Legacy Endowment celebrates 30th Anniversary by co-hosting professional symposium for nonprofit organizations

FALLBROOK – In 1994, key leaders within the Fallbrook area formed a community foundation, created for the long-term benefit of those living in the area and the nonprofits supporting the region. Mike Dunlap, Helen Monroe, Fred Vaught, Jon Frandell, and Don Zech envisioned a tremendous opportunity to launch a community foundation solely dedicated to serving the furthermost regions of San Diego North County.

Their planning and expertise aimed high, each dedicating their expertise to creating a foundation that would award generous grants to support local nonprofit organizations as well as scholarships to benefit local students. This year, Legacy celebrates 30 years of achieving those dreams and aspirations by presenting the North County Nonprofit Symposium on Friday, Sept. 27, at the Pala Mesa Resort.

Legacy Endowment and Michelle’s Place Cancer Resource Center, with sponsorship support by Neighborhood Healthcare and the Fallbrook Regional Health District, have created a stellar line-up of presentations from top tier industry professionals covering Grants Management, Capital Campaigns, Major & Planned Gifts, and Board Development.

Rick Koole, Senior Pastor of LifePointe Church, will provide the luncheon’s presentation focusing on the need for professional development and education to grow and evolve fundraising, donor engagement, and stewardship. Registration information can be found on Eventbrite.com and michellesplace.org/events.

Jean Larsen, Legacy’s executive director, noted, “Beyond the aspirations of our founders to create a foundation meant to carry forward a donor’s dreams for bettering Fallbrook, Bonsall, and the surrounding region, they also knew professional development would become an important strategic initiative. A community foundation has a stake in helping nonprofits in the area succeed in generating transformational philanthropy from 6-, 7- and 8-figure gifts. it will take top fundraising knowledge and expertise to develop the strongest donor relationships that inspire such investments into making a significant and lasting difference within a community.”

The symposium’s presentation line-up has been developed by Jean Larsen and Amber Berkey, both having achieved their Certified Fund Raising Executive credentials substantiated by years’ worth of education, training, and the eventual CFRE exam.

“Nonprofit and development education is vital to understanding trends, new concepts, as well as tried-and-true principles,” Larsen said when was asked about what makes a successful fundraiser, adding, “I have been in a part of this important field of work for almost four decades and it is vital to invest in yourself, your staff, and board of directors, to stay current and competitive.”

Also weighing in, Berkey noted, “nonprofit representatives should not need to travel out of our region for quality nonprofit management training and networking opportunities. We wanted to create something specific to our own region’s needs.”

For more information about Legacy Endowment Community Foundation or the North County Nonprofit Symposium, call 760-941-8646.

Submitted by Legacy Endowment.