MEF Resources by Topic

Board Best Practices (8/2016)

Energizing Your Board: Brianna Gohlke-Clausen, Seeds in Concrete Leadership Consulting (1/2024)

Motivating Your Board to Raise Money (12/2017)

Recruiting & Maintaining Board Members (1/2020)

Re-Energizing Your Foundation / Reaffirming Your Foundation's Mission (8/2021)

Starting or Re-starting an Education Foundation (12/2016)

Strategic Planning (1/2023)

Succession Planning/Task Division (5/2022)

Summer Tasks (5/2016)

Branding/Marketing  (8/2019)

Communications/Marketing: Foundation Shares (10/2014)

Communication Plans: Storytelling & How-To Steps for Creating a Plan (5/2021)

Communication Plans: East Grand Rapids & Grand Rapids (2/2017)

Communication Plans: Rockford (internally-managed) & Chelsea (using a contracted partner) (10/2023) 

Electronic Newsletters (2/2019)

Email Marketing (5/2017)

Mailing Options (8/2023)

Marketing Videos (Shared Document Resource Page)

Social Media for Education Foundations (10/2022)

Thank You Notes  (Shared Document Resource Page)

Websites:  Tips for Effective Non-profit Websites and ADA Compliance (5/2018)

Art of the Ask: Kristin Gootjes and Deb Kalinka Manning, Gootjes Consulting (1/2025) 

Donor Retention: Ways to Thank Donors (1/2022)

Donor Recognition & Attracting New Donors (2/2016)

Donor Database Management (8/2022)

Donor Management Software: DonorPerfect (2/2019)

Keeping Donors Engaged During Covid (5/2020)

Mastering the Art of Donor Stewardship (8/2018)

Transitioning from All-volunteer to Paid Staff (8/2017)

Healthy Foundation Practices: Randall Hallett, Hallett Philanthropy (5/2025)

Shared Policies from MEF Members (Shared Document Resource Page)

Alumni Outreach (3/2020)

Alumni Outreach: Alumni Nations and Central High School Foundation, Omaha, NE (3/2023)

District / Foundation Partnerships (3/2021)

Foundation/District Relationship (3/2025)

Networking (5/2023)

Parent Camp: Northville District/Foundation Collaboration (Shared Document Resource Page)

Annual Fund Drives (Shared Document Resource Page)

Corporate Sponsors (Shared Document Resource Page)

Fundraisers & Events: (Shared Document Resource Page)

• Fundraising Share with MEF Members (10/7/2024)

• Chelsea vs Dexter Rivalry Match (10/2019) (Shared Document Resource Page)

• Kindergarten Welcome Kits  (Shared Document Resource Page)

• Photo Session Fundraiser  (Shared Document Resource Page)

• Virtual/Remote Events (Shared Document Resource Page)

• No Show Ball (8/2020) 

Fundraising During Covid-19 (5/2020)

Online Auction Software: Greater Giving (2/2019)

Grantmaking: Teacher/Classroom grants (Shared Document Resource Page)

Scholarships (Shared Document Resource Page)

Endowment Campaigns (5/2019)

Major Gifts/Planned Giving (10/2015)

Major Gifts/Donor Outreach (1/2021)

Special Donations: Designated Funds & Pass-through Contributions; Gift Acceptance Policies (10/2019)

K-12 Public Education Funding (10/2017)

State Funding Overview & Update: Mike Cuneo, Rockford Assistant Superintendent of Finance (8/2021)

Tax Law Changes (12/2018)

Pandemic Issues & the CARES Act for Nonprofit Orgs (Shared Video Resource Page)