Fundraising in a Small Shop

The second installment of our fundraising series focuses on building a successful one-person development shop.

About this Event
Like it or not, fundraising is an essential skill for all arts organizations, especially now. In this workshop series, development and fundraising guru, Melanie Doerner will break down the steps and best practices to improve your fundraising today. In this second installment of our fundraising series, Melanie Doerner offers 12 steps to a successful one-person development shop. Learn both strategic fundraising techniques and how to achieve work/life balance.

About the Presenter
As a career fundraiser, Melanie Doerner has raised more than $10M to support arts organizations. As a member of the senior management team of NC Theatre in Raleigh, Melanie is a strategic thinker, a powerful advocate, and a passionate fundraiser. Melanie has grown NC Theatre’s contributed income budget over 30% since joining in 2011. She launched NC Theatre’s planned giving initiative, and in 2016 the company received is first transformative legacy gift of $1,000,000. Melanie has expanded NC Theatre’s major gifts and annual fundraising programs, as well as grant awards that underpin the company’s growing outreach activities. Melanie takes great pride in engaging the board, staff, and the greater Raleigh community in activities that advance NC Theatre’s mission and vision. Melanie holds a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School and formerly practiced as a corporate attorney in her native Canada. Prior to joining NC Theatre, Melanie worked with Carolina Ballet, Children’s Musical Theater of San Jose, Arts Council Silicon Valley, and the Jose Limon Dance Company. Her husband Michael Doerner is a ballet dancer, having performed with the National Ballet of Canada, Alberta Ballet under Mikko Nissinen, and Ballet San Jose. Melanie has been privileged to work in support of the arts and continues to be inspired by the courage, genius, and generosity of both artists and donors alike.