Lodestar Center announces 19th Annual 
'Collective Impact' conference

The ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Innovation is pleased to announce the upcoming “‘Go fast, go alone; go far, go together’: Collective Impact” Conference to take place Oct. 13-14, 2011, at the Desert Willow Conference Center in Phoenix, Ariz.

The 2011 conference promises to educate and inspire attendees and allow for business, government, general public and nonprofit groups to come together to achieve "collective impact." The conference is made possible in collaboration with the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Arizona Chapter and through sponsorships by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Valley of the Sun United Way.

By following the conditions of "collective impact," seemingly impossible challenges become possible and organizations are able to resolve significant societal issues and challenges. These large and complex problems demand cross-sector work beyond the scope of a single nonprofit or governmental agency. Currently, this work is taking place within social and human services arenas such as combating homelessness and hunger, as well as education, the environment, and arts and culture.

“Achieving greater impact will drive this [nonprofit] field to a level of accomplishment that goes far beyond incremental gain," said the late Peter Goldberg, president and CEO of Families International. "Outcomes measure what we have done. They don’t necessarily drive the field toward what we really need to accomplish in the context of the social and economic conditions that bedevil the disadvantaged people we serve."

The conference is an opportunity to:

• hear directly from renowned national experts, local individuals and organizations that have or are in the process of coming together to make notable, long-term positive change;

• join nearly 300 nonprofit leaders and business professionals;

• take advantage of in-depth workshops;

• learn best-practice techniques from expert panels;

• participate in affinity networking groups; and

• build your personal network.

Nearly 300 nonprofit leaders, community partners and business professionals are expected to attend the 19th Annual Nonprofit Conference. The conference will feature national speaker Fay Hanleybrown, managing director of FSG Social Impact Consultants, in Seattle, Wash.; Brian Spicker, senior vice president of community impact, Valley of the Sun United Way, Phoenix; and a representative from Strive Partnership of Cincinnati, a national model for collective impact whose mission is driven by achieving better results in education from “cradle to career.”

Attendees are encouraged to take advantage of the in-depth workshops focusing on strategic planning, board leadership, fundraising, communication, collaboration and financial sustainability. In addition, participants can take away best-practice techniques from two expert panels, one focused on communitywide efforts to end homelessness and another on a variety of current domestic and international cases/models. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in affinity networking groups allowing for additional dialogue and personal network-building opportunities.

Among this year's presenters are:

• Fay Hanleybrown, FSG Social Impact Consultants
• Brian Spicker, Valley of the Sun United Way
• Strive Partnership
• Carrie Kinnear, Arizona Endowment Building Initiative
• Christopher Sar, Phoenix Children's Hospital Foundation
• Sharon Flanagan-Hyde, Flanagan-Hyde Solutions, LLC
• Conni Ingallina, Nonprofit Associations
• Robert Gregg, The Bridge Consulting Group
• Penelope Cagney, The Cagney Company
• Pat Lewis, ASU Lodestar Center for Philanthropy & Nonprofit Innovation
• Amy Neumann, Social | Impact Consulting, LLC
• Karen Ramsey, Lead for Good
• Laura Libman, Tia Foundation
• Allen Gjersvig, Keogh Health Connection
• Matt Lehrman, Alliance for Audience/ShowUp.com
• Social Venture Partners
• An exclusive screening of the new documentary, "Saving Philanthropy: Resources to Results” that includes a post-discussion led by the film's producer, Kate Robinson, Austin, TX.
• Additional Speakers TBD (check website for the most recent additions)

“The idea of Collective Impact is not a passing fad. The concept is a fundamental shift in how nonprofits align around a common agenda to assure social impact,” said Robert F. Ashcraft, executive director of the ASU Lodestar Center and professor of nonprofit studies in ASU’s School of Community Resources and Development. “There is also recognition that such impact is possible when a fusion of sectors occurs, that includes government and businesses, toward a collective will to improve the quality of life in communities."

Sponsorships and exhibitor booths are also still available and range from $2,500 to $20,000 for sponsorships and are offered at $250 or $500 for exhibitors. If your organization is interested in sponsoring or exhibiting, please call 602- 496-0500 or email nonprofit@asu.edu.  

For complete information about the Lodestar Center’s 19th Annual Nonprofit Conference, visit: http://lodestar.asu.edu/2011conf.