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Building A Culture of Philanthropy at Your Nonprofit (Stamie Despo)

April 2020

Despite her successful fundraising experience, Stamie Despo knew as a new Executive Director she would need the entire organization to embrace philanthropy for it to achieve the kind of mission success she knew was possible. That's exactly what Stamie and I discussed during episode 27 of The Path Podcast.  What exactly is a culture of philanthropy?  What did she find when she began her role as Executive Director at the Susan G. Komen affiliate in Charlotte?  What were the practical steps she took to assess and integrate new elements of philanthropic culture?  And most importantly, what happened, and did it work?   Stamie's thoughtful approach is sure to give you ideas about creating a culture of philanthropy at your current organization, as well as help you map out a plan for your next nonprofit leadership opportunity. 

"A culture of philanthropy is an attitude where every single person in the organization supports fundraising and agrees that it is an important priority."

ABOUT STAMIE

Stamie consults nonprofit organizations in the areas of strategic planning, change management and succession, special events and fundraising. She recently completed her tenure as Executive Director of Susan G. Komen Charlotte which to date has invested in the Greater Charlotte region over $17M in action, care and community and almost $7M in research to prevent and cure breast cancer. Prior to Komen, Stamie served as Director of Alumni Relations and External Constituents at UNC Charlotte's William States Lee College of Engineering. Prior to working at the College, Stamie managed a nonprofit which provided funding to children with cancer for art therapy. She was honored as a 2019 nominee for Charlotte Athena Leadership Award for Service, and received the Health and Human Services Crowning Achiever Award from the Crown Jewels (NC) Chapter of the Links, Inc., for her work at Komen Charlotte and health disparities.  Stamie has been a member of the local Charlotte Chapter of the AFP, involved in her church's women's philanthropic society and a member of Atrium Health's Dreamcatcher Society.  She holds a Masters in Teaching degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Monmouth University, NJ, a Bachelor's Degree in Economics, Cum Laude, from Smith College, Massachusetts, and a Non-Profit Management Certificate from Duke University.

EPISODE TOPICS & RESOURCES