Learn From My Experiences

Learn From My Experiences is a collection of essays penned by the author Norman B. Gildin who offers professional fundraisers, lay leaders, volunteers and the general public his perspective and the benefit of nearly four and a half decades raising more than $93 million for nonprofit organizations. Each chapter tackles a different fundraising topic and addresses techniques and methodologies considered best practices in the field of Development. There also is a special section whose focus is possible outcomes of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic on fundraising. The author hopes that readers will learn important lessons from his decades of experience that can be practically applied today. In his words, "These essays are opportunities on how to best approach donors for major gifts, conduct special events and design and establish many programs to raise money for nonprofits." With more than 1.6 million nonprofits in the United States, there is something here for everyone. This book is meant to be an easy read. You can pick it up and read through the book, or just glance at chapter headings in the Table of Contents and read chapters that interest you. Simple. This book is intended to help not only Development professionals, but also lay leadership, volunteers, and even the public, which are involved in fundraising. Is it an exhaustive description of every kind of fundraising? No, but it does address the major categories of giving which are annual campaigns, capital campaigns, planned giving and endowment fund giving. Some more; some less. You be the judge. Finally, the general public will find this book fascinating because everyone has a pet charity or project which they support or for whom they want to raise funds. It gives the novice and, even, the veteran fundraiser a taste of what it takes to raise money for a nonprofit organization. Through anecdotal stories, people will be informed, amused, surprised and taken by what it takes to support worthy organizations whose purpose is to help the less fortunate and vulnerable in society.

NORMAN B. GILDIN is an experienced fund raiser guided by principles of strategic planning that have been the hallmarks of his success. His background encompasses the four major types of fund raising – annual campaigns, building fund and capital campaigns, planned giving and endowment fund giving. Mr. Gildin believes in a well-organized, methodical approach to Development. He offers a sophisticated approach to fundraising with emphasis on the strategic planning required for this task. During his career Gildin was results oriented and that meant getting the job done. At Migdal Ohr, an Israeli based organization for poor and disadvantaged children and families in Israel, he shepherded the American Office to $16.6 million raised while serving as its Executive Vice President. During his tenure at OHEL Children's Home & Family Services, his leadership resulted in more than $30 million raised toward the annual campaign, and between $9-$10 million toward the capital campaign. In his eighteen-year tenure at Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Foundation, Norman's leadership approach raised more than $30 million in annual and capital funds primarily through private sector fundraising. Norman handled the fund-raising activities of the Women's Auxiliary at the Jewish Home for the Elderly of Fairfield, Connecticut where there were 1,000 members when he started and more than 4,000 members at the end of his term. Early in his career, he annually raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for special events and activities at the Jewish Home. He spearheaded multiple successful fundraising campaigns and developed strategic plans and case statements to raise essential funds. He has strong public relations and marketing experience and is a proven leader in the use of Social Media including Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Reddit and Instagram. Gildin is formerly a licensed nursing home administrator in NY and NJ. He also has lectured, published and served as a volunteer/consultant for various not-for-profit organizations. Gildin is currently a regular columnist for the Sun-Sentinel Florida Jewish Journal, Gateway Gazette and The Jewish Link of New Jersey. Norman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Yeshiva University in New York. He later obtained his master's degree in Health Care Administration from the George Washington University, School of Government and Business Administration, Washington, D. C. Mr. Gildin lives with his wife Barbara in Boynton Beach, Florida and previously lived in Teaneck, N.J. and Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are the proud parents of five children and grandparents to sixteen grandchildren.