Presidential Session: Fundraising for Environmental Historians: A Practical Introduction to Tapping Philanthropic Support and Overcoming Your Fears of Asking for Money

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

Raising private funds for meaningful projects is not a dark art or rocket science. This session aims to empower environmental historians as non-profit fundraisers, providing basic, step-by- step training on how to tap philanthropic support for small organizations and initiatives. Bill Tsutsui, who has led major capital campaigns as a dean, college president, and now university chancellor, will outline practical approaches to defining fundable projects, writing a case statement, weighing different solicitation strategies, establishing a timeline, identifying and approaching potential donors, building and training a team of volunteers, and instilling a “culture of philanthropy.” To address common anxieties about “making the ask” to donors, participants in the session will also have the opportunity to engage in a role-playing exercise with members of the volunteer team of environmental historians guiding the Together with ASEH campaign.

Sub Unit

• ASEH Annual Conference

Moderator

• Nancy Jacobs, Brown University

Presenters

• Sarah Elkind, Emerita

• William Tsutsui, Ottawa University

• David Spatz, ASEH