Robert Hofmann, M.A., CFRE, is a distinguished fundraising professional and thought leader who has dedicated his career to the evolving challenges of an aging population. Recognized as one of only 7,700 Certified Fund-Raising Executives (CFRE) worldwide, Mr. Hofmann is co-leading an initiative that addresses the critical need for fundraising professionals to meet the complex needs of donors affected by dementia.

According to The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). approximately 10 percent of individuals older than 65 experience dementia, and its prevalence increases with age. About half of those older than 80 will have this diagnosis. Top gift donors are often among the population that most frequently experience dementia.

Despite these growing numbers, philanthropy currently lacks standardized training, policies, or procedures to guide professionals in recognizing cognitive impairment among donors. This gap presents ethical and practical challenges in donor engagement, communication, and intent documentation.

To address these concerns, Hofmann’s team has developed guidelines to help fundraising professionals recognize, prevent, and resolve communication breakdowns when working with donors with cognitive challenges. This presentation offers insights and best practices to ensure ethical, transparent, and informed donor engagement.

Fundraising can be challenging under the best of circumstances. But what happens when your most generous supporters are stricken with memory loss or dementia? Join Robert Hofmann and Positively Asheville for this timely discussion. Registration is required to obtain the link to this clinic.