In his July 2022 Chronicle of Philanthropy cover story, “The Giving Crisis: How Fundraising Can Bring Americans Back to Giving – If It Changes,” Drew Lindsay wrote that the “nonprofit industry [is] staring down the hard truth of declining rates of giving. Fewer than half of American households give to charity, down from two-thirds in the early 2000s.”

On September 8, 2022,  we will discuss fundraising in 2022. Drew will join us during this virtual program to provide an overview of the national trends highlighted in his articles, including data from the Giving USA 2022 report. Shaké Sulikyan will moderate an interactive discussion comparing and contrasting the national trends with Bay Area insights. Our panelists, Marisa Melo, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Alameda County, Aarika Riddle, Executive Director of Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream, and Lisa Tromovitch, Founding Artistic Director of SPARC, will share their perspectives on the national trends and how their organizations are engaging more donors and volunteers. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and share their own success stories.

Please note: this online program has a special start time of 10:00am PDT.

Shaké Sulikyan is a nationally recognized nonprofit executive and change-maker. She’s dedicated her life to making the world a better place. Shaké has over two decades of experience in aligning talent and resources to drive large-scale initiatives, build fruitful relationships, and reach record-breaking goals. Her nonprofit career includes roles in healthcare, academic medicine, higher education, social service and nonprofit organizations throughout the United States. In January 2022, she joined Boyden as an Executive Search Consultant and Senior Advisor, helping to build their social impact/nonprofit practice in the U.S. She moved to the U.S. at the age of 12 and currently lives in Livermore, CA with her husband and 10-year-old son.

Drew Lindsay is a longtime magazine writer and editor who joined the Chronicle of Philanthropy in 2014. He previously worked at Washingtonian magazine and was a principal editor for Teacher and MHQ, which were both selected as finalists for a National Magazine Award for general excellence. In 2005, he was one of 18 journalists selected for a yearlong Knight-Wallace Fellowship at the University of Michigan.

Marisa Melo is dedicated to serving the seniors in our community. As Executive Director, she manages overall strategic and operations initiatives for Meals on Wheels of Alameda County. She leads staff and fundraising activities while managing the organization’s Board of Directors, relationships with Meals on Wheels programs, and other partners. Marisa serves as MOWAC’s leader in forging alliances with corporations, government officials, and community organizations.

Aarika Riddle has spent her career in service to youth focused non-profit organizations. She is passionate about early literacy and closing the opportunity gap for students. Prior to joining Kristi Yamaguchi’s Always Dream in 2020, she served as a Senior Executive Director at Reading Partners in the San Francisco Bay Area. Born and raised in Hawaii, Aarika lives in Oakland with her husband and two young sons.

Lisa A. Tromovitch has dedicated her life to the arts as a director and teacher. As the Founding Artistic Director of SPARC she has helped built community in the region through the production of high-quality theatrical experiences for nearly 20 years. She is also a tenured professor of Media X at University of the Pacific. In addition, her volunteer experience includes serving on the Executive Committee of Board of Directors, Bangor Convention & Visitors Bureau; Founding Chair, Bangor Region Arts Council; Selection Committee, Playwrights Foundation, Bay Area Playwrights Festival; Board of Directors, Dartmouth Club of Greater San Francisco; and much more.