Nonprofit institutions risk litigation, negative media, and loss of reputation or worse if they are not prepared with sound policies, procedures, and a trained professional staff when working with people who may have cognitive impairment due the onset of dementia and its common form, Alzheimer's disease. A team of charitable gift planning professionals, who led a summit on philanthropy and dementia in 2019, will provide attendees with an overview of the “fundraiser’s dementia dilemma”, an update on continuing research within the professional fundraising ranks, a review of case studies, and how one community foundation addressed issues identified in an audit. They will also share a preview of their work in developing a "Dementia in Philanthropy Guidebook'' with related case studies, suggested policies, and preferred practices. In a breakout session, attendees will work together to review situational case studies and test guidebook recommendations.
Robert Hofmann, MA, CFRE is a native of Minnesota. For the past fifteen years, he has worked at the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) as a Senior Development Officer. At UMD he has helped to raise more than $21M for student scholarships and programs. He is one of only 7,400 worldwide Certified Fund Raising Executives (CFRE), an internationally recognized credential within the fundraising profession. For more than eight years, Mr. Hofmann has co-led a cohort of professional fundraisers and researchers who strive to address the ethical and moral dilemma fundraisers face with an increase of dementia among faithful donors.
Mr. Hofmann is an active member the Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Association of Charitable Gift Planners, and the Council for Advancement and Support of Education serving in committee roles and as a frequent conference presenter. He is deeply committed to his Duluth community serving as recent Past Chair for the Depot Foundation, as an active member of Rotary Club of Duluth Club #25, and as a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He earned his master’s degree in theatre and business communications from Rhode Island College and his undergraduate degree in theatre from Saint John’s University of Collegeville, MN. He lives with his wife of 38 years Kathleen and their Blue Heeler dog, Laura, in Hermantown, Minnesota.
Lani A. McCollar is associate vice president of philanthropic counsel at BWF where she focuses on campaign readiness and counsel; major gifts; organizational strategic planning, assessments, and implementation; and board engagement. She has client experience in multiple sectors of philanthropy including but not limited to, arts/culture, education, environment, faith based, healthcare/medical research, and human services.
Ms. McCollar brings over 20 years of philanthropy leadership overseeing unprecedented growth both at Groves Academy and Metropolitan State University Foundation. Prior to joining BWF, she also privately consulted with St. Mary’s Foundation, Boys and Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, People Incorporated, Family Pathways, and CLUES. Ms. McCollar is recognized as a national thought leader and advocate in philanthropy both for organizations and for their donors suspected of or recently diagnosed with dementia. She has presented nationally and internationally at NACGP, AFP Global, AFP MN, MNCN, and Chicago CGP conferences. She received her B.B.A. with honors from the University of Iowa, and a condensed MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of St. Thomas. She currently is a board member for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Minnesota, (AFP MN) and is an active volunteer with many other nonprofit organizations.
Some BWF Clients include: South Dakota State University Foundation, The Bakken Museum, Summit Academy OIC, Wayzata Conservancy-Panoway, Basilica Landmark/Basilica of St. Mary, Epilepsy Foundation Minnesota, Wayside Recovery Center, Minneapolis Jewish Federation, Minnesota State Community and Technical College, Wisconsin Lutheran High School, and Springtide Research Institute.
