GIFT Leadership Institute

Transform your camp through a culture of philanthropy






 

 

 

In 2023/2024, camps can apply for a special version of the GIFT Leadership Institute (GLI), led by lead trainer Laurie Herrick. GLI guides leadership teams from Jewish camps through an organization-wide breakthrough to instill a transformative Culture of Philanthropy: a new, energized approach to how the organization thinks about, talks about, organizes for, and engages in fundraising. 

This year, camps can take part in the Choose Abundance Intensive,  a 9-month journey with 3 required online gatherings that will be held from 11 AM – 4 PM Eastern for 3 consecutive days (Monday – Wednesday): 
  • September 18-20, 2023, 11 AM- 4PM EST 
  • January 29-31, 2024, 11 AM- 4PM EST 
  • May 6-8, 2024, 11 AM- 4PM EST 

In addition to the cohort-based learning, camps will also receive individual coaching to help develop their plans.

Please note that the Choose Abundance Intensive will include both Jewish day and overnight camps affiliated with JCamp 180 as well as other nonprofit organizations outside of camping working on their Culture of Philanthropy plans.

Program Application Process

Applications are now closed. If you are interested in learning more about future cohorts focused on a Culture of Philanthropy, please contact jcamp180@hgf.org.

“We raised $2.1M in our most recent fiscal year: our most successful development year to date. And to think: just a few years ago, before working with you all and being in Laurie's cohort, we were only raising $600K.”

 - Will Eastman & Michael Schlank, NJY Camps

What Will Camps Learn in the Choose Abundance Initiative?  

At the end of the program, the participants will: 

  • Understand the complexities involved in an organization-wide culture change 
  • Have a clear action plan for building a Culture of Philanthropy 
  • Understand the roles of board, executive leaders, development and program staff 
  • Create a breakthrough in community and donor engagement

Big Commitment Can Result in Big Outcomes

An independent study on GLI showed that organizations that completed this course achieved the following outcomes:
 
  • An increase in revenue 
  • An increase in board member engagement in development
  • An increased percentage of revenue raised by non-executive or development staff
  • Implementation of structures, behaviors, and mindsets to sustain their desired culture change leading to continued fundraising success

Program Eligibility 

To be eligible to participate in the Choose Abundance Intensive, camps must be: 

  1. Affiliated and in good standing with JCamp 180 and HGF 
  2. Able to field a full team of up to five participants including senior professional and lay leaders 
  3. Committed to full participation by their Executive Director and Camp Director, the Board Chair or equivalent lay leader, and a development professional. Other professional/lay leaders are welcome up to a total of 6 team members 
  4. Able to invest an average of 2-4 hours each month in course work and homework (more time will be required during retreats, and less in other months) 
  5. Committed and enthusiastic to implement an organization-wide Culture of Philanthropy

Program Outcomes

At the end of the program, the participants will:

  • Understand the complexities involved in an organization-wide culture change
  • Have a clear action plan for building a Culture of Philanthropy
  • Understand the roles of board, executive leaders, development and program staff
  • Create a breakthrough in community and donor engagement.

About Laurie Herrick

Laurie Herrick is an Author, Business Owner, Entrepreneur, Educator, Fundraising Consultant, and long time Consultant at JCamp 180 with over 25 years' experience in the not-for-profit sector. She is committed to spreading the word that mindset is our superpower, and if we embrace it, we have the power to heal the world.  She feels that fundraising and building a Culture of Philanthropy is sacred transformative work that can fundamentally change the trajectory of an organization.  
 

Laurie has led multiple cohorts of the JCamp 180 GIFT Leadership Institute, which guides leadership teams from Jewish camps through an organization-wide breakthrough to instill a transformative Culture of Philanthropy: a new, energized approach to how the organization thinks about, talks about, organizes for, and engages in fundraising. Laurie is also the author of the book Choose Abundance, Powerful Fundraising for Nonprofits: A Culture of Philanthropy which provides readers with the tools and procedures to begin building a Culture of Philanthropy at their organization. 

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“GLI has been one of the most powerful learning experiences for me as an individual and for our cohort from the Mandel JCC. While GLI’s primary purpose is to strengthen the individual and organization’s focus on philanthropy, it has provided so much more. Cohort style learning provided insight into what can be gained by business planning with individuals from varied perspectives of the organizational structure. We coalesced around prioritizing and strengthening the culture of the organization and empowering other professionals and volunteers to find their “inner philanthropist” in order to drive the agency and all its parts forward towards greater success in building a culture of philanthropy.”

- Gilon Rubanenko, Senior Vice President, Programs and Engagement, Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland

2023 GLI Curriculum

Note: the 2023/2024 Choose Abundance Intensive curriculum will be held completely online.

Kickoff- David Posnack JCC, Davie, FL
(Sunday, Feb. 5 - Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023)
  • Assessing your organization
  • Understanding the fundamentals of a Culture of Philanthropy
  • The unique role of culture and how to alter it
  • Establishing an organizational Culture of Philanthropy 6-month plan
 Ongoing Course Activities
  • Monthly Team Coaching Calls
  • Periodic Topical Webinars
  • Periodic Affinity calls (with Peer Execs, Board Members, or Development Professionals)
 Spring Retreat at Pearlstone Retreat Center, in Reisterstown, MD
 (Sunday, April 30 - Tuesday, May 2, 2023)
  • Philanthropy and Culture
  • Levers & Tools for Transforming & Leading Culture Change
  • Advancing Your Plan
 Fall Final Retreat
 (Monday, Nov. 13 - Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023)
  • Presentation of outcomes and impact
  • Next steps for your camp
  • Completion and celebration 

Participants in GLI to date

  • Albert & Ann Deshur JCC Rainbow Day Camp in Fredonia, WI
  • Camp BB Riback in Pine Lake, AB
  • Camp Centerland of the JCC of Buffalo, NY
  • Camp Jaycee in La Jolla, CA
  • Camp Laurelwood in Madison, CT
  • Camp Ramah in the Berkshires in Wingdale, NY
  • Camp Sabra in Rocky Mount, MO
  • Camp Shomria NY in Librerty, NY
  • Camp Solomon Schechter in Tumwater, WA
  • Camp Yachad - JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains, NJ 
  • Emma Kaufmann Camp of the JCC of Greater Pittsburgh in Morgantown, WV
  • Habonim Dror Camp Galil in Ottsville, PA
  • Habonim Dror Camp Gesher in Cloyne, ON
  • Habonim Dror Camp Gilboa in Big Bear Lake, CA
  • Habonim Dror Camp Miriam in Gabriola Island, BC
  • JCC Camp Chi in Lake Delton, WI
  • JCC Camp Ruach in Bridgewater, NJ
  • JCC Camps at Medford in Medford, NJ
  • Mandel JCC Camps, Cleveland, OH
  • NJ Y Camps in Milford, PA
  • Shalom Institute in Malibu, CA
  • Springfield, JCC Day Camp, Springfield, MA
  • Surprise Lake Camp in Cold Spring, NY 
  • Camp Tel Yehuda in Barryville, NY
  • Wilshire Blvd Temple Camps in Malibu, CA