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Open Door Fund Ambassadors

Thank you for supporting the NCBF Open Door Fund as an Ambassador – we are very grateful for your time and support!

Goal: Help raise philanthropic revenue to reach $1 million goal by the end of 2025 Bar year.

Duration: July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025

Need: The Open Door Fund exists to further the NCBF’s commitment to living into our value of diversity, equity and inclusion. Our flagship program is the Open Door Fellowship. A unique, competitive opportunity for first-year North Carolina law students to gain hands-on legal experience, “open doors” to professional networks, and prepare for the next steps in their legal careers. After a successful first year in 2023 and continuing this summer, the Open Door Fellowship has been funded by the NCBF operating budget through donor support to the NCBF Annual Fund. With your help, this program and others will be secured for years to come by restricted funding through the Open Door Endowment Fund.

Responsibilities:

  • Make a personal gift/pledge to the Open Door Fund.
  • Personally identify and reach out to at least 10 prospective donors in your network.
  • Attend three Open Door Fund Gift Committee meetings to be held via Zoom in August, November and February.
  • Advocate for your organization to support the Open Door Fund.
  • Engage prospective donors by sharing information about the Fund and Fellowship through local bar organizations, professional events, and other interactions with members of our profession, law firms, corporations and organizations.

Important Dates and Next Steps:

  • By August 26: Share the names of 10 people you plan to ask for a gift to the Open Door Fund.  If you plan to host an event, contact Michael to discuss.
  • By September 20: Please make your personal gift or pledge.
  • By September 30: Make initial contact with your target list.
  • By October 30: Make an appeal to your firm/organization (Mark and Caryn are available to help).
  • Fall into Spring: Connect with any local bar organizations, professional associations or community groups where you are a member and share about the Open Door Fund and Fellowship (feel free to invite NCBF staff along!)
  • November 14: meeting via Zoom: At or before this meeting, please follow up as necessary with your target list to share an update on each.
  • February 11: meeting via Zoom: At or before this meeting, please follow up as necessary with your target list to share an update on each.
  • Ongoing: Provide real-time reports on contacts and responses to Jennifer for tracking ([email protected]).

Open Door Fund Ambassadors Tool Kit

 

Open Door Fund Ambassadors – FAQs

Q. How are students selected for the Open Door Fellowship opportunity? A. NCBF Open Door Fellows are selected through a competitive application process that is overseen by the NCBF Open Door Committee. The NCBF Open Door Committee is appointed annually by the NCBA+NCBF President. The NCBF Open Door Fellowship Committee includes representation from the NCBA Young Lawyers Division, NCBA Minorities…

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