Diversifying Fundraising for Nonprofits
Hosted by Molloy University School of Business | Funded by a generous grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
May 2, 2025
Molloy University – Rockville Centre, NY
Overview
The Molloy University School of Business welcomed nonprofit leaders, funders, and corporate partners from across Long Island for a powerful day of learning, connection, and strategy. With the support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, this conference addressed critical questions facing the nonprofit sector: How do we sustain our missions? Where is philanthropy headed? And how can we innovate our approach to fundraising?
Keynote Presentation: Bringing Your Nonprofit’s Story to Life Using AI
Speaker: Dr. Alexander Chan
Assistant Professor of Business Analytics, Molloy University
Dr. Chan delivered an engaging and interactive presentation that introduced nonprofit leaders to the power of artificial intelligence in storytelling and donor engagement.
Dr. Alexander Chan began his academic journey at Cardiff University, earning a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence. He held global leadership roles for over 15 years, managing clients like Google, Samsung, and Microsoft. Formerly Head of the Centre for Management and Innovation at the University of Hong Kong, he later founded Brainy Alliance, a corporate training firm. Dr. Chan joined Molloy in 2023 and is passionate about helping organizations innovate through data and technology.
Panel 1: Partnering for a Purpose – Corporate and Foundation Insights
Moderator: Rose M. Lavelle, MBA
Professor of Practice, Grant Administrator – Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
This session explored strategic partnerships that strengthen community outcomes through corporate social responsibility and foundation support.
Panelists
David M. Rottkamp, CPA – Partner & Nonprofit Practice Leader, Grassi
With over 37 years of experience providing audit and advisory services to nonprofit and healthcare organizations. David specializes in serving a broad range of entities, including those focused on special needs, social services, education, arts and culture, and healthcare. David is a recognized industry authority, frequently presenting on topics such as board governance, government funding, compliance, and financial reporting. He has held leadership roles in professional associations like the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants. and contributes to policy development and education through board memberships, committee work, and his role as an adjunct professor at NYU. David also serves on the boards of the National MS Society, BoardStrong, and NY Council of Nonprofits.
Melissa Stark – Sales Manager, Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, and DG Foundation
Melissa has played a key role with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty with wide ranging responsibilities in administration and management, in addition to spearheading corporate and community events, industry conferences, and leading corporate charitable contributions and sponsorships including Pink Aid Long Island, Huntington Hospital, and The Heckscher Museum of Arts.
With nearly six years in corporate leadership roles and a successful track record as an associate broker, Melissa brings a deep understanding of the real estate business and a strong commitment to the company’s mission. These experiences have uniquely prepared her for her current position as Sales Manager for the Huntington, Cold Spring Harbor, and Northport offices of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. Melissa also plays an important role as board member of the recently formed, DG Foundation, the organization’s philanthropic arm.
Heather Edwards – Executive Director, Allied Foundation
With over 20 years in philanthropy, Heather leads a pediatrician-founded nonprofit focused on community health outcomes. She is a mission-driven development professional who is passionate about generating philanthropic support to advance the mission of the organization that she serves. She has spent over 20 years inspiring philanthropy in healthcare, higher education and social service agencies. She is the current Executive Director of Allied Foundation, a for-impact, 501C3 organization, founded by pediatricians of Allied Physicians Group committed to improving the health and well-being of people in our community.
Panel 2: From Scarcity to Strategy – Navigating Government Grant Reductions
Moderator: Dr. Donna Iucolano
Assistant Professor, Molloy School of Business
This panel explored how nonprofits can adapt to shifting public funding through strategic planning and collaboration.
Panelists
Dr. Sherry Radowitz – Senior Director of Grants & Sponsored Programs, Molloy University
Sherry has been a grants professional in education and human services for over 45 years with experience in both grant seeking and grantmaking. During her more than 18-year tenure at Molloy, more than 370 grant awards have supported programs, academic services, scholarships, capital expansion, curriculum, research, and professional development. Her proposal development and grants management training has helped build capacity; internal and external collaborative efforts have launched several new campus initiatives. An expert in nonprofit management and fundraising, Sherry has been a consultant and dedicated volunteer for several nonprofits.
Melissa Greenberger – Program Director, New York Community Trust
Melissa oversees grantmaking on Long Island in the arts, the environment, health, mental health, hunger, and technical assistance.
Prior to joining The Trust, Melissa was senior staff attorney for Pro Bono Partnership’s Long Island office. She teaches law and ethics courses at Suffolk County Community College. Melissa is a graduate of Dickinson College and Touro Law Center and is admitted to the New York State Bar. She is a member of the Suffolk County Courts Women in the Courts Committee and sits on the advisory board of Career Day, Inc.
Christine Deska – President & Co-Founder, Nonprofit Sector Strategies / BellesBoard
Christine is the President and Co-Founder of Nonprofit Sector Strategies, a public benefit corporation dedicated to helping nonprofits maximize mission impact through strategic planning and board management services. BellesBoard, its signature product, is a board management software solution and mobile app that grows nonprofit boards’ efficiency, engagement and fundraising. Christine has more than 15 years of experience working in and with nonprofit organizations, foundations, and government agencies.
Networking Lunch
Following the keynote and panel sessions, attendees gathered for a Networking Lunch that provided valuable time to connect, reflect, and exchange ideas. The lunch fostered deeper dialogue around the day’s themes and allowed nonprofit leaders, funders, and partners to continue building meaningful relationships sparked during the morning sessions.
Thank You
We extend heartfelt thanks to our moderators, panelists, and attendees for contributing to such a meaningful and timely event. The day reinforced the strength of collaboration and the power of innovation in the nonprofit sector. We are deeply grateful to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation for their continued generous support.
This conference was part of Molloy University’s Social Impact & Innovation Institute, committed to empowering nonprofit organizations across Long Island with the tools, partnerships, and strategies needed to thrive.