seat may be given away to others who are waiting to attend. If you need further information, please call (216) 861-1933.