Each ILD participant completes a capstone project during the year and presents that project to a panel of local experts during the last class session. Participants select their own capstone topic, complete a written paper (up to 10 pages) and design a presentation based on personal career goals or current professional challenges at their organization.
Capstone projects have been implemented in organizations throughout Colorado and have contributed to:
- successful campaigns
- establishing a major gifts program
- giving strategies
- gift planning, blended gifts
- addressing challenges within our sector
- community-centered fundraising strategies
- development planning for small shops, and more!
In addition, alumni have presented their capstone projects at local, regional, and national conferences, including:
- Jaime Marston Cook, ILD '20 - AFP Colorado Chapter RMPI Conference
- Andrea Pacheco, ILD '21 - AFP Colorado Chapter RMPI Conference, Institute for Leaders in Development
- Rebekah Mitchell, ILD '19 - National Association of Charitable Gift Planners Conference
- Rachel Hutchens, ILD '22 - Colorado Nonprofit Association Annual Conference
- Katy Kotlarczyk, ILD '15 - National Conference on Philanthropic Planning
- Allison Krebs, ILD '13 - AFP Colorado Chapter RMPI Conference
- Samantha (Sam) Walsh, ILD '17 - Institute for Leaders in Development
- Lauren Wise, ILD '20 - Academic Impressions Workshops, Institute for Leaders in Development
“...I used my capstone to create a corporate giving program along with donor recognition packages. From the capstone meetings with fundraising experts, I learned so much about this role. I do not know how long it would have taken me to get to this point without ILD.” --ILD Participant
