Kimberly Gifford
Community Outreach & Program Director, Variety-the Children’s Charity of Texas
“I am grateful for this CEF experience in all aspects of life. I’ve become much more confident in not only my profession, but outside of my profession as well. My coworkers seek advice from me and know that I’ve become a valuable resource to strengthen our organization.”
Jill Gonzalez
Executive Director, Women's Storybook Project of Texas
Bobbie James
Founder/Board President, Jamsz Konnections
“The Certificate in Effective Fundraising program improved my understanding of best practices and policies to enable me to be a better fundraising professional. I found the program to be very valuable. I would highly recommend it. I believe that all fundraising professionals should enroll in this program.“
Maica Jordan
Chief Development Officer, Austin Theatre Alliance / Paramount Theatre
“This program is useful for everyone in non-profit fundraising. It is very well planned out, features industry specialists and touches on all facets of the profession”
Aditi Joshi
Secretary, Asian American Resource Center Nonprofit
“As an entrepreneur and ex- corporate executive, i joined the course to understand how it would aid the success of the nonprofit i am affiliated with. I would highly recommend the CEF classes to anyone considering to be remotely involved in the management of a nonprofit. It provides the necessary skills to manage the nonprofit as a for profit organization, which is imperative for a nonprofit to thrive.”
Nastasja Ladden
Owner, A Divine Delivery
“The nonprofit sector is constantly changing at a rapid pace. As professionals it is important that we are aware of these changes, so that we can adapt to current policies and to align ourselves into position to best utilize our skills. CEF brought my vision into focus, and the career of “fundraising” is something that I can see myself participating in this field in the near future. I believe this class was very helpful and taught me very many useful skills that will help me at my job, and in my personal life. This course was incredibly important to my development both professionally and personally in various areas. Whether you are a seasoned Fundraiser or looking to take your skills and knowledge to the next level, you will noticeably boost your expertise in this field when you participate in this program.“
Delton McGuire, CFRE
Chief Development Officer, Cherokee Home for Children
“If you are looking for a thorough review of fundraising spread out over a year, this course if for you. The pacing of the learning experiences give ample opportunity to take what you learn, put it to work, and then come back for more useful concepts.”
Karl Nichols
Vice President of Investor Development, E3 Alliance
Krystal Parsons
Associate Director of Individual Giving, Austin Theatre Alliance
“I recommend taking the CEF class for seasoned and non-seasoned development officers. You have a dynamic and varied group of lecturers who transform the learning experience. Your classmates are another huge asset to becoming a more effective fundraiser. My class had traditional development officers, board members, new development officers moving out of direct services, and people starting their own nonprofits. Each discussion and every example in class was tailored to our unique group. I’ve attended professional developments where we’re all “one” – all fundraisers, all arts organizations, or all under the same database/tech. This is the first professional development I’ve had that celebrates the diversity and leverages it to increase impact – refusing to let any lesson to homogeneous. As nonprofits, as fundraisers, and as people we’re not the same as one another – so why should we learn that way? CEF takes everyone’s experiences and backgrounds, including the presenters, to thoughtful and personalized lesson in fundraising.”
Karah Ricketts
Community Development Manager, ROCK Ride on Center for Kids
“When I first began the CEF class I was in a job that I loved doing. It was fun, exciting and really pretty easy. During the middle of the class I began to wonder what else might be out there for me and I made a move to job that is fast paced and never ending. Learning to adjust how I handle my work load has been rewarding and the new tools I’ve learned in the CEF class will prove to be time saving in the long run as well as effective in the community.”
LLyas Salahud-din
Director of Major Gifts, LifeWorks Austin
“The CEF is a wonderful course to get to know your peers, funders and nonprofit leaders in the community. In addition, the topics covered allow you to have a deeper appreciation and understanding of how to navigate effectively in your pursuit to changing your community. It gave me so many more tools to be efficient in fundraising, and nonprofit management. There were a lot of best practices that I can now take back to my organization.“
Rosana Sielaff
Coalition Director, LifeSteps Council on Alcohol and Drugs
“CEF gave me knowledge, and knowledge opens opportunity to succeed in life.”
