The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies

Melinda Sconyers McClendon, nonprofit consultant, will present "Fundraising Essentials: Donor Relations, Campaigns, and Major Gifts" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Enterprise at the Enterprise City Schools Service Center, on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Melinda McClendon is a seasoned marketing and public relations professional with more than 30 years of experience in creating impactful local, regional and national campaigns for some of the country’s most impressive corporations. A graduate of Auburn University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations and speech communications, the Dothan native traversed the country after college honing her craft. After 4 children and an exhausting career in the corporate “for-profit” world, Melinda left Dothan to run a non-profit in Auburn, The Exceptional Foundation of East Alabama-a day program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Now, with years under her belt, McClendon has concluded that the first half of her career might have increased the balance in her 401K, but it was her work in the non-profit realm that produced a life-changing return on her Investment. Recently semi-retired, McClendon is looking forward to seeking a new adventure that will allow her to continue her passion of helping the most underserved population in the world-individuals with disabilities. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Jessica Steltenpohl, Vice President of Investor Relations at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, will present "Board Fundamentals" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Enterprise at the Enterprise City Schools Service Center, on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Jessica Steltenpohl is the Vice President of Investor Relations at the Dothan Area Chamber of Commerce, where she works daily as a relationship architect, building connections between Chamber members, board members, volunteers, and the local community. She ensures that every investor feels confident in their decision to partner with the Chamber, believing that in her world, every investment should pay off. As the coordinator for Leadership Dothan and Youth Leadership, Jessica plays a key role in shaping the future leaders of the community. Her job involves creating and organizing programs that challenge, inspire, and empower both local professionals and high school students to become the best leaders they can be. From planning engaging sessions to connecting participants with top community influencers, Jessica ensures that every detail is covered. Whether she’s watching "aha" moments unfold or organizing team-building activities, her focus is on developing the next generation of leaders who will help Dothan and the Wiregrass thrive. Jessica also coordinates the Chamber’s Total Resource Campaign, where she acts as a sponsorship matchmaker. Her team works diligently to connect Chamber volunteers with members, pairing them to find ideal sponsorship opportunities that enhance visibility for their organizations while supporting community events and initiatives. They focus on turning great ideas into successful partnerships by juggling relationships, goals, and enthusiasm, ensuring that every sponsor maximizes the value of their investment and helps the Chamber grow. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Emily Heersink, Attorney and Strategic Consultant at Fortif Law Partners, will present "Starting & Maintaining a Nonprofit" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Enterprise at the Enterprise City Schools Service Center, on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Emily Heersink is an attorney and strategic consultant focused on public-private partnerships and mission-driven initiatives. She enjoys serving as a capacity builder and thought partner to help businesses and organizations problem solve, identify new opportunities, and leverage funding. Emily has worked as an editor, a grant writer for a large health and social services nonprofit, and an antitrust litigator for a Philadelphia-based law firm. She also founded a nonprofit preschool. She brings a diverse skillset, a love for research, and an eagerness to go the extra mile to her clients. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies has partnered with the Wiregrass United Way and the Enterprise Chamber of Commerce to present an in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Enterprise at the Enterprise City Schools Service Center on Wednesday, January 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at: linktr.ee/carycenterau Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Did you miss our virtual session last week? You're in luck! Successful Boards: Fundraising, Communication, and Management with Ron Huddleston, CFRE, FAHP, President at The Huddleston Group, is now available on our YouTube channel: https://aub.ie/ccvideos

This week, we were pleased to partner with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to present a day of training in Birmingham. The Cary Center Nonprofit Training Series took place at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham's office. This program included sessions on strategic planning, fundraising essentials, social media advertising & engagement, and recruiting and motivating volunteers. We would like to thank the following speakers for their time and expertise they shared with these attendees: Rhonda McDavid, Executive Director of Southeastern Diabetes Education Services/Camp Seale Harris; Morgan Emahiser, Owner & Principal of Morgan Emahiser Creative; Matt Robinson, Director of Advertising at Uptick Media; Elling Falconer, Digital Advertising Specialist at Uptick Media; and Valerie Cunningham-Trainer, Vice President of Advancement at Make-A-Wish Alabama.

TODAY is the last day to register for the Birmingham "Nonprofit Training Series" program! The link to register will close at midnight. The Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies has partnered with the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to present an in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Birmingham at the Community Foundation office on Tuesday, December 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at: linktr.ee/carycenterau Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Valerie Cunningham-Trainer, Vice President of Advancement of Make-A-Wish Alabama, will present "Recruiting and Motivating Volunteers" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Birmingham at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, on Tuesday, December 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau With over 15 years of nonprofit experience, Valerie Cunningham-Trainer has played a pivotal role in increasing Make-A-Wish Alabama’s revenue by more than 150% since she began in 2015. She has held numerous leadership positions in community organizations and was named one of the “Women Who Shape the State” in Alabama in 2020. Valerie also launched Alabama’s Trailblaze Challenge program, which has grossed nearly 4 million dollars in six years. She has established two volunteer regional councils, spearheaded numerous new events, and helped retool the chapter’s volunteer program. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Matt Robinson, Director of Advertising and Analytics and Elling Falconer, Digital Advertising Specialist, at Uptick Marketing will present "Social Media Advertising and Engagement" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Birmingham at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, on Tuesday, December 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Matt is a native of Dothan, Alabama. He attended the University of Alabama and earned a degree in Advertising, which proved to be a solid foundation for his career in the industry: Matt has worked in design and creative roles for both print and digital, publisher-side operations in newspaper, network, and sports verticals, media planning, and now digital strategy and execution. Elling is a graduate of Auburn University with a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and a Master’s Degree in Communication, the marketing bug bit Elling when she landed her first agency job upon graduation. She’s been loving the marketing and advertising world ever since! She is the ideal Digital Advertising Specialist for Uptick with her quick wit, strategic mindset, and passion to always improve. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.

Morgan Emahiser, CFRE, Owner and Principal of Morgan Emahiser Creative, will present "Fundraising Essentials: Donor Relations, Campaigns, and Major Gifts" at the Cary Center's in person "Nonprofit Training Series" in Birmingham at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham, on Tuesday, December 10th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Registration is $10 and includes lunch. Register today at linktr.ee/carycenterau Morgan Emahiser, CFRE, is the Owner and Principal of Morgan Emahiser Creative (MEC), a boutique marketing and fundraising consulting firm supporting organizations and social enterprises across the southeast. As a consultant she specializes in fundraising innovation, creative design, marketing and communications, solicitation and stewardship strategy, and event management. Her expertise lies in seamlessly bridging the gap between donors and non-profits, leveraging a comprehensive understanding of the intricate dynamics that underpin successful strategies to drive revenue, enhance brand visibility, and cultivate meaningful, enduring relationships. Prior to MEC, she served in leadership positions with organizations addressing access and affordability of health care, child care, and early education. She is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). In 2021, Morgan was awarded the William S. Roth Outstanding Fundraising Executive Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Alabama Chapter, and currently serves as the AFP Alabama Chapter President. Contact Brittany Spillman at [email protected] or 334-844-3557 for additional information.