5 Ways to Ratchet Up Your Fundraising Using LinkedIn

Geri Stengel is A "graduate" of the corporate world, Geri is also a mentor and teacher, who is up to date on the latest and best marketing practices, including technology and social media.

At Ventureneer, Geri uses Web 2.0 technology to make networking and learning affordable, convenient, and effective, and to market Ventureneer's services. Yes, she tweets, blogs, networks on LinkedIn and Facebook, and tracks the results of each.

Bottom line: Geri knows teaching, she knows nonprofits, and she knows social media so she can help you bring your marketing, development or fundraising plan into the 21st century without numbing your mind with jargon or "computerese."

Marc W. Halpert is Managing Partner, Your Best Interest LLC and its divisions: e-giving and connect2collaborate.

Since leaving the corporate world in 2001, Halpert has started two companies offering paperless electronic payment services to optimize the cash flow of and speed collections to:

• retailers, particularly small- and mid-sized businesses (Your Best Interest LLC)
• professional and membership groups, and not-for-profit organizations (e-giving).

In his latest business, Connect2Collaborate, Halpert uses his skills in networking and his LinkedIn evangelism to train and coach others. Connect2Collaborate gives business people with whom he connects the opportunity to become clients of his customized cash flow and payment services. Everyone benefits simultaneously: improved business cash flow and new business collaboration.

Maria Semple is principle of The Prospect Finder LLC, an organization that helps nonprofit organizations and financial advisors identify their best matches for donors or client prospects. Her firm specializes in prospect research on high-net-worth individuals, foundations. and corporations. She also provides training seminars and webinars for staff members who wish to augment their prospect research skills.

Semple is a highly sought-after speaker whose past speaking engagements have included the Association of Professional Researchers for Advancement, the Support Center for Nonprofit Management, and New York University’s Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising. In 2007, she authored two downloadable and interactive prospecting tools, which include an extensive compilation of research resources.