We are merely a few days away from the February 27^th Master Fundraiser Forum and Rabbi Simcha Scholar, M.B.A., M.A., Executive Vice President of Chai Lifeline, comments that he is eager to address the crowd as well as hear from the other presenters.

“In order to be successful in raising funds within the Jewish community, you must know how to deal with various unique dynamics,” he says. “This forum features diverse perspectives from a wide array of distinguished professionals in the field, so there is something there for everyone.”

Rabbi Scholar will IY”H join another eight top-caliber speakers at the 12 hour forum, titled “The Winning Edge,” and presented by Bottom Line Marketing Group. In addition to the sessions itself, the participants will spend a day in an environment of great camaraderie, with a unique opportunity to network with and exchange ideas with peers in the field.

The man who turned a small scale chesed project into an international powerhouse, servicing over 4,500 children with terminal illnesses R”l, needs no introduction, but his experiences along the journey are far less known. In his keynote address, Rabbi Scholar will share invaluable anecdotes and perspectives on how to utilize focused vision and skills to build and maintain an effective mosad or organization.

Rav Dovid Goldwasser, Rav of Congregation Bnei Yitzchok and noted author and lecturer, will apply his renowned motivational insight and dynamic articulacy to the world of a fundraiser, to devise a step by step process to remain driven and focused while facing the stress and setbacks associated with the role.

General focus and determination are no doubt crucial to the success of an institution or organization, but the dollar amount raised does eventually boil down to the details.

Rabbi Richard C. Bieler, Founder of R. Bieler Consulting and former Senior Executive Director for Community Affairs at Yeshiva University (YU), will offer practical suggestions on how maximize the potential of individual  donors. Rabbi Bieler has spent decades successfully doing just that for institutions such as Yeshiva University and Ohel, and will offer invaluable tips on how to best initiate and negotiate gifts, develop short and long term fundraising plans regarding donors, and working with individuals and foundations to develop major support.

Through his over two decades of experience servicing hundreds of non-profit, political and corporate clients, Yitzchok Saftlas, President of Bottom Line Marketing Group, has seen it all. Marketing for such a diverse group of clients, each with unique circumstances, requires unbridled energy, optimism and creativity. His address will help attendees tap into their creative side and zero in on the most effective marketing and fundraising strategies to shape their institutions’ image, and ultimately their level of success.

One key fundraising staple for our community’s mosdos has long been dinners, concerts and other events, and Norman B. Gildin of Strategic Fundraising Group LLC has earned a reputation over the decades as a leading pro in this arena. Mr. Gildin played a key role in the success of events benefitting OHEL, Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Foundation and other prominent organizations. Attendees at the forum will get to hear a host of Mr. Gildin’s real world secrets to maximize turnout and donations at events while staying within the operating budget.

Another key session will cut to the heart of it all: interaction with the donor! After all is said and done, fundraising success boils down to interacting and communicating to the donors heart, mind and desires. Richard Jedwab, CEO of Silk Tree Capital Partners, is a renowned philanthropist who has contributed towards and actively participated in various charitable causes over the decades. He will relate keen firsthand insights into what makes donors tick the right – and wrong – way.

An innovative “Fundraising Inspiration Workshop” will be held by several energetic stars in our community. Rabbi Eliezer Stern, CEO of Yeshiva of Spring Valley, will share various lessons he learned during the successful fundraising campaign he ran for a new 11 acre campus, with a 100,000 square foot building, for the mosad. Shea Rubenstein, President of The Landmark Group and Vice President of the JCC of Marine Park, will share some of his perspectives on the successful “Music Videos, Legislative Breakfasts and More!” that he has partaken in. The 3^rd part of this presentation will come from Marty Siegmeister, National Sales Manager for Allied Imports, who has a lifetime of experience in the food and beverage industry, including with Royal Wines. Mr. Siegmeister’s “From the Grapevine: Uncorking Ideas with Wine” presentation will focus on injecting food, beverage and kosher entertainment to maximize profit for leadership missions.

In-the-box, out-of-the-box, old school and new school, will all have full play time at the forum. There will be an opportunity for attendees to ask questions of each presenter, as well as enjoy three gourmet meals and have time to network and interact with peers. Adds Rabbi Scholar, “Bringing this wealth of inspiration and skills into one room is critical to the future of our community.”

Attendance at the Master Fundraiser Forum this Wednesday, 2/27, is by RSVP only. Only a limited amount of slots are still left, available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, please visit www.masterfundraiser.com or call 718-412-3520.