Non-Profit Roundtable #1: Fundraising Best Practices

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The 2024 Non-Profit Roundtables will be based on a successful model that GRCA currently offers to for-profit executives, one that is conducive to brainstorming, sharing ideas, solving problems and networking. It centers on topics and needs as determined by the group related to the unique challenges and issues for-profit executives face every day. The first of four Roundtables, we invite community Non-Profits to join us and experts in discussing...

Fundraising Practices

Ever wondered about the best fundraising practices for your organization? Look no further! The Greater Reading Chamber Alliance invites you to join us for an insightful session where we'll guide you through creating an effective fundraising plan. Learn how to craft a successful fundraising strategy, explore best practices, and discover your options to make a lasting impact. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your non-profit's fundraising game!

In partnership with the Berks Regional Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, full participation in Non-Profit Roundtable #1: Fundraising Best Practices is applicable for 1 points in Category 1.B -Education of the CFRE International application for initial certification and/or recertification.

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Meggan Kerber has served as the Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement for Alvernia University since April 2021.  Prior to joining Alvernia University, she served as Executive Director of Berks Arts Council from August 2019-April 2021. Meggan served the non-profit community for over 25 years in non-profit management, fundraising, marketing, and special events.  In addition, she spent several years in the corporate sector focusing on marketing for the restaurant industry and event planning.   She has served in the past with the Bethany Children’s Home, Director of Development; Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Chief Development Officer; Girl Scouts-Great Valley, Penn State Berks, and Easter Seals.  
 
In 2005, she received her CFRE (Certified Fund Raising Executive) accreditation from CFRE International. Meggan has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and an MBA in Community Service and Economic Leadership from Alvernia College.
 
With a passion for serving others, Meggan has also served as a Professional Fundraising Counsel within the State of Pennsylvania to provide consulting services to non-profits in donor database management, planned giving, annual campaigns, and special events. She has worked with but not limited to Lebanon Valley Farm Exposition Center, Centro Hispano, The Historical Society of Berks County, Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County, Girls on the Run of Berks County and Laurel House. Most of this work is done pro bono.
 
In the community, Meggan is currently serving on the board of Riverfront Federal Credit Union and PA American Region. She has previously served as Chair, of Alvernia University Alumni Council; Member, Dayspring Homes Board of Directors; Member, Greater Reading Chamber Alliance Private Public Partnership;  Past President, Reading Rotary Club; Past Member, Conrad Weiser Rotary Club; Secretary, Girls on the Run of Berks County;  Marketing Committee Member and Past Dinner Committee Chair, Children’s Home of Reading; Administrator for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Berks Regional Chapter where she is also one of the Founding Members; Vice President for the John Paul II Center for Special Learning Development Advisory Board, member of the Alvernia College 50th Anniversary Committee; Board Member, Tri-County Community Network; Board Member, Breast Cancer Support Services of Berks County; Board Member, Berks Counseling Center; and member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
 
In 2018, the AFP Berks Regional Chapter recognized Meggan for her long-time service with the renaming of the Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award to the Meggan Kerber Outstanding Fundraising Professional Award. In 2014, Meggan was recognized with Alvernia University’s Ellen Frei Gruber Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2013, she received the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry Rising Star Award. In 2007, Meggan was recognized as an Outstanding Fundraising Executive by the AFP Berks Regional Chapter. She also received the Outstanding Distinguished Psi Chi Alumni Award from Alvernia in 2002.

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Tom Minick is the Vice President of Advancement at Alvernia University in Reading, Pennsylvania. Tom earned his Bachelors degree in Business Management and Masters in Business Administration from Alvernia University. He is also a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Leadership Course and 2000 Graduate of Leadership Berks.

After graduation, Tom was employed by Junior Achievement of Greater Reading and Lehigh Valley as a Program Manager and was promoted to Senior Program Director having spent 8 rewarding years with the organization. In 2006, he joined the development team at Alvernia University as a Major Gift Officer and was promoted to Director of Development in 2008. In March 2020 Tom was promoted to Vice President of Advancement at Alvernia. During his time at Alvernia, the university has completed a $27 million comprehensive campaign, raising over $31 million and most recently a $9 million campaign to build the Tom & Helen Flynn Complex. Most recently, the university launched the Partners in Progress Campaign, a $70 million comprehensive campaign with over $56 million secured to date.

In November 2010, he received the Outstanding Fundraising Executive award from the Association of Fund Raising Professionals, Berks Regional Chapter. In 2008, he received the Rising Star Award from the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce and Industry and 2010 the Outstanding Classroom Consultant for Junior Achievement of Greater Reading and the Lehigh Valley. Tom was inducted into the Elizabethtown Area High School Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the 1993 PIAA State Championship Baseball Team and the Alvernia University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015, as an assistant coach of the 2005 baseball team that finished 41-6 and in 2018 as a member of the 1995 baseball team that went 30-7 and was the first Alvernia team to make an NCAA post-season berth.

Tom has been active in a number of community and civic organizations:
 
 Currently
• Chairman of the Day Spring Homes Board of Directors
• Habitat for Humanity Berks County Board of Directors
 
Past
• President of the Mifflin Area Youth Baseball Association
• President of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals – Berks Regional Chapter
• Chairman of the Board of Junior Achievement of Greater Reading & Lehigh Valley
• Classroom volunteer for Junior Achievement of Greater Reading and Lehigh Valley.
• President and Board Member of Greater Reading Young Professionals
• Chairman and Board Member of Leadership Berks
• Program Vice President for the Association of Fund Raising Professionals Berks Regional Chapter
• Board Member of the Kutztown Area Chamber of Commerce
• Board Member of the March of Dimes
• Alvernia University Alumni Council
• Participant in MDA Lock-up
• Volunteer for BCTV
• Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce Marketplace Committee
 
Tom is the proud father of two, a son, Tyler and daughter Taylor. He and his wife Jamie reside in Cumru Township.