About

About Jeff Bagel, CFRE

Jeff Bagel

Jeff is a Principal with eAdvancement Consulting and has extensive experience in leading organizations to maximize their potential through fundraising, volunteer and board development, the creation of annual fundraising plans and multi-year strategic plans, and the development of alumni and member programs.

Jeff was honored as 2012’s Western New York Fundraising Executive of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and has served as an adjunct faculty member in Canisius College’s Fundamentals of Fund Raising program. A graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute at the Center of Philanthropy at Indiana University, he was one of four people nationally selected to serve as a facilitator at the Executive Leadership Institute in 2000.

Jeff’s first book, "Annual Fundraising Plans Made Simple: A Road Map for Community Colleges and Small Development Shops", was released in the fall of 2016 by CASE Publishing. It is CASE’s top-selling book in its category since 2017. Now in its second printing, Jeff's book has become a solid resource for fundraising professionals across the globe.

In 2017, Jeff was a contributing author for the annual giving module in the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ “Fundamentals of Fundraising Course” Participants Manual, which is distributed worldwide to students enrolled in the program.

Jeff is involved in numerous community organizations and activities. He recently served as Immediate Past President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Western New York Chapter, and as Chairman of MusicalFare Theatre in Buffalo, NY.

Jeff's book, Annual Fundraising Plans Made Simple

If you are one of the many talented, dedicated people who tend to rush from one urgent deadline to the next, then Jeff Bagel, CFRE has thrown you a lifeline. Jeff makes a compelling case for developing a realistic annual fundraising plan and provides specific practical guidance and templates adaptable to institutions of any size and facing any set of circumstances. Jeff shows how proper planning can optimize your performance and that of your fundraising operation, as well as improve relationships with your supervisor, board members and colleagues. His book, now in its second printing, has become a solid resource for fundraising professional across the globe.

Best Seller, worldwide, Case publishing.

Jeff in Action ...

“Gifts from the Heart” is a television program that aired multiple times on WBBZ TV. Jeff created the concept for “Gifts from the Heart” and also served as a producer of the show. Jeff provided in-studio analysis, discussing both the impact philanthropy has on a community and the ethics of professional fundraising. The program won the New York State Broadcasters Award for Best Community Service Program.

Jeff Bagel, Author: Annual Fundraising Plans Made Simple -- Lemur Studios Presents Episode 008

Jeff explains why it's so important for your organization to have an annual fundraising plan. His best selling book teaches how to get organized and maintain meaningful relationships with donors to your organization.

As a Speaker ...

Ask Jeff to speak at your next conference, retreat or symposium or to develop and present a dynamic and engaging webinar.

Here’s what organizers say about Jeff:

Jeff regularly speaks on fundraising and alumni relations at both regional and national CASE conferences. He consistently receives high ratings by attendees who specifically appreciate the way he engages his audience, injects humor into his presentations and breaks complex concepts and strategies into step-by-step processes.
Marc Westenburg
Director, Center for Community College Advancement
CASE


Jeff was the highest-rated speaker at our 2017 Fundraising Symposium. Due to member interest, we brought him back to kickoff our fall program series.
Pamela Witter, CFRE
President
AFP, WNY Chapter


"Jeff conducted a webinar for our clients that was great because the attendees walked away understanding clear next steps they could take in order to succeed. We heard from several of the attendees that Jeff’s webinar helped provide a new perspective to their fundraising and annual planning.
Brooke Grimes
Director of Marketing, AcademicWorks


Here’s what participants say about Jeff:

- “This session was worth the whole cost of the conference

- “By far the best presentation all week. Jeff provided applicable information that I could take back and adapt and use easily. Awesome presentation skill. Totally engaging. I would have been happy to sit in his classes for three straight days because his information was so valuable.

- “This was a great session. Jeff was engaging as a presenter and gave solid, takeaway information that can be implemented immediately.

- “This session was exceptional for its substantive, tangible content. Jeff is a humorous, knowledgeable presenter who covers material thoroughly and is responsive to questions from participants.

EVENTS

Speaking Engagements:

Upcoming

Erie Non Profit Partnership
Erie, PA
June 16, 2020
(virtual)

CASE 2020 Newcomer’s Workshop
Community College Conference
Featured Speaker
October 7, 2020
(virtual)

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
“If Not Now…When?
Opportunities to Strengthen Your Organization & Yourself”
(virtual)
October 14, 2020

Hospice & Palliative Care Association of New York State
“Annual Fundraising Plans Made Simple”
(virtual)
November 5, 2020

Past Events

2019

Museum Association of New York (MANY)
Regional Conference
Buffalo, NY
September 11, 2019
https://nysmuseums.org/

CASE Conference for Community Colleges
San Diego, CA
October 2, 2019
Featured Speaker
https://www.case.org/events/conference-community-college-advancement

Rotary International Conference
Keynote Speaker
October 19, 2019
Niagara-on-the-Lake
Ontario, Canada
Youth7090.org

Erie Non Profit Day “Better Together”
Erie, PA
October 29, 2019
www.yournpp.org

Museum Association of New York (MANY)
Annual Conference
Cooperstown, NY April 8, 2019
Lasalle.force.com

Annual Giving Workshop
Keynote Speaker
July 11, 2019
Lasalle University
Philadelphia, PA
Lasalle.force.com

 

2018

NEAG
Northeast Annual Giving Conference
May 22, 2018
Hartwick College

Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)
Locust Hill Country Club
Rochester, NY

CASE Conference for Community Colleges
Palm Springs, CA

Webinar:

“Taking Donor Stewardship to the Next Level”
AcademicWorks Blackbaud

Associations and Affiliations

CFRE International certifies experienced fundraising professionals aspiring to the highest standards of ethics, competence and service to the philanthropic sector. Jeff Bagel, CFRE earned his designation in 1999 and was most recently recertified in 2017.


The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) is one of the world’s largest nonprofit educational associations. It has more than 3,670 members institutions and serves nearly 81,000 professionals. In addition to being a CASE published author, Jeff Bagel, CFRE is also a frequent speaker at CASE conferences and webinars.


The Authors Guild is the nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers. Since its beginnings over a century ago, the Authors Guild has served as the collective voice of American Authors. Jeff Bagel, CFRE became eligible for membership and joined the Authors Guild in 2015.


The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) represents more than 30,000 members in more than 230 chapters throughout the world, working to advance philanthropy and promote high ethical standards in the fundraising profession. Jeff Bagel, CFRE received the 2012 Fundraising Executive of the Year award from the AFP WNY Chapter. He currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the WNY Chapter and is a frequent speaker at AFP meetings and conferences. In 2017, Jeff was a contributing author for the annual giving module in the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ (AFP) “Fundamentals of Fundraising Course” Participants Manual, which is distributed worldwide to students enrolled in the program.


AcademicWorks is an industry-leading provider of cloud-based administrative solutions for institutions of higher education and nonprofits. Jeff Bagel, CFRE designed and presented a webinar for AcademicWorks’ clients that provided strategies to improve their scholarship programs and integrate their scholarship programs into their annual fundraising plans.