Luncheon Program from 11:45 am – 1:00 pm

“Mind the Gap: Building a Mid-Level Giving Program”

Presented by

Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE, Vice President of Development, HelpCureHD
Barbara Caldwell, Assistant Director of Development, Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts Foundation

So much attention is spent on annual fund and major gifts, but mid-level giving plays an important role in your donor pipeline. Join Sarah Cortell Vandersypen and Barbara Caldwell to understand how to excel in creating meaningful relationships with these donors, how to properly move donors in and out of mid-level, and how to drive increased revenue for your organization. 

Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE

With more than 12 years of fundraising experience, Sarah Cortell Vandersypen, CFRE recently joined the national nonprofit, HelpCureHD, as its Vice President of Development. HelpCureHD was founded by TNT sports reporter Allie LaForce and Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Smith to cure Huntington’s Disease one family at a time. Additionally, Sarah maintains her consulting firm Philanthropic Partners, which is focused on fundraising and nonprofit training and coaching. Through her consulting services and trainings, Sarah shows organizations how to raise funds more effectively while making meaningful connections for donors.

Sarah received her Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation in 2016. She holds a Master’s Degree in Arts Policy and Administration from The Ohio State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History from Boston University. She earned a Certificate of Nonprofit Board Consulting from BoardSource in 2019. Sarah is a past AFP Global Board Member and currently serves on the AFP Global Nominating Committee and ICON Advisory Committee.

Barbara Caldwell

Barbara Caldwell currently serves as the Assistant Director of Development at the Louisiana School for Math, Science and the Arts in Natchitoches, LA. Barbara graduated from Vanderbilt University with a degree in Biology and had hopes of becoming a veterinarian, but fate had other plans! She has been working in the non-profit sector for over 30 years and began her career at the Audubon Zoo. She has experience in all aspects of fundraising including board relations, strategic planning, special events, planned giving, donor relations, annual giving, major gifts and mid-level gifts. Barbara has worked for both small and large nonprofits, so she has had the opportunity to work in many different workplace environments. Her current work environment is her favorite – her home office! Barbara is able to work remotely for LSMSA, where she directs their annual and mid-level programs.

To feed her artistic side, Barbara creates handcrafted beaded jewelry and rosaries, which she sells at local craft shows and on her website. When not working, you can find Barbara at home with her husband, Jack, and their 3 furbabies – 2 standard poodles named Rocky and Moose, and a pug named Pippa. She is a grandmother of three boys and a girl due in two months!

CFRE Approved Credit Hours: 2 PTS