Hello My Friends,

We are just weeks away from the AADO 2024 Fundraising Conference in Atlanta, and I am excited to see those who are attending. Hundreds of you are joining us from all over the US and Canada, and we have nearly 40 sponsors joining us as well.  Additionally, we are proud to announce that 22 Charles R. Stephens Scholarship Recipients have been selected and will be attending.

The Opening Keynote, featuring award-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and celebrated author Nneka Allen, promises to be inspiring as they continue the discussion from AFP ICON in Toronto. You won't want to miss the Closing Keynote with American Idol alum and Broadway star Justin Guarini, alongside renowned speaker Kim Walsh. Between these keynotes, we have an impressive lineup of session presenters and incredible panel discussions.

Network over wine and cheese at the opening reception with DJ Aye spinning your favorite nostalgic tunes. (Do we still spin tunes or am I showing my age?!).
You'll also love the AADO 25th Anniversary special edition M&M’s. And with so many sponsors in attendance, who knows—you might just land your next job!

For those of you who aren’t attending the conference, we plan to host a Webinar featuring three of the most popular conference sessions early this fall. Sign up here to be the first to know when it is scheduled.

As always, please continue to support AADO. We don’t charge membership dues, so consider sending a few dollars our way. Since January, we have received support from our AADO Board members, Conference Sponsors, and our Organizational Members. I am happy to share a list of generous individuals who have supported AADO and our mission. Thank you for helping us break barriers, challenge norms, and reshape the future of philanthropy. Together, we are creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for professionals of color in the fundraising profession.

So grateful,
Birgit

AADO Founder & CEO

This will be an incredible worskhop
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Click here for more registration information
A HUGE Thank you to our AADO 2024 Fundraising Conference Sponsors


Georgia Tech - Founding Sponsor
Veritus Group - Presenting Sponsor
AFP - Gold Sponsor
Boyden - Silver Sponsor
The Storehouse in a Box - Silver Sponsor
Lindauer - Bronze Sponsor
Brown University - Bronze Sponsor
Emory University - Bronze Sponsor
Washburn & McGoldrick - Bronze Sponsor
Boston University - Bronze Sponsor
Generous Change - Bronze Sponsor
Diverse Fundraisers - Bronze Sponsor
Princeton University - Bronze Sponsor
University of Kentucky - Bronze Sponsor 
University of Illinois Foundation - Bronze Sponsor
Johns Hopkins University - Bronze Sponsor
Plus Delta Partners - Bronze Sponsor
Alexis Alm Advisors, LLC - Supporting Sponsor 
Meharry Medical College - Supporting Sponsor
Capital Campaign Pro - Supporting Sponsor
Miami University Alumni Assoc - Supporting Sponsor
Bloomerang - Supporting Sponsor
Philanthropy for the People- Supporting Sponsor
ALSAC/St. Jude - Supporting Sponsor
CCS Fundraising - Supporting Sponsor
University of Colorado at Boulder - Supporting Sponsor
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta - Exhibitor
DonorSearch - Exhibitor
CFRE - Exhibitor
Artisan Auctions - Exhibitor
Asian Student Achievement - Donor 



I met Elton Taylor in New Orleans during an AFP visit with the New Orleans Chapter. Elton shared his amazing story about finding great job opportunities on the AADO website. I asked him to tell his story in an upcoming AADO Newsletter. Enjoy Elton's story and then take a look at the job postings because you just might find your next opportunity there.

Elton Taylor's Job Story
It took me six months… Yes, every bit of six months, I finally feel compelled to return to work. This career break — the latest for me — was a necessary timeout. After I had experienced this, I had to hit “Pause” and soul search again. Fifteen years of full-time work in nonprofit fundraising over twenty years. Multiple attempts were made within this timeframe to permanently leave the profession—intense questioning of whether or not I was cut out for this high-pressure work. Surprisingly, after all of it, I somehow felt that there was still more for me to do. 


MOCID General Meeting

May 29, 2024, at 11:30 AM EST

Special Guest Speaker: Mide Akerewusi "Anti-Black Racism in Fundraising Sector"
AAADO CONFERENCE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Christopher Beck, CAP®
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Principal Gifts/Inclusive Philanthropy Southeast/Relational
Tiffany Sylve
Georgia Institute of Technology
Senior Development Assistant for Foundation Relations
Shane Carlin
Asian Student Achievement/
he Salvation Army President/CEO
and Director of Leadership Gifts
Alyssia Coates
Brown University Senior Director
of Development
V. Faith Montgomery
Lindauer Global
Vice President and Managing Director

Brittini Lasseigne
YWCA Clark County Chief Executive Officer
Alicia N. Smith
Schusterman Family
Philanthropies
Senior Director
AADO CONFERENCE TEAM

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Donna Stewart
Conference Manager
Jessica Ford
Conference Program Manager
Yonette Eversley
Administrative Coordinator
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Your support enables AADO to promote and enhance diversity throughout the hiring process, provide professional development for fundraisers of color, and serve as a convening space for fundraisers advancing in their careers. AADO does not charge a membership fee to individual members.

Diverse fundraising teams bring greater understanding, experience, and perspectives to the table enabling them to reach more donors and engage those donors more deeply.

Are you interested in learning the many ways to engage with AADO? Click on the links below to learn more.

If you are interested in membership (which is free) email AADO and note "Membership Information" in the subject line.