This program has been cancelled

WSPN, like the general public, is concerned about the growing spread of the coronavirus internationally and the impact it will have here in the U.S. That is why in light of the global emergency of the new coronavirus, COVID-19, WSPN will not conduct its March program, Overcoming Fundraising Mistakes on March 19. The health and safety of program attendees is our utmost concern. WSPN will be exploring alternative dates and we are hoping to reschedule for the summer months.

WSPN program registration fees will be refunded immediately. 

Overcoming Fundraising Mistakes

Fundraising can be full of landmines. You reach out to a donor who is still holding a grudge because he got a crappy seat at the last gala. Or, another who is upset about their name being misspelled in the annual report.

Don’t let these mistakes paralyze you! Join Jim Bennett, current Illinois Department of Human Rights Director / Former Development Director / Former Second City Instructor and a few of your WSPN colleagues (many of whom may surprise you with their acting and improv skills!) as we role play some fundraising conversations-gone-wrong. After each scenario, the audience will have an opportunity to ask questions or provide critique and advice on how they would handle the situation. 

Join us for a fun and interactive morning!

James L. (Jim) Bennett was appointed Illinois Department of Human Rights Director under Governor JB Pritzker in January 2019.  As Director, he is responsible for overseeing the agency's primary goals to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, marital status, physical or mental handicap, sexual orientation, military service or unfavorable discharge in connection with employment opportunities, housing and real estate transactions, access to financial credit and the availability of public services and public accommodations.  In addition, the Department oversees charges of sexual harassment. 

Previously, Bennett served as the Midwest Regional Director at Lambda Legal, the nation's largest legal organization dedicated to securing the full civil rights of the LGBTQ community and people with HIV.  During his 12-year career there, Bennett was a lead strategist in Lambda Legal Illinois and Iowa marriage campaigns and successfully fought Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act and their discriminatory 'religious refusal' laws.  In 2013, he chaired Illinois Unites for Marriage, the statewide coalition that led the successful effort to win marriage equality in Illinois.  As a result of his leadership, Illinois led the way in recognizing the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, and in standing firm against efforts to roll back antidiscrimination laws.  Jim's integrity and commitment to justice make him a perfect fit to lead the agency charged with enforcing Illinois' laws ensuring fair treatment for all.

Prior, Bennett served as acting senior external affairs director at Howard Brown Health, marketing and development director at the Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law and several roles at the American Red Cross national and central Illinois regional offices. 

Bennett was inducted into the City of Chicago's Gay and Lesbian Hall of Fame in 2013, was the recipient of Equality Illinois' Freedom award in 2018 and was inducted into the Steve and Sandi Adams Legacy Hall of Fame at Illinois State University in 2015.  He received his MBA from the University of Illinois at Springfield and his Bachelor of Science in marketing from Illinois State University.

Schedule:

8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.   Registration Check-In and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Program and Q&A Session

This program is CFRE certified for 1.5 pts. Click here for a CFRE Tracker.