Katie delivers powerful, yet understandable, messages to support leadership within or on behalf of nonprofit organizations, working with all levels of professionals. With this background, Katie is committed to fostering leadership for the boards of community nonprofits, which is in sync with corporate America as it seeks to give back to communities, empowering employees to be personally involved. Many businesses place this goal at the core of a company’s culture. Katie is able to offer factual ideas and advice by presenting formulas so that nonprofit board members/leaders can genuinely help nonprofits raise funds as sustainable revenue. And, these skills are transferable so that attendees are bound to grow in professional, leadership, and community awareness as well. A few elements to give a sense of my presentation approach:
How to help people make “the ask”
Build strength of corporation leadership through involvement in the community and building our community
Learn more as a leader
Help an individual be stronger as a leader, in day jobs, and as a community leader, as a board member
What is transferable? Sales, customer service, client management/donor management and more
“You have to have profits or you can't be in business”.
““Katie is an enthusiastic presenter and amazing teacher. She makes the difficult subject of resource development understandable and more importantly, something you can accomplish. She gives actionable examples that leaves participants ready to move forward! Her approach is masterful, and her results speaks for themselves. With Katie, you are excited to tell your story and help others connect philanthropically with your mission.””
Katie presents for ongoing speaking engagements on behalf of Kathy's House that are not recorded (2018-2024). These presentations to community groups raise awareness about Kathy’s House, including Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs, Masons groups, and women’s philanthropy groups.
For Sparks Collaborative Results, she has spoken multiple times in the last three years.
““Katie Sparks is a genuine person with a passion for connecting with her audiences. She has an incredible ability to engage and motivate through her heartfelt words and stories. Katie doesn’t just speak; she listens and builds meaningful relationships with those she meets. Her enthusiasm for community and authentic connection shines through in every connection she makes.””
Katie will be presenting to 26 Boys & Girls Clubs throughout the Wisconsin about fund development and rural fundraising.
Katie will be presenting two webinars about “Raising the Most Money at Year-End.”
““Katie Sparks is a dynamic enthusiastic speaker who is passionate about her subject. It goes without saying that she is knowledgeable and very clear in her message, a pleasure to listen to.””
Katie presented in a 5-part series about fundraising and philanthropy. The audience was nonprofit organizations from across the USA who were interested in year-end fundraising and overall organizational fundraising and revenue, as members of the Kindest online giving platform. These included small to mid size, mostly grassroots organizations, some executive directors, some development directors, and some board leaders depending on their organization size.
Raising the Most Money at Year-End (Part 1): 11-8-2021
Raising the Most Money at Year-End (Part 2): 11-15-2021
Involving Others in Fundraising: 11-22-2021
Focus on ROI: Where am I leaving money on the table?: 12-6-2021
Show them your mission… And they show you the money! 12-13-2021
On March 26, 2021, Katie was invited as a guest speaker by Jason Parry (Penfield Children’s Center) during the "Fundraising & Development in the Nonprofit Sector" course among graduate students at University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee’s Master of Science in Nonprofit Management and Leadership through the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management (offered by the College of Letters & Science and the Lubar School of Business).
On July 1, 2020, Katie was the featured guest speaker during the “Put You On Notice (PYON)” podcast. This was an interview by three interviewers about my background in philanthropy, fundraising, nonprofits, and throughout the community. Virtual podcast with Q&A from a panel of these three interviewers.