Julia Emlen

Julia Emlen is principal of Julia S. Emlen Associates. Since 1996, she has consulted with organizations across the nonprofit spectrum, including secondary and higher education, land conservation, health care and the arts. Her work has included consultation on stewardship and donor relations, fundraising, organizational development, campaign management, strategic communications planning, executive and staff coaching and board training. She is the author of Intentional Stewardship: Bringing Your Donors to Their Highest Level of Philanthropy (CASE Books, 2006) and "Steering Through Stewardship," (CURRENTS magazine, Dec. 2009).

Emlen views stewardship and donor relations as outcomes of excellent planning and management rather than solely as programs or activities directed at recognizing or acknowledging donors. Her consultative work in stewardship and donor relations begins with an assessment of how an organization fulfills the statements of the Donor Bill of Rights; interventions are aimed at increasing alignment of the organization's communications, operations and relationship management with the Donor Bill of Rights. Along the way, she is frequently involved in coaching directors, board members and staff. Her efforts all seek to ensure that every member of an organization understands the importance of stewardship and donor relations as a means of attracting and sustaining philanthropic support for the institution.

She holds degrees in English literature and geography and an advanced degree in nursing. She has an extensive background in teaching as well as twenty years of experience in fundraising and nonprofit management. She is a frequent presenter for AFP and CASE, and has chaired the CASE Annual Meeting for Donor Relations and Stewardship. She holds the CASE Crystal Apple Award for Teaching Excellence. She is a member of the Association of Philanthropic Counsel and the Association of Donor Relations Professionals. She is an affiliate of Marts and Lundy, and an adjunct faculty member at Johnson & Wales University, teaching an undergraduate course on philanthropy and fundraising. She serves as chair of the board of directors of the Center for Northern Woodlands Education.

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